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GE Force GT 640 video card

Tags:
  • Power Supplies
  • Graphics Cards
  • Connection
  • Hard Drives
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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August 12, 2013 5:03:17 PM

I recently upgraded my Dell computer with an extra hard drive (I now have two) and a new video card (GE Force GT640). This required an upgrade of the power supply so I bought a Corsair 750W power supply. If I connect everything, the video card does not get power. (i.e. Nothing displayed on either of the two monitors). If I disconnect the second hard drive, it boots fine. I can then reconnect the second hard drive and work on it for a little while before my screen freezes.
If I disconnect one of the monitors, it will boot fine with the two hard drives.
I only have trouble when I have everything connected. It seems like an obvious power issue, but the 750W should be plenty powerful. Any suggestions o what could be going on? I've checked all the connections and they are plugged in properly.

More about : force 640 video card

a b ) Power supply
a c 185 U Graphics card
August 12, 2013 6:17:36 PM

I doubt you needed a new PSU.

I'm not quite sure what's going on but I seriously doubt it's a power issue, at least not the Power Supply. For one thing, MONITORS have their own Power Supply so why would disconnecting one fix anything?

I have no idea why disconnecting the 2nd hard drive would help.

Possible problems:
1) Software issue, maybe drivers
2) Defective motherboard.
3) Defective video card.

Troubleshooting:
1) Try your old power supply.
2) Try your OLD graphics solution with both hard drives
3) Try a DIFFERENT, dedicated graphics card if possible.
4) Try booting the Windows drive from all SATA connections toensure they work
5) Try installing Windows from scratch on the new hard drive, then see if both monitors work (If you don't have Windows, try Ubuntu).

*You've got a weird error. Basically troubleshooting a confusing error like this mostly involves SWAPPING PARTS (even the Operating System).
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a c 166 ) Power supply
a c 342 U Graphics card
August 12, 2013 6:52:55 PM

+1^
See if you can get everything running smoothly with just one monitor connected. Was the 2nd HDD new or used? Btw, you sure didn't need a 750W PSU for that little gfx card. Whatever you had in originally was probably enough. The GT 640 is only a 65W card maxed out.
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August 13, 2013 3:56:35 AM

photonboy said:
I doubt you needed a new PSU.

I'm not quite sure what's going on but I seriously doubt it's a power issue, at least not the Power Supply. For one thing, MONITORS have their own Power Supply so why would disconnecting one fix anything?

I have no idea why disconnecting the 2nd hard drive would help.

Possible problems:
1) Software issue, maybe drivers
2) Defective motherboard.
3) Defective video card.

Troubleshooting:
1) Try your old power supply.
2) Try your OLD graphics solution with both hard drives
3) Try a DIFFERENT, dedicated graphics card if possible.
4) Try booting the Windows drive from all SATA connections toensure they work
5) Try installing Windows from scratch on the new hard drive, then see if both monitors work (If you don't have Windows, try Ubuntu).

*You've got a weird error. Basically troubleshooting a confusing error like this mostly involves SWAPPING PARTS (even the Operating System).


Thanks for the reply. The old power supply was only 300W and the graphics card required 350W. Here's a little more background...

I've had two hard drives for about a year now. The boot sector became corrupted in the primary drive so I bought a new 1TB Black to replace it. The second drive is just for data storage. While installing the hard drive, I noticed the fan wasn't working on the graphics card. Tried cleaning up the fan, but it wouldn't work so I went and bought the GT640. Since my power supply was only 300W and the graphics card required 350W, I bought a RetailPlus 465W Power supply. When I started my computer I began having the problems I mention above. Thinking the 465W still wasn't enough, I went and bought the 750W (knowing it was overkill). The 750W didn't solve the problem.
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Best solution

a b ) Power supply
a c 185 U Graphics card
August 13, 2013 5:09:27 PM

Power Supply:
Just to be clear, all three of your PSU's appear adequate. You might as well keep the 750W installed since you have it and the 465W as a backup. No need for the 300W so give it away or throw it out.

*You should have included your troubleshooting with the PSU (tried the 465W, didn't work, then 750W didn't work) because knowing that, it's obvious it's not a Power Supply problem at all.

"Racing issue"
I doubt that.

BIOS:
Probably not related, but update your BIOS anyway if it's not the latest.

REINSTALLING WINDOWS:
Unless it's a physical damaged motherboard, I think it's a software issue. Possibly something hard to locate and fix.

REINSTALLING WINDOWS on pre-built PC:

1. backup any data
2. write down programs you use (for easy reinstallation)
3. Unhook the 2nd data drive
4. RESTORE Windows using the F-Key approach (Factory Restore; should be a hidden backup on main drive)

5. Update MAIN CHIPSET driver for motherboard and any other relevant motherboard drivers (see Dell support site; Dell Support Center software or whatever it's called may do this automatically. Your DELL NUMBER on sticker can take you to proper site).

6. Update latest NVIDIA drivers from NVidia site.
7. Microsoft Updates
8. *MEMTEST
9. Hook up 2nd Hard Drive and test for your ORIGINAL ISSUE.
10. Reinstall Programs, restore missing data etc
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