Computer issue help (video card issue/power supply)

[fizzywix]

Looking for some input on a problem I'm having. I've been using this PC for 1-2 years without a video card, just because I wasn't interested in PC gaming/laziness.

I recently tried to put in an old video card I saved, a Nvidia GeForce 6800 or something similar. When the card was installed, the computer would turn on for about 1 second then shut off. My initial thought was that the power supply was bad or didn't supply enough power. So I picked up a brand new power supply with some more wattage, and the same problem. If I take the video card out the computer works fine.

The old power supply was 350W, new one is 450W. But I used to run the same video card on the old power supply, and looking at some wattage calculators, 450W is well over enough for what I am running.

The video card has just been lying in a drawer for a year or longer, and it used to work fine. It was taken out when I got a new motherboard installed. Also, my case is pretty cheap, and the screw to hold the video card does not line up with the hole exactly, so the video card could be a little crooked when screwed in.

Could there be something wrong with the video card that causes this problem? I don't have another card to try, so I want to have some confirmation before I get a new one.

[Oktoberfest]

That is rather strange. One would assume that if the video card had a problem the computer would turn on, but there would simply just be no display showing...
well just make sure the video card is in all the way. Also make sure that you plug in a power connector into your video card if your video card needs one. Only other thing I can think of is disabling the onboard video via the BIOS. Otherwise, it could be a problem with the motherboard...

[Richard Longfellow]

If it's not a seating problem, then either the card is defective or you need to monkey around in the BIOS settings. Look for anything auto-detect, or reset BIOS to defaults. There are rare occasions where certain motherboards just flatout reject certain pieces of hardware, video card included.

[Richard Kain]

Yeah, it sounds like an incompatability with the motherboard. If you insist on using the same video card, I'd check the system BIOS. (you press the DEL key at some point when the computer is booting up, there is usually a prompt telling you which key to press)

And if that doesn't work, you will probably just have to try getting a new video card. Prices on video cards these days are very reasonable, especially if you aren't looking for state-of-the-art. (and it doesn't sound like that's what you are shooting for) Either drop by a Fry's Electronics, or check out NewEgg. You should be able to find a perfectly serviceable 3D card in the $50 or lower range.