GeForce GT 640 card issues.

[StarScar]

Hello.

I just bought a GeForce GT 640 graphics card and I just installed it on my Dell Inspiron 530. It doesn't seem to be working as my monitor is black and won't detect the HDMI or the analog cable. My monitor works fine, b/c I had to plug it into the analog port of the integrated graphics on the CPU.

I have no idea what could be wrong. My stock PSU meets the 350 W minimum requirements, but my computer isn't detecting the newly installed hardware.

Any help with this issue would be greatly appreciated.

 

[siddharthmukul007]

update you bios and check if it is detected or not.

once that is done...you need to switch the graphics from integrated to pci-e via the bios.


also check out this link just in case:

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

 

[StarScar]

Thanks for your reply.

I haven't updated my bios yet. I'm not sure how to do that. I'll look into that part when I have more time. I also haven't uninstalled the drivers for the old AMD card. I managed to uninstall the AMD catalyst on the Vista partition.

Thanks. It looks like I have plenty of wattage left. I don't see that there would be too much of a deficit of power.

 

[siddharthmukul007]

just go to the support section of the Dell website and you will find the BIOS update along with the other drivers.
you will also find detailed instruction on how to do that there itself.

 

[bradum]

The problem is likely not the power supply, but you should check the Asus power supply calculator to make sure your power supply is accurate. If you're still using the 350W power supply that came with the computer you should really think about upgrading, especially if you're putting in components with 350 as the minimum.

 

[StarScar]

just go to the support section of the Dell website and you will find the BIOS update along with the other drivers.
you will also find detailed instruction on how to do that there itself.

Thanks. I'll be sure to do that, though at the moment I'm on my Mac at school, so I'll look into it when I get back.

The problem is likely not the power supply, but you should check the Asus power supply calculator to make sure your power supply is accurate. If you're still using the 350W power supply that came with the computer you should really think about upgrading, especially if you're putting in components with 350 as the minimum.

That's something that I have been thinking about. Those stock power supplies are okay, but they're probably barely 75% efficient, and cheaply made. They work okay, but only okay.

I should mention that ever since I installed the GT 640 card, my PC has been having an issue when it turns on. It'll struggle to turn on, like it'll toggle on and off a few times before it turns on for good. Perhaps the motherboard is barely able to draw enough energy from the PSU power the card. I would prefer not to have to get another PSU simply b/c of what a pain it'll be to have to reconnect all the computer components only to find out my computer won't turn on, or if the new PSU doesn't fit in the case. I've never ever replaced a PSU before, but I'll do it if I have to.

I was thinking about getting this PSU: http://www.antec.com/product.php?id=63&fid=11. It seems like it would fit inside my case and it's efficient. Is an extra 30 W sufficient?

 

[bradum]

If it seems like it's struggling to turn on that sounds like it may not be getting enough power, but it could be several other things of other things. Regardless, I'd probably look for a sale on at least a 500W. You could probably get a decent 750W for $75 if you find a good sale. If the PSU is the issue, an extra 30W might help, but if it's not it could be pretty bad for your computer. As I said before, I'd go 500 at a minimum.

 

[siddharthmukul007]

the gt640 has a tdp of 65w...lets not start suggesting purchase yet...atleast till he has done what can be done from his own side.
also consider psu as the problem...until it is solved....but it is a good idea to go only one step at a time.

 

[StarScar]

Taking bradum's comments into account, I would agree that my computer is struggling to power up w/ the new video card, so it's reasonable to believe that my computer is indeed struggling to power up. Interestingly enough, I checked the system requirements on my old card that came w/ my computer, and say that the power requirements is 400 W. Here is an image of my old card along w/ the specs: http://bit.ly/ZLQfqV. How is it that my computer was running video card w/ a PSU that didn't meet the minimum wattage for that card?

I'm thinking of opening up my computer and seeing if the card is fully seated. I may even reinstall the old card to see if it's not just the new card that's not working. Oh, and w/ a certain degree of embarrassment, I should say that in my zeal to install the GT 640 into my new computer, I broke the plastic securing bracket when attempting to remove the old card. I bent it too far. Would there be any catastrophic implications for my PC b/c of this? I mean, I didn't just try to use brute force and rip out the card from the slot — I was as delicate as possible, I even made sure to ground myself before handling the components. I just hope I didn't somehow damage my PCI-e slot or something. Yeah, I do feel like a bit of an ass.

the gt640 has a tdp of 65w...lets not start suggesting purchase yet...atleast till he has done what can be done from his own side.
also consider psu as the problem...until it is solved....but it is a good idea to go only one step at a time.

Yes, it remains to be seen if there aren't any components damaged. I just wanna know the damage (if any) before I go in again.

 

[siddharthmukul007]

good luck with that.
for the part that you stated your psu not meeting the minimum power requirement of the previous card and still being able to run it.that is because most of the manufacturers state the power requirement at a level well above its minimum requirement to ensure that even if you have a worst psu you will still be able to run it at ease.
also depends on the other hardware you are using.
one can have a CPU with a tdp as high as 125w or as low as 25w.
card manufacturers always take the worse case scenario.

 

[StarScar]

Okay. I actually haven't installed the old card to see that it worked. I just made sure that the GT 640 was seated properly in the slot. I also went to Dell's website to install some drivers, but I couldn't update my drivers. However, my computer has finally detected the new video card, but in the properties menu for the card I get this message: This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use. (Code 12). I haven't restarted my computer yet, so just wondering if I have to do anything extra.

Also, my computer is still struggling to start up. It'll start up after it toggles on and off a few times. When restarting the computer, everything shuts off completely and the aforementioned start issues still happen. It never used to happen when I would restart.

 

[siddharthmukul007]

how much ram do you have?

 

[StarScar]

how much ram do you have?

6 GB.

 

[bradum]

Definitely try your old card again and see if it works. If not, then it is most likely to be the damaged PCI slot if your integrated video is working fine. If it does work you might want to try your new card in a more powerful computer (if you can get your hands on one. Use a friend's perhaps). If it doesn't work in the other computer it's likely a defective card. Also, you might want to try un-installing your old graphics card drivers (and any other graphics drivers) and download/install the latest drivers for the GTX 640 from the nVidia website. <-- I'd probably try that first

 

[StarScar]

Definitely try your old card again and see if it works. If not, then it is most likely to be the damaged PCI slot if your integrated video is working fine. If it does work you might want to try your new card in a more powerful computer (if you can get your hands on one. Use a friend's perhaps). If it doesn't work in the other computer it's likely a defective card. Also, you might want to try un-installing your old graphics card drivers (and any other graphics drivers) and download/install the latest drivers for the GTX 640 from the nVidia website. <-- I'd probably try that first

So I reinstalled the old card and it worked fine. The computer was able to detect it, and the computer turned on like it normally does. It's only when the new card is installed do I have the start up issues that I mentioned before. I don't really have access to a more powerful computer, nor does any friend that I know of. I'm curious as to why when the new card makes my computer struggle to power up when its installed.

 

[bradum]

There's always the chance that it's just a faulty card. Maybe take it to a local computer shop and see if they mind just sticking it in one of their test benches and see if it works. Worst case they say no.

 

[StarScar]

Yeah, I guess I could do that. If it doesn't work, I can return it to newegg.com before the 30 day window. I'll assume that the thirty day window starts when you first placed the order, rather than the date of receipt.

 

[siddharthmukul007]

6gb of ram is more than enough for any drivers to work properly.
open task manager to see if there are any programs that are using up too much resources than required...also ensure that you have .net framework and visual c++ updated.

 

[StarScar]

6gb of ram is more than enough for any drivers to work properly.
open task manager to see if there are any programs that are using up too much resources than required...also ensure that you have .net framework and visual c++ updated.

Okay. How do I go about doing that? Will this allow my computer to detect the new card?

Also, there's still the power up issue w/ the new card install. It doesn't happen w/ the old card installed.

 

[StarScar]

Another issue I've been having is w/ an SM Bus Controller not configured correctly. I don't know if this has anything to do w/ the new video card, but if it does, it should be fixed. Anyways, Windows is unable to find the driver software for that device. I have no idea what it's for.

 

[siddharthmukul007]

firstly.....remove the battery of your mainboard for about a minute or so and then put it back again....this would reset all settings to default.

after you boot up.....update windows completely.

also download the latest drivers for your card from nvidia website and install them after a complete sweep of all previous drivers.

 

[StarScar]

Okay. I haven't really tried disconnecting the battery on the mobo. I did install a 500 W PSU, but no dice. Same problems. Is there a chance that that card itself is defective or is this simply par for the course w/ Nvidia or MSI?

 

[bradum]

Okay. I haven't really tried disconnecting the battery on the mobo. I did install a 500 W PSU, but no dice. Same problems. Is there a chance that that card itself is defective or is this simply par for the course w/ Nvidia or MSI?

It is definitely possible that the card itself is defective. That's why I was suggesting you try it in another computer.

 

[StarScar]

It is definitely possible that the card itself is defective. That's why I was suggesting you try it in another computer.

Unfortunately, I don't really have access to another PC to test it out on. If it's not working like it should, even w/ a more powerful PSU, then maybe it's the card. The only way to confirm this is to try it out on different computer. I definitely won't be getting anything manufactured by MSI in the future. I bought this card from MSI b/c it's cheap, but I got what I paid for.

Maybe I'll try disconnecting the battery from my mobo.

 

[bradum]

Unfortunately, I don't really have access to another PC to test it out on. If it's not working like it should, even w/ a more powerful PSU, then maybe it's the card. The only way to confirm this is to try it out on different computer. I definitely won't be getting anything manufactured by MSI in the future. I bought this card from MSI b/c it's cheap, but I got what I paid for.

Maybe I'll try disconnecting the battery from my mobo.

If there's a local computer shop near you and you bring it in they might help you out for free. If the card is faulty, feel free to do what you want... but... I was like that for a while with EVGA, had a couple faulty cards and wouldn't buy from them any more. Turns our faulty cards happen more often than you'd think. Between my own builds and ones I've done for others I've purchased 7 graphics cards, 3 of which have been faulty (2 EVGA and an ASUS) and I know a couple friends that have had issues with Gigabyte and MSI. Maybe it's just bad luck, but it happens even with the biggest brand names. Again, if it makes you feel more comfortable, by all means stay away from MSI... Just thought my experience might change your mind a little though. Good luck with your card sir.