I believe my graphics card is dunzo and needs to be replaced, so would like upgrade suggestions based on my machine. But first, here's what happened:
My dual monitors all of a sudden went black (plugged into the graphics card's 2 VGI ports, as they have been for years). I've tested the monitors and cables with other hardware and they are fine. I'm currently plugged into my onboard video VGA. I tried rolling back to older Nvidia drivers, as well as taking out, cleaning, and reseeding the graphics card. But the monitors still just flash "No VGI Connection" and won't display. Switching to the onboard VGA I instantly get the display. BIOS is reading PCI (I tried PCI-e as well but nothing). PSU is only 300watt but I haven't added any hardware or changed my configuration in any way before this issue.
Here's what's odd: Device Manager recognizes the graphics card and says it's working fine, and I used one of Dell's hardware testing programs which put the graphics card through a series of tests which the program said it passes 100%. But for the life of me I can't get a display. So, unless anyone can offer any other tests or ideas, I'm thinking I'll just spend $50-$100 to replace the graphics card and cross my fingers that does it.
Specs:
Dell Inspiron 531
2.8 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core
3GB Memory
Board: Dell Inc. 0RY206 (Serial: CN698617920423)
BIOS: Dell Inc. 1.0.7 11/09/2007
NVIDIA GeForce 6150SW nForce430
300watt PSU
I'd love suggestions on a slightly upgraded card that works with my board and 300watt PSU, or someone to convince me I should upgrade the PSU as well. If any additional information is needed on my end, just let me know. Thanks so much, the help is greatly appreciated.
My dual monitors all of a sudden went black (plugged into the graphics card's 2 VGI ports, as they have been for years). I've tested the monitors and cables with other hardware and they are fine. I'm currently plugged into my onboard video VGA. I tried rolling back to older Nvidia drivers, as well as taking out, cleaning, and reseeding the graphics card. But the monitors still just flash "No VGI Connection" and won't display. Switching to the onboard VGA I instantly get the display. BIOS is reading PCI (I tried PCI-e as well but nothing). PSU is only 300watt but I haven't added any hardware or changed my configuration in any way before this issue.
Here's what's odd: Device Manager recognizes the graphics card and says it's working fine, and I used one of Dell's hardware testing programs which put the graphics card through a series of tests which the program said it passes 100%. But for the life of me I can't get a display. So, unless anyone can offer any other tests or ideas, I'm thinking I'll just spend $50-$100 to replace the graphics card and cross my fingers that does it.
Specs:
Dell Inspiron 531
2.8 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core
3GB Memory
Board: Dell Inc. 0RY206 (Serial: CN698617920423)
BIOS: Dell Inc. 1.0.7 11/09/2007
NVIDIA GeForce 6150SW nForce430
300watt PSU
I'd love suggestions on a slightly upgraded card that works with my board and 300watt PSU, or someone to convince me I should upgrade the PSU as well. If any additional information is needed on my end, just let me know. Thanks so much, the help is greatly appreciated.