Trouble installing my 7900 GT. Please help.

[Hauk]

He's got a 460W that likely came with the Dell. He says it's got 34amps on the 12V rail. Should be sufficient per EVGA website on the 7900GT Superclock:

Requirements:
Minimum of a 400 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 20 Amp Amps.)

6800GT uses more juice than the 7900GT...

 

[MBrown]

You need a bios Update. I had the same problem when I was going from a 6600 to my 7800gt.

 

[mfh6375]

Originally posted by: MBrown
You need a bios Update. I had the same problem when I was going from a 6600 to my 7800gt.

Can you explain to me exactly what you did to fix the problem? How exactly do you update bios? Thanks.

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: mfh6375

Originally posted by: MBrown
You need a bios Update. I had the same problem when I was going from a 6600 to my 7800gt.

Can you explain to me exactly what you did to fix the problem? How exactly do you update bios? Thanks.

you'll have to contact Dell directly for a bios update and flashing instructions. The latest version listed on their support site for your machine is from August 2005, so you'll need a newer one.

 

[aggressor]

I would RMA it. I had the same problem (as you know) and nothing worked. I did try everything that everyone has mentioned in this thread+more, and in the end, it was still RMA'd.

 

[MBrown]

If you call Dell I doubt they would help you because you opened up the computer yourself which I believe voids the warranty.

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: MBrown
If you call Dell I doubt they would help you because you opened up the computer yourself which I believe voids the warranty.

omigod are you serious?

I can't believe people go out and buy PCs that they don't even really "own"

 

[puffpio]

just goto support.dell.com and choose your model of computer and download the latest bios of firmware update

 

[MBrown]

Originally posted by: the cobbler

Originally posted by: MBrown
If you call Dell I doubt they would help you because you opened up the computer yourself which I believe voids the warranty.

omigod are you serious?

I can't believe people go out and buy PCs that they don't even really "own"

I'm not saying he can't open it but the warranty is voided if he does.

 

[mfh6375]

Originally posted by: MBrown

I'm not saying he can't open it but the warranty is voided if he does.

That's not true. I just talked to Dell. They walked me through the process of installing the card, just to make sure I was doing it right. They determined that the card is bad. They said warranty is still good. They just don't cover the new card, since I didn't buy it from them.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Ouch. Sounds like these early batches of EVGA 7900GTs are bad. There's another thread on this "blank screen" issue.

 

[mfh6375]

Okay, it's RMA time. I have tried everything. I have flashed the bios, updated monitor driver, etc. Nothing works. I have contacted the tech support of eVGA, Dell, and Mwave.com. I have asked for help on four computer forums including this one. The general consensus is that the card is bad.

Here's the shocker. Dell's tech support wasn't too bad. I love my computer, but I have always bashed their tech support. This time I was instantly connected to a tech person. She didn't tell me to do anything ridiculous like reformat. She just made sure everything was compatable. Then she walked me through the entire process to make sure I was doing it right. I was. She, like eVGA, determined that it is probably a bad card.

 

[mfh6375]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Ouch. Sounds like these early batches of EVGA 7900GTs are bad. There's another thread on this "blank screen" issue.

I also asked for help at Tom's Hardware. Somebody in my thread claimed Newegg told him they are recieving alot of RMAs with the eVGA 7900 GT CO Superclocked. I don't know if that's true or not.

Well, should I try another eVGA or another brand? Mwave said I can get the same card, a different brand, or a refund. Whatever I want. This was my first eVGA card, and this hasn't been a good experience. I'm not sure if I should give them another chance. At least not with this card. What other brand would you guys recommend?

 

[mfh6375]

Oh yeah, here's some good news for me. My wife gave me the okay to spend the extra money on a 7900 GTX. She thinks that will make me feel better about this whole situation. She may be right.

 

[Hauk]

You certainly spent the better part of a day with the issue. Perhaps a GTX is in order.

Hmm, I'm in the Step-Up cue for a 7800 GT Superclocked. I'm gonna stay true and hope it's not a widespread issue. It's unlikely it will be. A few bad cards got out there. You got one.

 

[mfh6375]

Originally posted by: SteelSix
You certainly spent the better part of a day with the issue. Perhaps a GTX is in order.

Hmm, I'm in the Step-Up cue for a 7800 GT Superclocked. I'm gonna stay true and hope it's not a widespread issue. It's unlikely it will be. A few bad cards got out there. You got one.

You mean 7900, right?

Also, I may just try again with the Superclocked and hope I get a good one.

 

[mfh6375]

Yep, my eVGA 7900 GT CO Superclocked was a dud. The replacement card, a eVGA 7900 GTX, came today and installed flawlessly. I did everything exactly the same and had no problems whatsoever.

I've only tried FEAR and COD2 so far. My performance has literally more than doubled. I'm very happy with this card.