Having severe problems with my computer.

[CitizenKain]

My computer is currently going though some serious problems, and I hope, nay, pray that someone here has an idea.

I recently upgraded to Athlon XP 2000+, along with 512 MB of DDR ram and a MSI KT3 Ultra - Aru motherboard. Everything seemed to go smooth at first, but when I plugged in my Geforce4, the computer will not post, and will instead give me a beepcode with this patter: 2 short, 1 pause, 8 short.

Also, the monitor at this point is completly dark, and doesn't seem to getting a signal. However, the computer sounds like it is still booting in the backgroud, at least for a bit, when it appears to stop.

Now here is where it gets odd. If I replace my GF4 with my Ati Radeon, the system will boot and post fine. Computer gets to windows and everything runs fine. Thinking my videocard was damaged, I had my roommate place the card in his computer. His machine booted fine, and without problems. His machine is similar to mine (specs later).

On a whim, I replaced my Radeon with the GF4, and this time the system booted fine. I even loaded up 3dMark and Americas Army, those games ran fine. Thinking it fixed, I turned it off and went to bed. When I woke up in the morning, I turned it on just to see if it worked, it booted up fine. When I unplugged it to move it back to my desk, and attempted to turn it back on, it didn't post again. Same beep code. Swap back in Radeon, it posts and gets to windows.

What seems worth mentioning, is that the system worked until I unplugged it and moved it.

So Im honestly completely out of ideas on what is going on with this system. I can pin down wether the problem is with my Geforce4 or the motherboard, as everything else works just fine.

System Specs:
Athlon XP 2000+
MSI KT3 Ultra-ARU KT333
512 MB DDR Ram (Crucial 2 256 sticks)
2 Maxtor 40.0 GB Harddrives. Each on their own cable connecting to RAID/ATA133 ports
Toshiba 6X DVD Drive
Plextor 24X10X32 CD writer
Hercules GTXP
Netgear NIC
300W Powersupply
Antec 1030 Case.

My roommate has the same machine, except he has a XP1900, Abit N7V. Pretty much everything is similar.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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[RemyCanad]

When you moved it did your card get at all loose? Also have you checked the AGP port on your motherboard to make sure it is in fine condition? And try putting the GF4 in your roomates computer turn it off move it around turn it one, basicaly see if you can simulate the problem. And do that with your computer but with the Radeon in it.

Also something kinda un related check the fan on your graphics card. Make sure its plugged in. I have had a problem with my fan connection getting a bit loose and losing the fan on my graphics card.

 

[HelzBelz]

Sounds like the card is either loose in the AGP socket, or has a loose component on it... When this happens, you'll get random malfunctions, and may have to replace the card.