I/O error with graphics card?

[maddog11896]

Ok I'm not a PC pro by any means but I know a good chunk of stuff. Bought a GeForce 660 GTX graphics card for my computer recently, installed it, ran fine. That same day, through a series of stupid events my tower fell off my desk twice. Aside from damage to the case, the machine was actually pretty much intact, and seemed to run find aside from a few glitches here and there. Fast forward, I went on vacation and asked a trusted computer specialist friend to look at the PC while I was gone and see if anything was screwed up. I got it back and plugged it in and I guess my internal power supply was bad and it died on me so I had to get a new one. Got a new one, plug in computer, everything is on, I had to reinstall the drivers for the graphics card. I did that, restarted the machine like it asked when it was finished, yet the drivers weren't installed. Tried to manually install them, still didn't work. Went into device manager and tried to install them (if it makes a difference, my graphics card is listed as an unknown device but I assume that's because the drivers aren't installed.) I got a message that said “The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.” So I assume either the card is damaged, the CD is damaged (doubt it) or possibly the power cord for the card is damaged. Any ideas? I know it was quite a read and some of it might not make sense or is irrelevant but just wanted to provide as much info as I could.

Just came to mind, also if it makes a difference, ever since the accident, occasionally my PC will say in the bottom right hand corner of the main screen that it's not a legitimate version of Windows, but it is so I don't understand. It could be damaged.

 

[Xibyth]

Odds are likely the card short circuited when your PC fell, slipped a little out of the socket, and the electrical current jumped. Try testing it in another PC before you declare it dead though. Also download the drivers straight from Nvidia and during the installation process it will offer to do a clean install, check that box and otherwise install it normally.

Other than that never ever let someone 'take a look at it' unless you are present. I know it's very convenient to have a friend nearby that is a tech; but unless they are certified or work in a shop, if something breaks during the diagnosis or install you have no way to insure you will be reimbursed and in this situation you have no way to know what happened. I am definately not saying your friend broke your GPU, but having a shop guarantee's 9 out 10 times they will cover it if something they do breaks your machine.

Also, if your PC is heavy. I would not recommend placing on top of a desk unless it's very sturdy.