Can't Use Discrete Video Card Anymore?

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brispuss

Splendid
Dec 27, 2014
2,607
26
26,490
Computer will no longer boot with discrete video card installed in PCIe slot.

This situation occurred after trying to connect optical drives SATA cables while the computer was shutdown (actually it was in standby mode, but I though it was shutdown). In the process of installing the SATA cables, the computer tried to wake up but then stopped with no display on monitor and error code(s) A2 and A3 displayed on "Dr Debug" module on motherboard.

Tried clearing CMOS, reseating video card and ensuring that all (data) cables were connected properly, but still get error codes A2 and A3 and no display on monitor.

Disconnected all drives except for one HDD (boot drive with two partitions; one partiton for Windows & 64 bit and the other partition with Windows XP 32 bit). And also tried another HDD (with Windows 7 32 bit) by itself, but continue to get errors A2 and A3 and no monitor display.

Removed video card and replaced with a brand new card, but still no boot and still get error codes A2 and A3.

Removed video card and used integrated graphics instead. This time computer booted up, but continue to receive error codes A2 and A3 on Dr Debug module.

BIOS and Windows recognize all 8 GB memory after booting up using integrated graphics.

SATA mode is set to "IDE" in BIOS to allow booting under Windows XP, since Windows XP doesn't support AHCI SATA mode (which is normally used for Windows 7).

Tried another SATA port, but still get error codes.

I would like to get a discrete video card working again, if possible, but it is suspected there might be a problem with the PCIe slot(?)


Motherboard is ASRock Fata1ity Z77 Performance.


Suggestions?
 
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dbratton54

Honorable
Jan 29, 2014
105
0
10,710
Those codes are indicating that the system is stopping when it tries to boot from your HDD. It's like there is no OS on the drives. Check your boot sequence in the BIOS. Considering that you were connecting cables when the system was in standby and woke up, I am hoping you didn't do some damage.
 
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B

brispuss

Splendid
Dec 27, 2014
2,607
26
26,490
Yes. I did check the boot sequence in BIOS, and there is only the single HDD to boot from, so there shouldn't be an issue there.

Reinstalled the original video card again and connected it to the monitor, but the system still fails to boot (with error codes A2 and A3). But with the video card still installed and the monitor connected this time to integrated graphics, the system boots and runs but continue to receive error codes A2 and A3.

I vaguely recall having difficulty getting the system to boot after completing the build a few years ago. I think I had to fiddle with the memory modules and possibly the video card as well in order to get the system to boot. Suspect that this motherboard may be a bit flaky to begin with, as I've never had issues with other computer builds.

So at this stage it seems the PCIe slot (with the discrete video card installed) may be faulty(?)

Fortunately, the computer is usable for most tasks using integrated graphics, but is no good for tasks/games requiring more intensive graphics processing.


EDIT: The discrete video card is working again!!? Not quite sure what was wrong initially with the card no longer being detected?

I thought I checked the BIOS setting for the Primary VGA was set at PCIe initially, so the video card should have worked. But I changed the setting to integrated graphics anyway to get the computer basically running using integrated graphics. Then I reinstalled the video card and made sure the video card was seated firmly by pressing down firmly on the card into the PCIe slot once again. Then uninstalled discrete video card drivers, and then reinstalled the drivers. Made sure in BIOS that the Primary VGA was set to PCIe instead of inbuilt/integrated graphics. And now the video card works again!

The most likely scenario seems to be that the video card was knocked slightly loose from some of the contacts in the PCIe slot while arranging the SATA cables which caused the boot problems initially(?)
 
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