Hello everyone,
I have been a fan of this website for a long time for all my computing needs. Usually there is always a forum with the answer I need... however, this time I need to ask a question of my own.
I'm ready to pull my own hair out after two days of straight troubleshooting.
My problem is this: if I install my new XFX Radeon HD 4870 (or the ATI Radeon HD 4850 that I bought to test the problem) my screen does not turn on with any picture. I don't see the computer go through its POST/BIOS or anything. The monitor will say "Power save mode" sometimes, other times it will flash its little light like it is searching for a signal it can't quite grasp. The computer itself is still booting up though.... I can hear the little windows chime over my speakers after about 30 seconds (once it gets to the log in screen).
However, here is the strange part: if I plug in my PCI 1.0 GeForce 8600 my monitor will pick up a signal and the computer works fine. That being said, I have been sure to erase all the nVidia graphics drivers both from the add/remove programs and with "Driver Sweeper" to get all the loose ends before I attempt to put in the ATI cards.
I tested two different PSU's and neither of them did anything for either graphics card. I drove over two hours to my local Tiger Direct store to exchange the motherboard for a new one and that has not changed a thing. At the store, they tested the graphics card and said it was working fine.
My computer set up is as follows:
- Gigbyte GA-EP45-UD3R motherboard
- XFX Radeon HD 4870 (which I have not been able to use since nothing will show up on the monitor)... or the Radeon HD 4850 that I have also been testing with
- OCZ SLI 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz
- XION Power Real 1000W ATX Power Supply
- Windows 7 Professional
- Hitachi 7K1000.B Hard Drive (1 tb)
- Megavision MV220 22in 5ms DVI Black LCD Monitor
I would be so grateful if anyone could provide any insight into this.
Again, the main jist of it is this:
With my Geforce 8600 (old card from previous computer) plugged in everything will work fine.
As soon as I plug in either the 4870 or 4850 nothing will show up on the monitor at all.
I have tested two different PSU's, neither have made a difference (and the 1000W is brand new).
I have exchange the motherboard out for a new identical one and it did not change anything.
I have removed all previous drivers every way I am aware of.
I have tried it with different RAM in different combination's and it did not change anything.
If ANYONE can help me with this, I would be so very happy.
Thank you for your time,
Ryder
(A very frustrated PC builder who just wants to play Left For Dead 2 already!)