[SOLVED] GPU suddenly undetected

[Skaxis]

Just some context: My PC is about 3 years old. Somewhere around the 2 year mark, my display would cut to black, however a quick restart would keep it working for the rest of the day. It started frequenting to once a day and multiple restarts to get it working for the day, and then finally to not working at all. I've been lazy about it since my integrated graphics works for the most part, but there are some nice games coming out so I figured I might as well fix it now.

As per reading other posts, I've tried the GPU on another computer, which works. I've also tested different RAM sticks and slots, and a different monitor and cables. I've updated graphics drivers as well. The fans on the GPU don't spin and it's not detected in device manager. Sometimes on quick restart via Windows, the integrated graphics will not work either, which I found out I could fix by powering down for a minute or two. Very rarely will the GPU start up, and if i leave it on it will continue to work until the next restart. I haven't tested the motherboard or PSU yet. I haven't tested the power cable that goes into the GPU either since it can't be removed. I'm not great with computers so I've also been scared to update my BIOS.

Specs:
Windows 10
8 GB RAM
Intel(R) Core(TM) 15-6500 CPU @ 3.20GHz 3.19 GHz
Gigabyte Geforce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Windforce Graphic Card
MSI H110M GAMING Intel Skylake USB 3.1 Micro ATX Motherboard

I'm leaning towards MB or PSU but again, I'm not sure. Any feedback would be appreciated!

 

[Darkbreeze]

What is the EXACT model of your power supply? This is almost certainly the issue, but let's hold out judgement for now until we know more.

Also, how old is it?

 

[Skaxis]

What is the EXACT model of your power supply? This is almost certainly the issue, but let's hold out judgement for now until we know more.

Also, how old is it?

My PSU is the EVGA 500 W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply (100-W1-0500-KR). I've had it for the full lifespan of my PC, so just over 3 years.

 

[Darkbreeze]

That's where I'd start. The B1, N1, W1 and BQ units are pretty low quality and they don't last long. Three years is probably a GOOD result for one of those units when used in a gaming machine. Even one with a low power draw architecture like yours.

I'd look at getting a good 550w unit that gives you some headroom or room to grow a bit, from the recommended models outlined here:

Discussion - PSU recommendations and power supply discussion thread - Tom's hardware

Below you will find MY standard list of recommended power supplies and beyond that this thread is intended as a landing place for questions or discussions regarding specific units, platforms or related PSU tech, all of which are all welcome to be discussed here. If it's related to power supplies...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[Skaxis]

That's where I'd start. The B1, N1, W1 and BQ units are pretty low quality and they don't last long. Three years is probably a GOOD result for one of those units when used in a gaming machine. Even one with a low power draw architecture like yours.

I'd look at getting a good 550w unit that gives you some headroom or room to grow a bit, from the recommended models outlined here:

Discussion - PSU recommendations and power supply discussion thread - Tom's hardware

Below you will find MY standard list of recommended power supplies and beyond that this thread is intended as a landing place for questions or discussions regarding specific units, platforms or related PSU tech, all of which are all welcome to be discussed here. If it's related to power supplies...

forums.tomshardware.com

I ended up purchasing a new PSU from your recommendations post, and while it fixed my restart problems, it unfortunately didn't fix the GPU detection problem.

I did a double check with the GPU in another PC again to make sure I wasn't seeing things, and it was working fine. I'm chalking it up to the mobo having a faulty slot and will be looking to replace it. The only problem is finding a compatible mobo that isn't mega expensive or ships in the next week.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Using the graphics card in question, I'd try this BEFORE you do that. Just in case. It's possible that the condition of the previous power supply has caused a corruption of the CMOS or hardware tables and sometimes a hard reset will shake it out of it's stupor.


BIOS Hard Reset procedure

Power off the unit, switch the PSU off and unplug the PSU cord from either the wall or the power supply.

Remove the motherboard CMOS battery for five minutes. In some cases it may be necessary to remove the graphics card to access the CMOS battery.

During that five minutes, press the power button on the case for 30 seconds. After the five minutes is up, reinstall the CMOS battery making sure to insert it with the correct side up just as it came out.

If you had to remove the graphics card you can now reinstall it, but remember to reconnect your power cables if there were any attached to it as well as your display cable.

Now, plug the power supply cable back in, switch the PSU back on and power up the system. It should display the POST screen and the options to enter CMOS/BIOS setup. Enter the bios setup program and reconfigure the boot settings for either the Windows boot manager or for legacy systems, the drive your OS is installed on if necessary.

Save settings and exit. If the system will POST and boot then you can move forward from there including going back into the bios and configuring any other custom settings you may need to configure such as Memory XMP profile settings, custom fan profile settings or other specific settings you may have previously had configured that were wiped out by resetting the CMOS.

In some cases it may be necessary when you go into the BIOS after a reset, to load the Optimal default or Default values and then save settings, to actually get the hardware tables to reset in the boot manager.

 

[Skaxis]

Just a quick update for anybody who may have a similar problem.

So I did all of the above including replacing the motherboard and doing a fresh Windows install and BIOS update. My quick restart problem resurfaced and I realized it was only happening when the GPU was plugged in.

I ended up opening the GPU and reseating the chip using a heat gun, which fixed my problem.

 

[Darkbreeze]

It's great that you solved your issue, but in the future do NOT select your own reply as the best answer in any thread. That breaks our rules and guidelines governing gaming the system, even where it is obviously not intended that way. Thanks and good luck.