Computer died, now it will only display anything if the graphics card isn't connected.

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
S

Stoopyface

Reputable
Feb 8, 2016
4
0
4,510
A few hours ago my computer shut itself off for no apparent reason and wouldn't display anything when booted back up. After a bit of probing I realised that the computer would work fine so long as the graphics card wasn't plugged in. A number of things have me confused though:

1. So long as the graphics card was plugged in I would get no display even on the motherboard's inbuilt display ports.

2. The graphics card still works, having tested it in another computer.

3. Plugging in a different graphics card results in the same problem.

I am by no means an expert, but my current thinking is that either the problem is with the motherboard or the PSU. Is it possible that a PSU can still function, but not be damaged and be unable to provide as much power as it once did? Also, my motherboard has two PCI-E slots, but plugging a graphics card into either of them generates the same problem, despite one never having been used before now, would that indicate that this is not a problem with the motherboard?

I really am stumped, so any help is appreciated.
 
Solution
D
You have to change a setting in the BIOS to allow the onboard to still function when an add in card is used, by default it will disable onboard to free up resources so that explains why you can't use it when the card is plugged in. The setting name varies by model/chipset so I don't know what it'll be called.

Yes the PSU could have failed in the way you mention, if you can borrow one to swap in and test I'd do that. It's especially likely if you are close to the output limit. What are your system specs and PSU rating/model?
Sort by date Sort by votes
S

Stoopyface

Reputable
Feb 8, 2016
4
0
4,510


Thanks for the help profoundnoah.

The PSU is a Seagate S12-G 650W.
The board is an MSI Z97S SLI Krait edition.

I should also make it clear that this isn't a new build, it's been working with no problems for half a year or so.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

Dugimodo

Distinguished
Sep 22, 2011
1,393
11
20,115
You have to change a setting in the BIOS to allow the onboard to still function when an add in card is used, by default it will disable onboard to free up resources so that explains why you can't use it when the card is plugged in. The setting name varies by model/chipset so I don't know what it'll be called.

Yes the PSU could have failed in the way you mention, if you can borrow one to swap in and test I'd do that. It's especially likely if you are close to the output limit. What are your system specs and PSU rating/model?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
S

Stoopyface

Reputable
Feb 8, 2016
4
0
4,510


Hi Dugimodo, I just realised I did something very stupid when testing stuff out: I tried a second graphics card in the pci-e slots, but didn't actually plug the monitor into the graphics card (I kept it in the motherboard's display port). So that would have meant that the motherboard port would have been overwritten, I'll try doing it properly tomorrow, as it's 11pm here now. Thanks for the help.

Also the graphics card thing happened with only an SSD, the CPU, two RAM sticks and the graphics card installed on a 650W PSU, which should leave plenty of headroom, but you gave me the impression that if the PSU was damaged it is unlikely to see a massive drop in power output. Would you say that's accurate?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

Stoopyface

Reputable
Feb 8, 2016
4
0
4,510
Thanks for the help both of you, I figured it out thanks to what you said about the BIOS settings. After enabling that and installing the graphics card in the second pci slot it's all working fine, so I guess the problem lay in with the first pci slot connection. Thanks again.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom