Dell Inspiron 660 not recognizing new video card

[LukFilm]

I bought this Dell and upgraded PSU to 430W and just got GeForce 650 Ti which is not recognized by the computer and while the computer starts up, the monitor is in power saving mode the whole time. I just updated BIOS to no avail. I have had issues with other VGAs as well - the one I'm using now (Radeon 4850) doesn't power up my monitor until it gets to Win8 splash screen, for example. Other low-end cards (GeForce 620) do power up my computer right away and I'm able to see boot-up screen as well. To say this is really aggravating is an understatement. If anyone has a clue as to what's up (bad motherboard?) I'd really appreciate it.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Have you disabled the on board video in BIOS? What are the system specs? Have you tried the gpu in another system? If not try that to see if it's the gpu. You might have a bad pcie slot, although I've never heard of lower end gpus working and not the higher end ones. Also, 430w seems pretty low. Haven't seen specs on the 650Ti though, but without knowing your complete specs, your psu could be an issue too.

 

[Bubbaleone]

I also thought your PSU was the problem, then thought it best to check a little further and was surprised to find this:

Quoted from Benchmark Reviews article: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti Video Card...

This article discusses the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti video card that features reference design and speeds. Our power consumption results are not representative of the entire GTX 650 Ti-series products that may use a modified design. GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB requires a single 6-pin PCI-E power connections for normal operation, and will not activate the display unless proper power has been supplied. NVIDIA recommends a 400W power supply unit for stable operation with GTX 650 Ti, which should include the required 6-pin PCI-E connection without the use of an adapter.

In our test results the GeForce GTX 650 Ti consumed only 12W at idle, and 112W under full load. This positions the GTX 650 Ti among the least power-hungry video cards we've ever tested under load, but much more impressive that it's achieved by a GTX-series product. If you're familiar with electronics, it will come as no surprise that less power consumption equals less heat output as evidenced by our thermal results below...

.

 

[daveybrat]

Yeah, a good quality 430Watt is more than enough for a GTX 650 Ti. Sounds like motherboard related issues.

Unfortunately Dell does not use very good quality motherboards so who knows why it isn't compatible.

 

[denis280]

Yeah, a good quality 430Watt is more than enough for a GTX 650 Ti. Sounds like motherboard related issues.

Unfortunately Dell does not use very good quality motherboards so who knows why it isn't compatible.

Agree:thumbsup:

 

[Ketchup]

the one I'm using now (Radeon 4850) doesn't power up my monitor until it gets to Win8 splash screen, for example.

This would indicate that the BIOS is giving the onboard video first priority upon initial boot. This is all BIOS, so unless the BIOS offers a way to change initial boot device, or disable onboard video completely, you could be stuck.

Have you looked on the board for jumpers? Old idea, I know, but you might get lucky.

 

[LukFilm]

Thanks for the ideas, but there is no on-board video. Came with a free upgrade to GeForce 620. My PSU is Antec EarthWatts 430W.

 

[Ketchup]

Thanks for the ideas, but there is no on-board video. Came with a free upgrade to GeForce 620. My PSU is Antec EarthWatts 430W.

OK, that clarification would have been useful in the first post. What video card did it come with?

 

[zaydq]

Even if it came with a video card... it may still have on board video. What CPU do you have in it? I definitely think you just didn't change the settings in the BIOS correctly and its giving the onboard/apu gpu priority.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

It has Intel HD graphics even if it had a discrete card installed, but if it worked with the GF 620 it should work with the 650 Ti. Reinstall the 620 and see if that at least works with the new PSU.

 

[Bubbaleone]

Thanks for the ideas, but there is no on-board video. Came with a free upgrade to GeForce 620. My PSU is Antec EarthWatts 430W.

EDIT: While I've been researching and composing this post, I see you've since stated that you had the GeForce GT620 option already installed. Please read the following to see if this may apply to why you haven't been able to install your GeForce 650 Ti:

I've done some research because I was very curious and your problem doesn't appear to be isolated, given the number of posts on the web regarding add-in graphics cards not being recognized on many new factory computers; not just Dell either.

From what I've been reading; the problem with third-party add-in cards not being recognized seems to be that Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc. are shipping their PCs, with Windows 8 pre-installed, in UEFI mode with secure boot enabled. It's the secure boot setting that prevents being able to install add-in cards (not just graphics cards).

Although the ability to disable secure boot is mandated by the Windows 8 certification requirements for x86 and x64 OEM computers, Dell in particular seems very remiss in including any documentation on just how to do that.

If Windows 8 came pre-installed on your computer, it almost certainly boots in UEFI mode. To get your computer to recognize your graphics card, you’ll need to switch the boot mode from UEFI to Legacy and then disable the Secure Boot option.

1. Power on the computer and when the F2 Setup, F12 Boot Options appears in the lower-right corner of the screen, press F12.
2. When the Boot Device Menu appears, use the arrow keys to choose the BIOS Setup option.
3. In the BIOS Setup Utility, move to the Boot tab and disable the Secure Boot Control option.
4. Next, navigate down to the Boot Mode option and switch the boot mode from UEFI to Legacy. Press F10 to save your changes.
5. Once your computer restarts, press F12 to bring up the Boot Menu again and under 'OTHER OPTIONS' you should now see 'Peripheral Device Setting (OPROM Setting)'.
6. Use the arrow keys to choose Peripheral Device Setting, then make the approptiate changes in BIOS to disable the onboard VGA and enable the PCIe graphics card. Press F10 to save your changes.
7. Allow the computer to restart and test to confirm that your grapics card is now functional.
8. Once satisfied, restart your computer then go back into the BIOS and switch the boot mode back to UEFI with secure boot enabled.

.

 

[Ketchup]

Thanks for posting that Bubbaleone. I have been seeing posts about these types of issues for a while (since windows 8 came out), wondering how they did that. Good info.

 

[LukFilm]

EDIT: While I've been researching and composing this post, I see you've since stated that you had the GeForce GT620 option already installed. Please read the following to see if this may apply to why you haven't been able to install your GeForce 650 Ti:

I've done some research because I was very curious and your problem doesn't appear to be isolated, given the number of posts on the web regarding add-in graphics cards not being recognized on many new factory computers; not just Dell either.

From what I've been reading; the problem with third-party add-in cards not being recognized seems to be that Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc. are shipping their PCs, with Windows 8 pre-installed, in UEFI mode with secure boot enabled. It's the secure boot setting that prevents being able to install add-in cards (not just graphics cards).

Although the ability to disable secure boot is mandated by the Windows 8 certification requirements for x86 and x64 OEM computers, Dell in particular seems very remiss in including any documentation on just how to do that.

If Windows 8 came pre-installed on your computer, it almost certainly boots in UEFI mode. To get your computer to recognize your graphics card, you’ll need to switch the boot mode from UEFI to Legacy and then disable the Secure Boot option.

1. Power on the computer and when the F2 Setup, F12 Boot Options appears in the lower-right corner of the screen, press F12.
2. When the Boot Device Menu appears, use the arrow keys to choose the BIOS Setup option.
3. In the BIOS Setup Utility, move to the Boot tab and disable the Secure Boot Control option.
4. Next, navigate down to the Boot Mode option and switch the boot mode from UEFI to Legacy. Press F10 to save your changes.
5. Once your computer restarts, press F12 to bring up the Boot Menu again and under 'OTHER OPTIONS' you should now see 'Peripheral Device Setting (OPROM Setting)'.
6. Use the arrow keys to choose Peripheral Device Setting, then make the approptiate changes in BIOS to disable the onboard VGA and enable the PCIe graphics card. Press F10 to save your changes.
7. Allow the computer to restart and test to confirm that your grapics card is now functional.
8. Once satisfied, restart your computer then go back into the BIOS and switch the boot mode back to UEFI with secure boot enabled.

.

YOU GOT IT!!! That WAS the problem! However, when I installed the new card it wasn't able to start Windows 8 because of a critical error. I tried to automatically repair it with Windows 8 disk, but that didn't work and I had to put my old VGA in there to make my computer functional. What a piece of CRAP Windows 8 is!!! I would have to do a clean install of Windows 8 to make it work with my new VGA. Anyone has a source for cheap Win 7?

 

[Bubbaleone]

"However, when I installed the new card it wasn't able to start Windows 8 because of a critical error"

As I'd stated; you needed to go back into BIOS and switch the boot mode back to UEFI, with secure boot enabled, before you could successfully boot into Windows 8. I wish I had a 660 sitting in front me to test that scenario, but I believe that's the problem you've encountered.

 

[Ketchup]

I wish I had a 660 sitting in front me to test that scenario, but I believe that's the problem you've encountered.

I'm the opposite: got the card, not the OS/system. Maybe we should get together, lol.

 

[LukFilm]

As I'd stated; you needed to go back into BIOS and switch the boot mode back to UEFI, with secure boot enabled, before you could successfully boot into Windows 8. I wish I had a 660 sitting in front me to test that scenario, but I believe that's the problem you've encountered.

AWESOME!!! That was it!!! Thank you so much, I knew AT would come through for me when Google didn't yield anything regarding this situation. Thank you again.

 

[Bubbaleone]

:thumbsup:......glad you got it sorted! I'm thinking about doing a short tutorial on this problem since there's so little info available about it; the OEMs (apparently) want to limit their warranty liability, considering their utter lack of published procedures.


.

 

[KingZeus001]

EDIT: While I've been researching and composing this post, I see you've since stated that you had the GeForce GT620 option already installed. Please read the following to see if this may apply to why you haven't been able to install your GeForce 650 Ti:

I've done some research because I was very curious and your problem doesn't appear to be isolated, given the number of posts on the web regarding add-in graphics cards not being recognized on many new factory computers; not just Dell either.

From what I've been reading; the problem with third-party add-in cards not being recognized seems to be that Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc. are shipping their PCs, with Windows 8 pre-installed, in UEFI mode with secure boot enabled. It's the secure boot setting that prevents being able to install add-in cards (not just graphics cards).

Although the ability to disable secure boot is mandated by the Windows 8 certification requirements for x86 and x64 OEM computers, Dell in particular seems very remiss in including any documentation on just how to do that.

If Windows 8 came pre-installed on your computer, it almost certainly boots in UEFI mode. To get your computer to recognize your graphics card, you’ll need to switch the boot mode from UEFI to Legacy and then disable the Secure Boot option.

1. Power on the computer and when the F2 Setup, F12 Boot Options appears in the lower-right corner of the screen, press F12.
2. When the Boot Device Menu appears, use the arrow keys to choose the BIOS Setup option.
3. In the BIOS Setup Utility, move to the Boot tab and disable the Secure Boot Control option.
4. Next, navigate down to the Boot Mode option and switch the boot mode from UEFI to Legacy. Press F10 to save your changes.
5. Once your computer restarts, press F12 to bring up the Boot Menu again and under 'OTHER OPTIONS' you should now see 'Peripheral Device Setting (OPROM Setting)'.
6. Use the arrow keys to choose Peripheral Device Setting, then make the approptiate changes in BIOS to disable the onboard VGA and enable the PCIe graphics card. Press F10 to save your changes.
7. Allow the computer to restart and test to confirm that your grapics card is now functional.
8. Once satisfied, restart your computer then go back into the BIOS and switch the boot mode back to UEFI with secure boot enabled.

.

I hate to bump an old thread, but there is very little information on this.

I too have a Dell 660. I upgraded to PSU to a 500watt Corsair and the GPU to a MSI 7850.

I was going through the steps provided, but I can't get step five. The 'Peripheral Device Setting (OPROM Setting)' does not appear under other options when in Legacy with Secure Boot Mode disabled.

I've done some searching on why this is happening but I'm coming up empty handed, so I thought I'd turn to you guys.

Any and all help would be great.

Thank you,
Zak

 

[VirtualLarry]

The PowerColor 6570 I ordered from Newegg for $25 AR, has "Windows 8 / UEFI" emblazoned on the the corner of the box. I have a feeling that this card may work without issue on OEM machines.

 

[KingZeus001]

The MSI R7850-2GD5/OC states on the box and manual that it is Windows 8 compatible.

Any idea why that option doesn't show? I don't have anything to do with Video or Graphics in my bios. I just updated from A09 to A10 (the most current version) of Bios and no luck.

 

[Ketchup]

Two things here, may or may not be helpful:

1. Dell will make 100 models with vastly different hardware under the same general model number. So you may have to hunt for the option on your particular board.
2. Windows 8 compatible is most likely just their way of saying the drivers work for the new OS. UEFI compatibility, which in all reality should be in the same compatibility boat as Windows 8 (since it is the first Windows OS with decent UEFI support), will not be by manufacturers, since that would take more work to get that worked out, if at all possible on OEM boards.

Bottom line is you should be able to get the new card to work, you may just have to do some hunting to find the option to do so for your particular model.

 

[Virgorising]

Yeah, a good quality 430Watt is more than enough for a GTX 650 Ti. Sounds like motherboard related issues.

Unfortunately Dell does not use very good quality motherboards so who knows why it isn't compatible.

All Dell's boards are made by either Intel or ASUS. No exceptions.

 

[Virgorising]

edit: while i've been researching and composing this post, i see you've since stated that you had the geforce gt620 option already installed. Please read the following to see if this may apply to why you haven't been able to install your geforce 650 ti:

I've done some research because i was very curious and your problem doesn't appear to be isolated, given the number of posts on the web regarding add-in graphics cards not being recognized on many new factory computers; not just dell either.

From what i've been reading; the problem with third-party add-in cards not being recognized seems to be that dell, hp, lenovo, etc. Are shipping their pcs, with windows 8 pre-installed, in uefi mode with secure boot enabled. It's the secure boot setting that prevents being able to install add-in cards (not just graphics cards).

Although the ability to disable secure boot is mandated by the windows 8 certification requirements for x86 and x64 oem computers, dell in particular seems very remiss in including any documentation on just how to do that.

If windows 8 came pre-installed on your computer, it almost certainly boots in uefi mode. To get your computer to recognize your graphics card, you’ll need to switch the boot mode from uefi to legacy and then disable the secure boot option.

1. power on the computer and when the f2 setup, f12 boot options appears in the lower-right corner of the screen, press f12.
2. when the boot device menu appears, use the arrow keys to choose the bios setup option.
3. in the bios setup utility, move to the boot tab and disable the secure boot control option.
4. next, navigate down to the boot mode option and switch the boot mode from uefi to legacy. Press f10 to save your changes.
5. once your computer restarts, press f12 to bring up the boot menu again and under 'other options' you should now see 'peripheral device setting (oprom setting)'.
6. use the arrow keys to choose peripheral device setting, then make the approptiate changes in bios to disable the onboard vga and enable the pcie graphics card. Press f10 to save your changes.
7. allow the computer to restart and test to confirm that your grapics card is now functional.
8. once satisfied, restart your computer then go back into the bios and switch the boot mode back to uefi with secure boot enabled.

.

brilliant.

 

[Virgorising]

Agree:thumbsup:

AGAIN, all Dell's boards are made by either Intel or Asus. No exceptions.

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1901780

 

[Mr.Tom]

I had to post a reply to this thread. As I have a Dell Inspiron 660 here now. Trying to install a video card and the computer is not recognizing it at all. It always wants to use the onboard. I did have BIOS A03 and was able to just get the Dell logo and view the BIOS menus with an NVS 510 purchased directly from Dell for this computer.

But after upgrading to BIOS A11 (10/14/13) from the suggestion of PNY tech support, now I don't get any video out it at all. Tried with 4 other PCIe video cards laying around. None of them worked. All of them don't require additional power adapters, so they should work fine.

The computer has Windows 7, so the UEFI selection is not an option, and even selected there's still no video out of the cards, only the onboard. There's no advanced options in the BIOS either. The protected boot and oprom settings had no affect. I can't select ANYTHING about the video.

My only conclusion is that it's a bad motherboard or just a bad product line (Inspiron 660).