HELP! New AGP card won't work after old PCI

[shadware]

Im posting for a friend. He got an AGP geforce 4 ti4200 card, and he uninstalled everything for his old PCI 64mb geforce 2 mx card, but his AGP card wont respond after shutting down his computer and putting it in. The fan on it will turn on, but nothing will show up. So here is an easier to follow summery:

Started with PCI GeForce 2 MX card
Uninstalled all drivers he could find (detonation and hardware)
Shutdown
Power off
Removed card
Inserted AGP
Plugged in monitor
Power on
Fans start but no video

Now, not even bios or anything will show up on monitor. Any idea what it is? Also, they put card in an Emachines, which detected it, but they didnt go as far as to completely install it. Any ideas?

 

[Jeff7]

I assume you removed the old PCI card? Otherwise, the BIOS will probably see the PCI videocard first and initialize it instead. What motherboard are you using?

 

[shadware]

Yes, he removed that, after I told him to (before he tried to do it with the PCI in, justifying that the monitor wouldn't show up anything for him to install the AGP. I assured him though that he should be getting 256 no matter what).

 

[shadware]

Also, its the Shuttle AK31A mobo (kt266a chipset). It's the same as mine, and I've always run an AGP card great, even after changing from an old voodoo 3 3000.

 

[AnAndAustin]

Check his PSU is up to it. Unbranded PSUs suck, no matter their claimed rating, Really you want to use an Enermax, Antec, ToPower or Flower PSU rated at least 400W with dual fans. A branded 350W should be fine, 300W at a push but if you need a new one it isn't worth skimping as you can keep your PSU for a long time if you invest that little bit more at the time of purchase. Another thing to try is a different AGP card, pref low powered (so req less voltage) but ideally NOT an old 3.3v card (may mask the prob), it may be that his AGP slot is faulty in some way.

 

[KF]

>Any ideas?

The other thing you can do is put your AGP card in the friend's computer and see. A function which has never been used (AGP) can be bad.

I hope he has taken the card out and put it back a couple times. Bad contact, or poor seating is very common. The AGP has a stacked double
layer of contacts. And someAGP cards pull a lot of juice, making them temperamental.

You could fool with the BIOS:
Some BIOSs have a setting like "initialize PCI/AGP video first".

Switch the "PNP aware OS" setting, whatever it is.

Set AGP to 2x.

Enable "reset ESCD"

clear the CMOS and redo any BIOS setting you have to.

 

[joinT]

Some BIOSs have a setting like "initialize PCI/AGP video first".

i was gonna suggest put the PCI card back in & try that setting.

 

[AnAndAustin]

While you're at it try disabling the onboard VGA/AGP if that is an option, could be 2 devices are trying to use the AGP bus at the same time!