Problem Installing Radeon 7750: No Display Signal with Card Inserted

Madmick

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Apr 7, 2012
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*Edit* Problem solved. It was an input issue with the monitor; I needed to switch the input to DVI from VGA. The monitor didn't make this easy. It automatically went to sleep and didn't wake easily when the "input" button was hit to bring up the input menu and change the setting.

Okay, so I have two separate HP dc7900 Convertible Minitowers that an IT friend gave me that his company was e-wasting. He also gave me two disks for an OS restore/install of Windows XP Service Pack 2.

When my brand new Radeon 7750 arrived, I inserted it into the PCIe 2.3 x 16 slot in the first unit before doing anything else. I then hooked up my brand new monitor to the computer (not the graphics card) via VGA in order to install the Service Pack. Everything worked; even with the graphics card inserted the display was receiving a signal that allowed me to interface with the computer.

Once XP was installed, I checked system specs, and saw that the CPU was an Intel E8400. My friend got one of these units, too, and his had a faster Q9400. So I decided to try the second unit. Once I finished installing XP on that unit, I checked its system specs. It did have the Q9400. So I removed the video card and sound card from the first unit and put them in this 2nd unit with the faster CPU.

The problem is that the monitor says, "No signal." I get no display. I Googled trying to figure out the problem, and I found this thread from Tom's Hardware:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/319595-33-signal-installing-graphics-card
In that thread there are two major responses identifying the problem/solution:

(1)
The PCIe Slot or graphics card is damaged.

(2)
Shut down your system and move the reset CMOS jumper pins to the reset location for 30 seconds or longer then remove your BIOS battery as well. Give it about 5 minutes (overkill but positively reset) and then replace the battery and the CMOS jumper pins and then reboot.

You should get a signal and be able to go into your settings and reconfigure. If you don't get a signal you can try to connect by VGA or DVI if you have that option to see if you can get a signal from the motherboard.

If not of that works, it sounds like you have a hardware issue...
As for #1, I didn't think it was possible for the graphics card to be damaged since it's brand new and initially I got a display signal while it was inserted in the first unit. But I reasoned that also initially I had inserted the graphics card in the first unit BEFORE restoring XP. I had inserted it into the 2nd unit only AFTER I had installed XP. Since that was the case, I thought it would be a good idea to re-insert the graphics card into the 1st unit to be certain that the video card was operational, and therefore narrow my likely cause in the 2nd unit to a faulty PCIe or a BIOS problem.

After re-inserting the graphics card into the first unit I no longer get a signal in that unit either. Is it possible I damaged the video card removing it from the first unit the first time? I didn't pay special attention to grounding, but I was constantly touching the metal of the tower, so I doubt I shocked the card. In either unit, if I remove the graphics card, the display works.

If you guys don't think it's damaged, then is there a simpler way you suggest to proceed with #2 than moving the CMOS jumper cables and removing the BIOS battery? Is there no way to reset BIOS from Setup?
 
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railven

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Mar 25, 2010
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Have you switched the display options from onboard to PCIE in the BIOS? that would be my first guess.

You can test to see if the card works by connecting the monitor to it and booting the system, even the BIOS and Splash screen should show up.

If you are getting absolutely nothing it is possibly that the Quad system might have had a fault and could have damaged the videocard, but that's a worst case scenario. I'd guess more it's a BIOS setting that needs to be fixed/checked.
 

Madmick

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You can test to see if the card works by connecting the monitor to it and booting the system, even the BIOS and Splash screen should show up.
Yeah, I'd tried connecting the monitor directly to the video card via DVI, but I got absolutely nothing. The monitor reads "No Signal" and then the goes to sleep automatically.
Have you switched the display options from onboard to PCIE in the BIOS? that would be my first guess.
No, I hadn't done this. Should I install the Driver for the 7750 from its packaged CD before I do this? (I'll have to do this without the graphics card inserted since I can't see anything to operate the computer when it is). I'm guessing that if I try to switch the display option to PCIe from BIOS before the driver is installed, then even if the graphics card works I won't get any video.

How do I do this? I boot into "Setup" by hitting F10 when the comp starts. I'm guessing there's a "Display" menu somewhere in BIOS?

If you are getting absolutely nothing it is possibly that the Quad system might have had a fault and could have damaged the videocard, but that's a worst case scenario. I'd guess more it's a BIOS setting that needs to be fixed/checked.
The only other possibility that I can think of is that maybe there's a driver from an old video card installed. I doubt it, but maybe the employee who had this comp installed his own video card. I will be super pissed if this f@*!ing comp destroyed a brand new $110 card.
 
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railven

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Mar 25, 2010
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Yeah, I'd tried connecting the monitor directly to the video card via DVI, but I got absolutely nothing. The monitor reads "No Signal" and then the goes to sleep automatically.

The motherboard itself should boot the videocard, before the Windows installation is even accessed, the BIOS will/should run of the display port on the videocard.

Have you checked the monitor itself, I only ask this because my Samsung has that stupid auto-detect option and since I use my monitor over HDMI sometimes it misses the hand-shake and then it goes into standby too. I force it to HDMI. Just an option to check.

No, I hadn't done this. Should I install the Driver for the 7750 from its packaged CD before I do this? (I'll have to do this without the graphics card inserted since I can't see anything to operate the computer when it is). I'm guessing that if I try to switch the display option to PCIe from BIOS before the driver is installed, then even if the graphics card works I won't get any video.

Installing the driver will only help for Windows, but I'm a tad curious where you aren't seeing the boot process and motherboard splash screens. That itself tells me there is no feed going to the videocard.

You can also install the drivers using the onboard video, then swap over - I've had to do that a few times on cheap-o motherboards that don't auto switch.

And I haven't used XP in such a long time, I can't be sure if these new cards would auto-load the default driver, if you can get into safe mode with it then it is.

How do I do this? I boot into "Setup" by hitting F10 when the comp starts. I'm guessing there's a "Display" menu somewhere in BIOS?


The only other possibility that I can think of is that maybe there's a driver from an old video card installed. I doubt it, but maybe the employee who had this comp installed his own video card. I will be super pissed if this fucking comp destroyed a brand new $110 card.

Yeah, get into your BIOS, and try to find the display adaptor or primary display option. Set it to PCIE.
 

KompuKare

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Jul 28, 2009
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You have to remember that until your OS loads up (Windows) the graphic card works without any drivers: therefore if you have no video when the PC POSTs, drivers have nothing to do with it.

In the BIOS it's usually under Advanced Options or Integrated Peripherals although I'm sure HP have different menus. The option you want is called something like 'Primary Graphic Adapter' and you'd want to set it to PEG (PCI-Express Graphics I guess).
 

Madmick

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The motherboard itself should boot the videocard, before the Windows installation is even accessed, the BIOS will/should run of the display port on the videocard.

Have you checked the monitor itself, I only ask this because my Samsung has that stupid auto-detect option and since I use my monitor over HDMI sometimes it misses the hand-shake and then it goes into standby too. I force it to HDMI. Just an option to check.
What would I check on the monitor?

I got nothing- no BIOS or boot process- when I plugged the monitor into the video card via DVI. Just "no signal" and automatic sleep. I only have the VGA and DVI cables right now, no HDMI or DisplayPort cables.
Installing the driver will only help for Windows, but I'm a tad curious where you aren't seeing the boot process and motherboard splash screens. That itself tells me there is no feed going to the videocard.
No feed from where? What does that mean?
You can also install the drivers using the onboard video, then swap over - I've had to do that a few times on cheap-o motherboards that don't auto switch.
I think I'll try this first, then try going into BIOS.
And I haven't used XP in such a long time, I can't be sure if these new cards would auto-load the default driver, if you can get into safe mode with it then it is.
I only restored to XP. I immediately updated to Windows 7. I don't think the Radeon 7750 even works with XP.
 

railven

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Mar 25, 2010
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What would I check on the monitor?
Most newer monitors have multiple inputs, at least the good ones. Some use an auto-detect, sort of like a TV - I was just saying make sure the monitor is set to the right input.

I got nothing- no BIOS or boot process- when I plugged the monitor into the video card via DVI. Just "no signal" and automatic sleep. I only have the VGA and DVI cables right now, no HDMI or DisplayPort cables.

And that is exactly what worries me in this situation. Regardless of OS, BIOS, etc, the monitor SHOULD display the boot sequence.

No feed from where? What does that mean?

It can range from the card itself is not getting the feed (ie the motherboard PCIE bus is damaged, the PCIE bus is disabled through the BIOS) to the videocard isn't sending the feed out (the card itself is damaged, the connector, the cable).

I think I'll try this first, then try going into BIOS.

I only restored to XP. I immediately updated to Windows 7. I don't think the Radeon 7750 even works with XP.

I would most definitely look into the BIOS and see if there is an option to switch from IGP to PCIE.
 

Madmick

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You have to remember that until your OS loads up (Windows) the graphic card works without any drivers: therefore if you have no video when the PC POSTs, drivers have nothing to do with it.

In the BIOS it's usually under Advanced Options or Integrated Peripherals although I'm sure HP have different menus. The option you want is called something like 'Primary Graphic Adapter' and you'd want to set it to PEG (PCI-Express Graphics I guess).
I'm in the HP "Hewlett-Packard Setup Utility". There's 5 drop-down menus: File, Storage, Security, Power, and Advanced. The "Advanced" drop-down menu has the following options:

Power-On Options
Execute Memory Test
BIOS Power-On
___
Onboard Devices
PCI Devices
___
Bus Options
Device Options
___
Management Operations


I looked in "PCI Devices" and it has:

Intel VGA Controller
Intel Ethernet Controller
Intel USB Controller (there's 8 of these)
Intel AHCI Controller
Audio Device

The "Intel VGA Controller" is set to something that says "IRQ 5". I can only choose to change it to "IRQ 10", "IRQ 11", or "Disable".


I don't see anything like "PUG" or "Primary Graphic Adapter". Am I in the right place? This is BIOS, correct?
 

railven

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Mar 25, 2010
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Check Onboard Devices for IGP (Onboard video or integrated video.)

You might have to just disable the Intel VGA to let the PCIE controller kick in - however, if it doesn't work you might have to reset the BIOS with the CMOS jumper or removing the battery for a good minute or two.

Man I hate OEM BIOS.
 

KingFatty

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Dec 29, 2010
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1. Is it the monitor? - Perhaps the monitor is set to only consider the VGA port, since it was initially used that way. Verify whether the monitor is set to manual source (e.g., stuck on VGA) or automatic (possibly still stuck on VGA and ignoring DVI). Another test would be to connect the 7750 card to the monitor using the VGA connection on the monitor, either by using the VGA port on the 7750 card or a DVI-VGA adapter.

2. Is it the BIOS setting that makes the computer ignore the 7750 card? Test this by connecting the computer to the monitor without using the 7750 card and rebooting - do you see the boot up process? Even if you don't, the solution would be to get into the BIOS settings any way possible, perhaps even removing the 7750 card and rebooting. Then verify whether the BIOS settings are causing the problem - it's conceivable that the BIOS is set to not use a discrete card like the 7750, while still preventing the on-board graphics to be used if a discrete card is detected; sort of like a catch-22 where you get no signal just because of silly settings in the BIOS that can be easily fixed.
 

Madmick

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Most newer monitors have multiple inputs, at least the good ones. Some use an auto-detect, sort of like a TV - I was just saying make sure the monitor is set to the right input.
Railven, you are my sexy hero this morning! If I didn't desperately need advice like this, I would totally e-suicide with some sweet, sweet porn for you.

Yeah, I had switched it away from DVI earlier (which was odd because originally I was hooked up via VGA and it worked from that initial setting). Anyway, the screen really fought me on it, but after I incessantly hit the "Input" button, eventually it woke from its automatic sleep and then I was able to switch back to DVI. Up and running.

Do you think I should get a $5 HDMI cable from Amazon?
 

KompuKare

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Jul 28, 2009
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Good that your card is not fried...

However, maybe we could get you fry it by seeing how high a 7750 can overclock once Asus's GPU Tweak has been let loose on it since the 7x50 are all fairly good overclockers and I'm missing the dataset of a 7750 running at 1200/1300...

Not worth blowing up a card though and the lack of PCIE power probably means: max 7750 = no more than 7770 :-(

EDIT: on seconds thoughts maybe better not...
 

railven

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Mar 25, 2010
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Railven, you are my sexy hero this morning! If I didn't desperately need advice like this, I would totally e-suicide with some sweet, sweet porn for you.

Yeah, I had switched it away from DVI earlier (which was odd because originally I was hooked up via VGA and it worked from that initial setting). Anyway, the screen really fought me on it, but after I incessantly hit the "Input" button, eventually it woke from its automatic sleep and then I was able to switch back to DVI. Up and running.

Do you think I should get a $5 HDMI cable from Amazon?

I've been there bro, my Samsung monitor is a total jerk with the Auto-detect feature and I too have had to literally force the damn thing into Manual mode.

Glad you got it working, hopefully the rest is easy sailing from here on. As for the cable question, I personally prefer DVI, and HDMI offers no real advantage over it (and my personal experience, DVI doesn't affect the scaling issue which HDMI does - you often have to manually fix it.)

Good luck with the rest of the project, and happy gaming :D
 
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Madmick

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Good that your card is not fried...

However, maybe we could get you fry it by seeing how high a 7750 can overclock once Asus's GPU Tweak has been let loose on it since the 7x50 are all fairly good overclockers and I'm missing the dataset of a 7750 running at 1200/1300...

Not worth blowing up a card though and the lack of PCIE power probably means: max 7750 = no more than 7770 :-(

EDIT: on seconds thoughts maybe better not...
LOL, yeah, I don't have the scratch right now to afford limit testing that might blow up my card. I will be overclocking to a stable level. I think that Q9400 should overclock well, too, since the PassCPU benchmark I saw showed it outperforming the E8400 (which is a 3.0Ghz dual core) in my other unit by ~30%. I have to learn more about this, I'm new to overclocking. I've only underclocked/overclocked on the Android platform for my tablet/phone.
Glad you got it working, hopefully the rest is easy sailing from here on. As for the cable question, I personally prefer DVI, and HDMI offers no real advantage over it (and my personal experience, DVI doesn't affect the scaling issue which HDMI does - you often have to manually fix it.)
Good, glad to hear you echo this. I'd seen an offhand comment in my Googling about margin issues with the screen in HDMI. I read the bandwidth specs for the HDMI and DVI protocols, and it appeared to me that DVI was 100% as effective in the 1920x1080 resolution, so that's why I didn't order an HDMI cable with the monitor and video card. For knowledge's sake: in theory, HDMI would be superior for a 2560x1600 monitor running a game in 1600p, correct? The industry definitely appears to moving towards an HDMI standard.

Thanks again. Yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing how this card and comp drive Mass Effect 3 once I overclock it. I've heard it isn't too demanding a game, but that seems favorable because this setup is low-end.
 
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