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Help, I'm confused


Sportsman

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My PC is an old Dell workstation. I have a Video card with one VGA output and one DVi output going to two screens, both with VGA input, so I use a converter on the DVi output.

I have acquired two new (to me) screens, both with DVi input and have also acquired an old Nvidiaquadro FX3700 card with two DVi outputs

Should be pretty straightforward as I thought.

So, put the new card into the PC, connect the screens and switch on and hey presto, nothing.

So, what is likely to be the problem?

I am happy the PC is booting up OK, at least it does with the other cards/screen attached.

All I know about the card is that the fan runs. I don't know about drivers and I can't find out because the screens don't work. I did download the driver for the card using my old card/screen but I can't open it because the new card isn't in the machine. The screens both power up but say no signal.

I tried running one of the DVi screens from the DV output on the old card (which works with the VGA adapter) but still got no signal.

Any suggestions on where to start?

Edit

A little more information.

Output on video card is DVI I

Input on screens is DVI D

Cables are DVI D

Edited by Sportsman

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If the old card is on the motherboard you may need to go into the bios to tell it not to use it usualy f2 or delete or f10 to get into the bios.

Ah rereading its not a mobo one i suggest using the old card to get the drivers then stick in the new card at the next boot after they are installed

Generally though windows will run any card in low detail and let you put the drivers in so your card maybe shot but check the card doesnt need a power lead many do and wont work without one more than the fans

Looking at the specs its not that powerful compared to even budget cards today so might not be worth the effort

If theres no logo on boot i think the card is shot and only reseating it checking the gold plated contacts are clean is the most you can do

As for the monitors they do run under different resolutions but on boot they should do something so test them with a known working card and go through the menu as some need instructions on what resolution to use other than the default

As for the connections...

http://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/221/~/what-is-the-difference-between-dvi-i-and-dvi-d%3F

On old cards only one output works at a time it has more choice to what output you use but some can only use one at a time

Edited by chesters1

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A step forward.

I connected the new DVI monitor to the DVI output on the old card and it works so I know the monitor and cables are OK.

I am coming to the conclusion that it is the new card that is duff.

The card dates from 2008, about the same time as the workstation and was in fact more or less developed to go in the workstation so I was hoping they would be well matched. The big attraction to me was price - £10.00 and the fact it has dual DVI outputs to match my two DVI screens.

I don't play games, I only want it for DTP and some image editing and a little light video editing so it should be more than good enough for that.

I will have another shot at the full install tomorrow.

Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be.

 

 

Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity

 

 

 

http://www.safetypublishing.co.uk/
http://www.safetypublishing.ie/

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Are you able to put both graphics card in the machine at the same time (the old working one and the new one)

 

Computers can take more than one card without conflicts btw.

 

Connect one screen to the old working card and one screen to the new one.

 

This way you can atleast get in and see the device manager for any issues with the new card, install drivers, and if its being picked up at all.

 

You can also go to your monitor settings where you change screen resolution (win7 - right click desktop, select properties) if the new card is picked up there will be two monitor icons (Click identify to know which is which).

 

Select the monitor connected to the new card and see the drop down (under the monitor icons) that lets you select the monitors video/display adapter (card)

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OK, thank you both for your suggestions.

Andy, both the cards arePCiE 16X but I only have one PCEiE 16X slot.

I do have spare PCiE 8X slot so if I just cut the solid end out of that slot so that the card fits into it, should that work?

I have one of the new screen working and it is a great improvement over the old one. I would love to have them both up and running and the holiday weekend seems like a good time to do it.

Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be.

 

 

Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity

 

 

 

http://www.safetypublishing.co.uk/
http://www.safetypublishing.ie/

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