Weird Videocard Issue

[vwgolf115]

1. Overview of the problem
   
   Whenever I restart my computer the mobo does not recognize the videocard or monitor and I get no video output whatsoever. I only get video output when I reset my CMOS via jumper on the mobo, but after I restart computer it does not work again so I must reset CMOS every time I start my computer in order to get a video image.
   
2. Full description of the problem and symptoms
   
   The issue started when I formatted my PC, I installed Vista for the second time on this computer but I never had any problems with this in the past. When I downloaded and installed video card drivers for my nvidia 8800GTS 320MB then restarted the computer everything was fine until I reached the vista welcome screen then my monitor went idle as if it lost signal. after a few restarts and a few re-installs of the drivers I started to get my current problem, the need to reset my CMOS every time I turn my PC on. If i don't reset my CMOS my PC does not recognize either my monitor or my video card. I'm not really sure if this is a bios issue or what any help would be greatly appreciated.
   
   
   
   
3. Did it work normally at one time, or has the problem always existed?
   
   This same setup that I am having this problem with did work perfectly at one time. For the last 5 months or so it worked fine and I was able to do everything under the sun with it.
   
   
   
4. Is the problem consistent and repeatable, or entirely random, or semi-random?
   The problem repeats with every restart or start up of the system.
   
   
   
5. I already tried these steps:
   Disconnected the power and left the CMOS reset jumper on for a few hours. Put the CMOS jumper back to regular position then powered the computer up, the problem persisted.
   
6. My software:
   • Windows Vista Ultimate /w Service Pack 1
   
   
   
7. My hardware
   • Motherboard - Abit IP35-e
   • CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @2.4 GHz
   • Video card(s) - XFX GeForce 8800 GTS 320 MB
   • RAM - OCZ Gold 4GB (4 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) @ 2.1v
   • Power supply - Ultra / X-Finity / 600-Watt
   • Monitor - acer AL2216w
   
   

 

[mpilchfamily]

If you can get another PCI-e video card then try it to so we can tell if its the video card or the motherboard. If the other card works then the video card is the problem. If you still get the same issue then the motherboard is having issues.

 

[vwgolf115]

Well I am not so sure its an actual video card problem because I am able to get into windows after i reset the CMOS. I figured it was a BIOS setting or something but I just dont understand how it would change from the time I reset the CMOS to the time i restart my computer even if I just hit F1 to continue and not even go into the BIOS to make changes.

I will try to swap out the video card for another PCI-e one see if it might be the card but I have to get it from a friend.

*edit* I tried changing the video card to a nvidia 7900 GTX but I got the same results. The CMOS had to be reset in order to get into windows.

 

[vwgolf115]

Ok, so I figgured out one problem and was hit with another one. I fixed the whole resetting CMOS problem, turned out to be the RAM not getting enough voltage so after I upped it, it worked just fine.

However now I have a real video card issue. when I attempt to install the drivers for my Geforce 8800 GTS they install correctly but when i restart my computer i get to the whole Microsoft boot screen and then when its about to go to the vista windows logo my monitor just cuts out as if the drivers were incorrect or something. I got the drivers directly from the Nvidia website so I don't really see what the issue could be.

*EDIT* - also tried a geforce 7900 GTX and the same thing happened when i installed the drivers. the monitor cuts out right when the windows logo comes up.