zolem

Wow, I am completely stumped.
Here’s what happened:
I have a media center machine which uses a BTX motherboard that only supports video through it’s PCI Express slot. In other words, there is no dedicated VGA out on the motherboard. Only the PCIe slot. The motherboard is an Intel D915POM.
ftp://download.intel.com/design/moth...m/C8626601.pdf
I had everything up and running fine, and then one day the video just stopped working.
I bought a new video card as a first response to troubleshoot. Installed it and nothing changed. Not even video on startup.
So, next I tried a new power supply. No change.
At this point I figured the PCIe slot had gone bad, or something on the motherboard was not sending video correctly.
I ordered a new motherboard and installed it.
STILL NO VIDEO!
The computer still boots up (with no video) and I can hear it when it goes into windows, and the front display tells me it’s up and running fine!
Here’s something even crazier: after some time, the video card’s heatsink is warm, as if it’s getting power and running, but there is just no video out! Again, not even at startup. Of course I have tried all the video card's outs (DVI, S-video, and VGA)

I am completely baffled and frustrated after having exhausted all possibilities.
Can anyone think of anything I’m missing here? Here's the computer:
Intel L8D915POMS2N6S Entertainment PC

Thanks!

Strider

Hi zolem & welcome to the forums.

Ok, since you've a new motherboard, power supply and video card we can assume the problem was not with the basic hardware.

A few queries:

1. Can you hear any BIOS beeps during power on?

2. Did you tried the video out on another display/monitor?

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zolem

Hi Strider! Thanks!

1. No BIOS beeps, system thinks it's in good shape.
2. I have tried many different monitor/output configurations using multiple, working monitors, and trying all available outputs of card (DVI, s-video, and VGA).

I can hear the Windows OS booting up (the "welcome" song, etc...) so the computer thinks it's booting up fine with no issues.

bakuryu

do you see the monitor power light blinking ??

So now you have a complete new set of hardware - mobo+gpu+power supply, and I guess you still have no video. keep only the mobo, ram, and the graphics card attached -- disconnect hard disks + any additional fans (excluding the cpu heatsink fan) and see if you get any video display.

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zolem

Thanks, bakuryu...
Yeah, all monitors that I've tried are operational and working fine, and the light was not blinking..just in steady "ready" mode (yellow/amber) and not switching on (green).
I've used monitors that support DVI, VGA, and S-video.
Sooooo, I tried what you said (no hard disks or any peripherals besides the mobo+gpu+memory).
Still no video. Not even at BIOS startup.
I can only think of one thing at this point; that maybe the mobo sends a limited amp power to the video card slot (i.e. 12A instead of <18A), and so maybe the GeForce 6600 card that came with the Entertainment PC was a modified one made to work with less amperage?? And the new one doesn't work 'cause it doesn't have enough juice?
I dunno.... but I can't find any info on the D915POM mobo that specifies what the power out to the PCI Express slot is.
....sigh.

bakuryu

I am not exactly sure, but I think the video card has a separate power connector to receive power from the psu, cause the power available from PCI-E slot is not enough for most cards. Make sure your have plugged one of the molex connectors from the psu to the graphics card and your psu supplies enough power for the card.

And what is your present card and psu model.

zolem

The Video Card is an Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 and has no connectors for supplemental power; only the connectors for the monitor and the PCI-e connector. It is a no-fan model with only a heatsink for the GPU.
The PSU is a HP-G251GF3 (Hi Pro brand).

bakuryu

I guess your FX5200 is also an old card, and it didn't require additional power supply. Can you verify that the card is working by testing it on another working pc ? Also have you tried other motherboards ?

Also your PSU looks like a 250W PSU. It might be that the psu is not able to supply enough power to the mobo and hence the card is not working properly. Try with any 400~450W PSU at least and see if the card works.

and now that i looked up your pc model, it looks quite an old one, so you can try a complete upgrade or getting a new mobo+psu.

Wolfie276

i would suggest what baku said, go 450 PSU, and of course if that doesnt work try upgrading the whole comp, if that doesnt work ive got no idea whats wrong should be impossible

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zolem

Wow. SO, it turns out the video card I bought was defective!!
Holy crap, can't believe all the trouble I went through because of that!
Anyway, bought another video card, and everything is great.
Thanks for all your suggestions!