I cannot switch to my AMD radeon graphics card

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NexusDota

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Nov 6, 2014
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Ok, so I am on my desktop with an AMD radeon 7970 and it doesn't seem to be working. I have a Bitfenix Prodigy case and on the side are ports for the graphics card only... Except it doesn't pick up any signal from it when I plug it in there, so I am forced the plug it in on the horizontal side for ports ie: I think the motherboard.

Dust has been cleaned out and ive cleaned out the computer and no viruses either... When I right click desktop there is no catlyst center for me to enter, only intel... so please please PLEASE may there be an answer to this
 
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smackers_12

smackers_12

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Plug the monitor into the motherboard, go into your bios (it will prompt you at startup to press a key) and change your primary display adaptor to your graphics card. Then turn off the system, plug your monitor into your graphics card and it should work
 
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rhysiam

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Mar 24, 2013
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Can I suggest (quickly!) that you don't do this exactly as written:

You should have 3 options:
1) JUST use onboard graphics (regardless) -> if it's set to this then that's your problem
2) DISABLE onboard graphics (IF DISCRETE CARD DETECTED) -> that's what you want to set it on
3) DISABLE onboard graphics REGARDLESS -> DO NOT set this!!

If your GPU has actually failed, setting #3 in the bios will mean you have no display... which is even worse than being stuck with Intel-only. You can reset the bios so it's not like you've bricked your machine, but you don't want to do that if you don't have to.
 
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NexusDota

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Plug the monitor into the motherboard, go into your bios (it will prompt you at startup to press a key) and change your primary display adaptor to your graphics card. Then turn off the system, plug your monitor into your graphics card and it should work...

Ok, basically the ports on the side dont work, are u saying that I need to reset bios or something??
 
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rhysiam

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No no. You actually have 2 graphics adapters, your 7970 and your onboard Intel. Through the BIOS, you tell the computer what to do when it detects 2 graphics cards.

Both @smackers & I suspect that your BIOS is set to use the onboard graphics ONLY, i.e. disable any other external graphics cards. That would explain why it doesn't work at the moment. With your monitor attached to the onboard graphics (which is working), go into the BIOS and change the settings as directed.

If that is the problem... you should then (when you reboot) be able to plug the monitor into the 7970. Windows will detect the graphics card, you can install the drivers, and then you're good to go.
 
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NexusDota

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Ok, so sorry if I am stating the obvious but here is the method I am picking up, press f8 on bootup, go into BIOS, navigate to change the onboard graphics to the 7970, reboot and then install drivers then I can go enjoy my life... Correct?
 
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smackers_12

smackers_12

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Yes do this. It will mean you will only have to change the setting once if your card is dead.
 
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rhysiam

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Every BIOS is different so we can't give you the exact steps and settings. If you're really unsure, post your motherboard manufacturer and I might be able to post a screen or at least give you the right section and settings you're looking for.

It's unlikely to be F8 (Windows uses that for safe mode). It's usually DEL, F2, F12

Watch when your computer boots and it will say down the bottom right/left. It'll be in your motherboard manual if you have it (or want to take the time to download it).
 
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smeezekitty

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Yes it needs to be on PCI-e

And many card fans will spin even without the external power connectors so I suggest checking it anyway
 
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