UPDATE: Dell C521 graphics card failure when card is put in (Lights 2 and 4)

[thecoolnessrune]

Hey guys, I'm having issue getting a graphics card going in this Dell slim tower. Half-height card but an external Corsair 400 watt power supply. The graphics card is a 9800GT.

When I have no card installed (running integrated) everything works fine. When I put in the 9800 the Dell tells me to connect video to that card. Once I shut down, connect the video, and restart, the Dell gives a single "beep" with diagnostic lights 2 and 4 lit, indicating a graphics failure. Removing the graphics card fixes the issue.

At one point I even got into windows on integrated video and saw the 9800GT registered in device manager. That was only one time though. So far it wont let me into windows unless the card is removed. With the card is in it tells me to hook video up to the card to be able to boot but when I do I get the graphics card failure diagnosis.

Anyone have any idea what could be wrong? I don't have an extra video card to test. I can't RMA the card because I bought the card from a member here. This has been a complete disaster.

If anyone has any tips or tricks that could be tried let me know. And yes I connected the external power. The video card doesn't show any erratic behavior. The fan slows down quickly just as it should and that one bootup into windows makes me believe that the card is operational..

UPDATE: I combined the original Dell PSU and the new Corsair PSU. The Dell PSU ran all the original equipment, while the Corsair just ran the power supply. I hotwired the ATX cable to get the unit to turn on then I turned on the main computer. The video card fan started up slowly indicating that the card was getting PEG power (the fan just spins full-tilt if its not getting power).

There was still no video display. Looks like the power cable isn't the culprit. Rather, its either the video card or the motherboard. The video card looks like it suffered a rather hard punch to it during transit but there's no physical problems on the PCB other than the fact the PCB has a slight bend to it.

The next rub is I don't know where I can get a replacement and get refunded. Most only do exchanges. If the motherboard is still the issue then I'm out $100 on the useless graphics card on top of the $75 that I'm already out possibly do to UPS's screwup.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Id say power supply, you are on the edge (maybe) of being able to power that card

NVIDIA MINIMUM POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS

* 400W or greater system power supply (with a minimum 12V current rating of 26A)
* One 6-pin supplementary power connector

 

[thecoolnessrune]

There's another person running a 9600GT (same core) on the stock 280 Watt PSU without issues. This Corsair is brand new and has 30 Amps on the 12V rail (single railed).

I don't really think its the PSU. But I am starting to feel UPS did indeed damage my card. I know there are at least 3 other people running the same general setup (9800GTs with a 400-700 watt add-on PSU). So I know this is possible, but if its a damaged card I can just say I'm fucked now because obviously there's no way in hell UPS would give me my money back for the card. The idea of buying another one though which may not work still is very unsettling.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Yes its the PSU. While the 9600 and 9800 share the same basic core the 9600 has some features disabled giving it a lower power draw. While someone may be running a 9600 on a 280W PSU doesn't mean its a good thing. That PSU could fail from being over worked at any time. The Corsair is a nice enough PSU to not allow the system to over draw power from it. It rather not fuction then to have too high a load and possibly fail. So get a 450W PSU or better.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

That seems sensible. Any way to explain to me though why the card works until the VGA cable is attached? As in, the card operates on its own, gets warm, etc, while on the "Unsupported video" screen in the Dell BIOS but when the computer is shutdown and the VGA cable is connected suddenly the Dell spits out a graphics failure warning.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Unitll you get a better PSU the graphics failure warning is a power related issue. The video card just isn't getting the power it needs to get fully up and running so its throwing errors at the system causing the system to report a GPU failure. Now if you still have this error after a more powerful PSU is tried in the system then you may have other issues.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Ugh.. Therein lies the worst part of it. The Add in the cost of the PSU that may or may not fix the issue and the price of this little project gets thrown into the "not worth it" range.. It was already $60 for this power supply so once I eat restocking and shipping fees plus spend $100 on a beefier PSU this is all going to get pretty ridiculous for no particular guarantees.

Everything works until it matters. Then it all goes to shit >_>

 

[olmer]

Your PSU should me more than enough but just in case try to lessen load on it by removing opticals/hdds/usb devices/unused fans and see if that helps then try this card in another pc if you can.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Updated the OP.

 

[mpilchfamily]

If the card took a hit and it has a bend in it then the internal trases on the card could be broken or a solder joint on one or more of hte surface mounted components could be broken. No wonder its not working. The damage may be small and unoticable but you should still be able ot exchange it.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Won't work because I bought the card from a member here. It was working when I received it. I then had it shipped later on up here (it would not have survived in airplane luggage). But it looks like UPS destroyed it anyways. I filed a claim with UPS but lets face it, I'm screwed in that regard.