Really strange problem - not sure if GPU related

[IllogicalGlory]

I recently acquired to Geforce GTX 670 GPUs to run in SLI. I was running one with no problems for a while. I got a new one today and tried to install it. I may have made some error because when I turned on the computer, the fans on both cards went up to 100% for some reason. My monitor would not work either. I took out the second card and my computer worked fine. I tried putting it back in and I realized that I had not plugged in the power connectors completely (I think). When I pushed the 6/8 pin connectors in entirely, the fan thing stopped, but my monitor still did not work and my mouse and keyboard did light up, they had previously. I took out the new card again and found that did not fix the problem this time. The fans (case/CPU) are still spinning and my USB network adapter lights up. I tried taking out both cards and using my intel graphics, but nothing changed.

Specs
Corsair TX750 PSU
AsRock extreme3 motherboard
8GB DDR3-1333

 

[stahlhart]

Have you tried resetting your motherboard BIOS back to default settings?

 

[IllogicalGlory]

How exactly would I do that? I'm kind of a noob (so I don't know) and I can't get my monitor to display anything.

Edit: I noticed that somehow I broke a part off my Pci-e slot (ughh). It is the clip that helps hold in whatever's in it.

 

[UNhooked]

There should be a clear cmos jumper on the board close to the 3V battery area. If you tell us what board you have we should be able to point it out.

Reset it and remove all the cards and run the monitor straight to your intel gpu.

 

[Fastx]

Assuming you have a Asrock Z77 Extreme 3 here is the location #18 to clear the cmos. If have a different Extreme 3 check your manual for location

 

[IllogicalGlory]

I uninstalled iGPU with device manager. Will it still work?

What consequences will this have? What possible problems could I encounter?

 

[stahlhart]

Shouldn't have any -- if it's enabled in BIOS, I would imagine that the OS would redetect and attempt to reinstall it.

 

[Fastx]

Go into your BIOS and choose on exit reset to default settings.

 

[IllogicalGlory]

What consequences does resetting the bios have?

 

[Fastx]

It will just reset everything to stock settings like it was the first time you installed it. This is the best way to start and/or to try to figure out or fix your problem along with clearing the cmos.

 

[Fastx]

Also not sure if the Extreme 3 has it but on my Extreme 4 there is a led on the MB that will give a code for problems and you can look up the code in your manual Dr Bug if you have this feature.

 

[IllogicalGlory]

I did that and it worked. I'm able to use my single 670 again.

Do you have any advice for installing my other 670 without this happening again?

 

[Fastx]

Well you broke something you said so don't know how bad it is (by pci slot jus the clip only ?) and/or now putting in the other card will cause a problem or not. But if your going to put it back turn off computer, unplug the PS, install card and power cables, attach bridge, plug in ps, turn it on and cross your fingers.

 

[stahlhart]

I did that and it worked. I'm able to use my single 670 again.

Do you have any advice for installing my other 670 without this happening again?

First try substituting the second 670 for the first one to verify that it's okay.

Dumb question, probably, but I'll ask it anyway -- did you install the SLI bridge?

Are you using the slots marked PCIE2 and PCIE3 in the illustration FastX posted?

 

[IllogicalGlory]

First try substituting the second 670 for the first one to verify that it's okay.

I did that. It works fine.

Are you using the slots marked PCIE2 and PCIE3 in the illustration FastX posted?

Yes, the bottom one has the clip part broken. Just the clip though. When I had it plugged in, the fan was still spinning on the GPU, leading me to believe that the slot is mostly still intact.

Dumb question, probably, but I'll ask it anyway -- did you install the SLI bridge?

When I first tried installing it, I did use an SLI bridge. The second time I tried, I figured I would not use the SLI bridge at first, so that my computer would find the new card, then install it after.

 

[BrightCandle]

It goes without saying you need to use the power plugs on the card and the SLI bridge. Its not going to work unless you don't install the card properly!

 

[IllogicalGlory]

I tried using two GPUs again today (with SLI bridge, of course). It didn't mess with my computer, but it seems that breaking off the clip from PCI-e slot broke it entirely. The computer won't detect the new one and I have determined that the card works in one PCI slot, but not the other.

What are my options at this point? Am I going to have to use the warranty on my motherboard? I really don't want to do that.

 

[UNhooked]

The broken clip shouldn't affect performance if you have made sure the card is seated all the way in and you have screwed the PCI bracket tight.

 

[BrightCandle]

Warranty doesn't cover damage you did yourself, its not like the motherboard failed or that it was a latent fault, you broke it.

One thing you might be able to do is put the card into a different slot, that will require a different SLI bridge but you need to check your motherboard manual as to the bandwidth on offer on different slots and what your options are. You may find the only real option is to replace your motherboard out of your own pocket (not the manufacturers who is NOT responsible for this).

 

[IllogicalGlory]

I screwed it in as tightly as I possibly could and it still doesn't work. Perhaps the broken clip is not the problem?

I can't use the third PCI-e slot because the card is too long to fit. It runs into my (mess of) PSU power cables and I have nowhere to put them (case is not good) and my PSU is not modular.

 

[MTDEW]

Yeah, if you pulled hard enough to break off the retaining clip, you may have pulled hard enough to pull the PCI-E solder connections loose from the board.

I'd grab a good flashlight and may even a magnifying glass and take a closer look at that slot.

If the connection to the board is loose, I wouldn't want to keep trying a card in that slot for fear of shorting the card or mobo, or both.

 

[IllogicalGlory]

Nah, it was more of a pushing that broke it off. It broke when I was trying to put it in. I didn't really know how those clips worked and I must have had it in the locked position even though the slot was empty.

I don't currently have a card in there or anything, though.