Video Problem

OK I don't know why but for a while now my PC has had some problems on Bootup. If for any reason I have to turn my machine off I can't turn it back on for almost an hour or longer. The PC itself boots up fine I just get no video. I'm running a Chaintech Geforce FX 5900XT well I would be if the damn thing worked.

I'm assuming the worse as in I am going to need a new video card. Unless of course someone has had this happen before and found some way to fix it?

Have you tried hooking up your monitor to another computer to see if it's the problem? Also, check the condition of the video cable and monitor power cord and their connectors. I always start troubleshooting the easy stuff first.

I've seen weird behavior somewhat similar to this from two dying monitors, btw, though not as extreme. Heat seemed to be an issue in both cases. Vaccuuming the cat fur out of one monitor extended its life a bit. Do not try opening a monitor, btw -- just vaccuum through the vents. A monitor can hold a charge and if you poke in its guts it can zap you a long time after it's been shut off and unplugged.

I have a fairly new LCD monitor, I can hook it up to my laptop just to see if thats the problem. The thing is I have had this issue with this particular Video card in a seperate machine. I'm thinking of just getting myself a new video card.

Anyone know if a Geforce FX 5500 is a good card?

The FX 5500 will run SL, but it is a big step down from a FX 5900.

That can be a power supply issue to.
I used to have a computer that would turn on (power on) without a problem all the time.
But half the time when it powerd on, It would not post, or simply wouldnt show video.

At that time where I was working, I regularly brought my computer with me to work.
There it would work flawlessly every time, at home, it seemed random.

neway, to make a long story short, I found it was my tiny 300W power supply causing the problems.

The GforceFX 5900XT requires a minimum 300W system power supply.
Thats not including the requirements of any CD/rw,Dvd/rw,crazy Fans,etc your computer may have.

A way to test this without spending any money,
Unplug anything thats not needed to boot up your computer and run it safely,
Like,
Cdrom/Dvd drives. Extra case fans that are not really essential to cooling (Not your CPU cooler!), Any flashy Case Lights, lasers, or ZeroPoint energy cigarette lighters, etc.

Basicly Run the computer with only Motherboard, Cpu, RAM, HardDrive, and Video card.
And any cooling that you NEED.

If it works like that, than its your power supply.


NOTE: Do not try this if your not sure what your doing. And if you plan on blaming any damages on me.