Graphics card working intermittently

[LobsterNewberg]

I recently custom built a PC, using an MSI GTX 960 and MSI Gaming 5 Z97 motherboard. A problem that has recently arisen is that the card will not function or be recognised properly. To elaborate:

- I boot up my PC, the graphics are processed by the 960, everything is fine, I can play game, stress the card and do anything with no problems.
- I turn off the PC then reboot, now the monitor has no signal from the D-sub (adapted for the graphics card using the adapter that came with the card), and now the system's graphics are being processed by the integrated card on the CPU (i5-4690k with Intel HD 4600). The card is not recognised by my PC as a piece of hardware in the BIOS when this happens (recognises the PCIe slot as "empty") and Windows will not find it either.
- I reboot the computer, and the graphics boots off of either the HD 4600 integrated card or the 960, the one it boots off of seems to be utterly random. Sometimes the computer will boot the graphics from the 960 for two boots, or boot off of the HD 4600, then the 960, then the 4600 and so forth. Sometimes I have to reboot my PC 5 or 6 times before it boots off of the 960.

Please note:

- The PCI-e slot is functional, dust free etc. I have tried all the PCI-e slots on my motherboard and the problem persists.
- I have tried disabling the Intel integrated card, but the problem still persists.
- All parts for this custom build are brand new
- The power supply is adequate (500w for the 400w recommended 960), and plugged into the 8pin PCIe slot correctly. Very importantly, the card will ALWAYS appear aesthetically functional, whether or not the graphics boot from it, i.e. lights and fans will work regardless of whether or not the card is actually being used or is "recognised" by my computer.

What should I do? Should I return the card? Is the problem with the card or the motherboard? Did I just receive a DOA card? Note that none of the other hardware attached to the motherboard has experienced any problem, ie RAM, CPU or a wifi card in one of the PCI slots.

 

[rpenri]

Does the card's fan spin when you reboot and get no video signal? If that's the case, it looks like it may be a DOA card. Check the power cables to the video card too for loose wires or anything that may cause it to not receive power correctly.

LOL just saw in there you said the fan spins and everything...

IDK sounds like a bad card. But if you had another card I would test it to see if it did the same with a second card. That will tell you if the card is bad or some other component like the M/B causing the issue.

 

[LobsterNewberg]

The fan card always lights up/fans spin regardless of whether or not it's streaming data. The 8pin PCI-e cable is correctly attached and the card is securely slotted into the PCI-e slot.

On an unrelated note, the card also does not stream HDMI data correctly, as when it does work, it will only display my desktop background. I only mention this in case it may be indicative of it being faulty.

EDIT: Disregard HDMI problem.

 

[King_Potato]

Have you tried simply reinstalling the drivers for your GPU? Also, see if a driver for the HD4600 iGPU is still installed somewhere.

 

[rpenri]

The fan card always lights up/fans spin regardless of whether or not it's streaming data. The 8pin PCI-e cable is correctly attached and the card is securely slotted into the PCI-e slot.

On an unrelated note, the card also does not stream HDMI data correctly, as when it does work, it will only display my desktop background. I only mention this in case it may be indicative of it being faulty.

The fact that HDMI is not coming through correctly may mean you have the settings incorrect (setting it up as a second screen that only shows the background--which kinda is impossible if you only have the 1 display connected) or the card is DOA if when in fact the settings are correct.

 

[King_Potato]

Oh, could it be that you have a video signal cable running to both your GPU and your motherboard I/O from your monitor? That might cause conflicting issues between the two outputs.

 

[LobsterNewberg]

Have you tried simply reinstalling the drivers for your GPU? Also, see if a driver for the HD4600 iGPU is still installed somewhere.

Yes, and the drivers have been updated since the problem started. I'm convinced it's not a driver issue as the card simply does not stream data, as opposed to just streaming data in poor quality (as it would do without a driver). And the card is not recognised in the BIOS anyway.

 

[King_Potato]

And you're certain you only have ONE hdmi/vga/dvi/etc. cable running from your monitor to to your GPU, and nothing to your motherboard I/O?

 

[LobsterNewberg]

And you're certain you only have ONE hdmi/vga/dvi/etc. cable running from your monitor to to your GPU, and nothing to your motherboard I/O?

I initially thought this was the solution, as I have an HDMI in the m/b and a D-sub in the card, however when I try to boot with only one cable in the card, nothing in the motherboard, the problem happens anyway. I tried this out after reading your post and had to reboot the PC about 7 times before the graphics finally booted from the GPU and not the iGPU.

Furthermore, this problem happened whilst I only had the D-sub in the card. I attached an HDMI so that I could easily switch between inputs to make rebooting easier.

 

[King_Potato]

Maybe use the HDMI between the card and the monitor?

 

[LobsterNewberg]

Maybe use the HDMI between the card and the monitor?

Problem persists independent of cable used, whether the D-sub is in the card or the HDMI

 

[King_Potato]

Have you tried to remove the intel HD4600 driver now (presuming it's still present)?

 

[LobsterNewberg]

Have you tried to remove the intel HD4600 driver now (presuming it's still present)?

I've tried disabling the iGPU altogether and the problem persists.

The reason I think that this is a hardware issue is that when I try to view motherboard usage (ie slots in use) in the BIOS when the card isn't working, the slot that the card is plugged into is shown as being empty.

I'll try disabling the iGPU drivers, but I honestly don't think it will make a difference.

 

[LobsterNewberg]

Have you tried to remove the intel HD4600 driver now (presuming it's still present)?

Uninstalled it, problem persisted as usual.

 

[King_Potato]

I'm very certain it has something to do with the fact that you have two cables. However, it's likely only part of the solution. Please just have only the HDMI running from the graphics card to the monitor and no other cables. I'm sure it has something to do with it, but I don't know the next action in order to fully fix it.

 

[LobsterNewberg]

I'm very certain it has something to do with the fact that you have two cables. However, it's likely only part of the solution. Please just have only the HDMI running from the graphics card to the monitor and no other cables. I'm sure it has something to do with it, but I don't know the next action in order to fully fix it.

The problem started when there was only one cable in the monitor. The problem happens when only the HDMI and card are linked, it happens when the D-sub and card are linked, it happens when the HDMI is linked to the motherboard with the D-sub in the card, it happens when the D-sub is in the motherboard and the HDMI is in the card.

Since you've asked, I've tried it with only the HDMI in the card and the problem still persisted.

 

[King_Potato]

I'm very certain it has something to do with the fact that you have two cables. However, it's likely only part of the solution. Please just have only the HDMI running from the graphics card to the monitor and no other cables. I'm sure it has something to do with it, but I don't know the next action in order to fully fix it.

The problem started when there was only one cable in the monitor. The problem happens when only the HDMI and card are linked, it happens when the D-sub and card are linked, it happens when the HDMI is linked to the motherboard with the D-sub in the card, it happens when the D-sub is in the motherboard and the HDMI is in the card.

Since you've asked, I've tried it with only the HDMI in the card and the problem still persisted.

Alright, last suggestion:
-Only HDMI from the graphics card to the monitor, like it should be (always, regardless of whether it fixes it or not)
-Make sure intel HD 4600 drivers have been completely wiped off your PC
-Reboot PC
-This time, reinstall the NVIDIA drivers, but make sure you do a clean install
-reboot again
What's probably happening is that there might be some sort of GPU priority setting caused by your having had multiple cables. If that doesn't fix it, then the only thing that might work is moving your graphics card to a different PCIe slot.