Hello, I was having a bit of a problem with a new rig I was putting together for a friend, and was wondering if any of you have any ideas.


So.. here's my problem.

The long and short of it, is after constructing the pc, I am not getting video display


System Specs

Video card:
7950 GTX BFG

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.40GHz Socket 775 OEM Processor

Ram:
2x sticks of OCZ 6400 1Gig Dual Chan

Motherboard:
ASUS P5N-E SLI


Power Supply:
Ultra LSP 550 Pro


I am getting power to the system board (green LED on system board shows it is taking power, and both fans are working.) The Video card works fine in another system, and when the video card is plugged into this system, its fan is spinning as well.

This card has two dvi slots, and I have tried both.

I am using the primary PCI E slot as I am only running one graphics card, and I have the SLI set appropriately to only run off of one card.

This motherboard does not have integrated video, and I have tried putting a card in as well, and I'm having the same issue. Using the same DVI cable and same monitor, I am able to get display from my other systems as well so I am certain it is not a monitor/dvi cable issue.

Voltage selector is correct, we have double checked all power connectors, can't find anything wrong.

Any suggestions?

You've tested the monitor on another rig right?

Quote: Originally Posted by Master Yunk You've tested the monitor on another rig right?

yes, proven working monitor (which I'm using right now actually with the same DVI cable)

Is the video card power connector connected properly? Is the power supply giving the video card enough power? defective power supply?

try using a pci vid card if you have one.another possibility is bad ram.

I will be digging up an old PCI video card today to see if I can get enough of a display to install some hardware drivers or something. The video card looks to be getting power as it its fan is spinning, and I have tried both of the PCIE power cables to no avail. It doesn't SEEM to be a bad power supply, but I'll do a voltage test today.

Thanks so far guys, I'll update you if the card works, and it only takes a minute to swap out ram so I'll try that now.

Quote: Originally Posted by Divine Kaos Thanks so far guys, I'll update you if the card works, and it only takes a minute to swap out ram so I'll try that now.

My first thought, when reading this thread, was that your PSU couldn't handle the video card. However, after checking specs on the vid card and the PSU, the PSU *theoretically* has enough Amps to drive that beast -- the card requires 27A on the +12v rail, and your PSU theoretically gives out 30A. However, the vid card also draws 147W, which is just under 30% of your PSU's total power, and that's your PSU's *load* is 550W (furthermore, your 78% efficiency rating is for Typical Load, not Full Load ... so your efficency drops at 550W ... so really, 440W, with the other 110W being dedicated to generating heat.)

My second thought, after reading the above information, is that you have a crap PSU. It's an Ultra, so that doesn't surprise me (dig through these forums and you'll hear plenty of talk about how Ultra's suck -- caveat being that their newer products seem to have improved, though I don't have first-hand experience with that, only with their older products that have screwed me and many other folks here.)

So ... have you tried swapping out the PSU for a better one? Got any other PSU's that can be put in its place?

Let us know how your RAM swap went ...

-godling

I'm going to go with a RAM problem as well. I had the same exact problem and it turned out that my RAM was horrendously corrupted.

[edit]
Additionally, take a look at the power charts on this page: AnandTech: ASUS P5N-E SLI: NVIDIA's 650i enters with a Bang your mobo, with an SLI draw (even though you're not in SLI) can take big power requirements. Again pointing to the concept that your Ultra PSU just might not be able to handle the load.
[/edit]

[second edit]
Somehow I was thinking of the 7950 GX2. To be honest, however, I can't find a BFG 7950 GTX, only a 7900GTX or a 7950GT, even at BFG's website. In any case, both of their power requirements are just under the GX2. Note that if you *are* running the GX2, there are motherboard compatability issues that requie a BIOS upgrade.
[/second edit]

-godling

Whoops.. my bad, i'm running 7950 GT OC. I'm swapping the ram right now, but I am unsure if the 7950 gt oc would require a bios upgrade or not. Keep me posted guys.

Edit: I replaced the Ram with known good working ram and no luck. I removed power going to the hdd, dvd drive, and usb hubs to see if I could even boot into the bios and still no go, so as much as the ulta psu can leave a bit to be desired for, it still should be able to power the board and video output...

Still awaiting the PCI card for testing.

My monitor has a DVI and a VGA output. If I have a cable attached to both outputs I don't get a signal out of the DVI.

I'm actually of the opinion that it's more than likely the POS Ultra Power Supply. But I thought I'd mention the cables just in case :-)

It could very well be a dead motherboard then.

Quote: Originally Posted by eascarface It could very well be a dead motherboard then.

This is merely scarface's attempt to steer Dan and I away from our ongoing vendetta against Ultra PSUs.

-godling

Quote: Originally Posted by godling This is merely scarface's attempt to steer Dan and I away from our ongoing vendetta against Ultra PSUs. -godling

HeHeHe. Ultra's really do SUCK :-)

I have to say your power supply is like the human heart. It's supplying all the life juice to all the major organs of your system. If you cheap out and buy a Ultra your just begging for a system attack. And just like the human body sometimes you can get a replacement and be good as new. But sometimes it blow's up and takes out other organs and leaves you totally lifeless. The choice is yours. How do you want to treat your Body/System :-)

Mine will never go Ultra. AKA Ultra Death :-)

I've tried a new power supply (not an ultra, one running from my server thats powering a half a dozen hdd as well as gaming quality hardware) and still no change. I'm going for the PCI card tomorrow (terribly difficult to find one around where I live), but I'm actually thinking it is the motherboard after all.