New 6600GT in older motherboard

[GamerAT240]

Hi,

My friend has a MSI 746F Ultra with AMD XP 2000+, 512 RAM. Was running an nVidia 5200 graphcs card, but bought a Leadtek A6600GT. However, upon installing, the WinFast BIOS screen comes up from the graphics card, which checks its onboard ram, then the normal boot screen appears, checking HDDs etc. However, then it just locks. I can't get into the BIOS either, because although it displays the option to enter, it locks before it enters the BIOS. He has two machines with this motherboard (other has a Duron) and the behaviour is the exact same on both.

I however checked the card on my Abit NF7, and it booted up fine.

The software tool says the BIOS is up to date (upon reinstalling the 5200), although the AGP drivers are not. I've upgraded them now and will check the 6600GT again later, but was looking opinions on other possibilities ? Or does anyone know for example that the card + mobo are incompatible ?

I'll also find out the PSU spec and post them including rails. Although he has told me it is at least 400W.

Mobo link is here
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=414

Thanks for any help,
Cheers.

 

[Zap]

That's very bizarre behavior. To determine if the older systems won't take newer cards (due to power requirements or whatever) perhaps you can try your 6800GT in their systems. If your card also doesn't work, then time to upgrade systems. If your card works, then perhaps it's just a compatibility issue.

 

[GamerAT240]

Thanks, good idea. I was going to take out my Tagan PSU and try it, but such a pain in the butt to get it out along with its millions of cables.

 

[nyker96]

It's the power thing, I had the similar problems when I first got it. Using Antec 430W. So what you need to do is using a dedicated molax line for the card. I first shared that line with my case fan and it locked up. so I took off case fan put it on a separate line, no problem after that.

 

[GamerAT240]

Hi,

The card has a direct line from the PSU. And the PSU is a QTec 550W
Rails are

3.3v - 30A
5v - 40A
12v - 20A

Still same issue, won't get past the initial motherboard post screen. Displays the info then locks before can even get into BIOS.

 

[GamerAT240]

I cleared the CMOS and it booted, and was playing PoP:Warriors within fine. Tryin' to optimise I went into the BIOS and noticed clearin' the CMOS set AGP to x4. I set it to x8 and rebooted, turn on ok, then reset. After resetting it went into the same behaviour as before, locking on post screen.

Cleared the CMOS again, and it booted ok. Deciding to leave the the AGP at x4, the mobo was one of the earlier to adopt AGP x8, so maybe they didn't perfect it?

But although the AGP is back at x4, it still resets when anything graphically intensive like a game is run. Is there anychance it could be the PSU, the rails and wattage look fine? Or dodgy card?

Advice appreciated.