Switched the CPU cooling fan and jostled the GPU

[luckyhooked]

I have an Asus Z170 motherboard with Windows 10. Had it going strong for 4 months and finally decided to switch out the stock cooler for a CoolerMaster. The install was a bit more involved than I had foreseen and I ended up jostling the GPU (Nvidia GeForce 650).

Now I can't boot into Windows. I've tried the Bootrec /MBR fixes in many threads I've Googled, with no luck. That's the main issue, however I also note that the BIOS cannot see the GPU at all. Nothing has cracked or broken and I have verified that the card is fully plugged in (I think).

Has anyone experienced this, or have a suggestion. It's really frustrating to have made a minor improvement and then be confronted with these issues.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Did you try completely removing the Nvidia card, then putting it back?

 

[luckyhooked]

Thanks for the answer! I have not, actually, although I will as soon as I get home. Until a few moments before bed I didn't even consider the GPU as a potential issue; the HDMI connection to my display is running through it and everything displays fine. Then I checked the GPU ports through the BIOS and discovered that the card was not visible (again, even though the display is running through it).

The main error that Windows outputs as it tries to boot is: INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE. Have you heard of a wonky connection with the graphics card locking down the boot drive? Regardless, I will remove and re-insert the GPU ASAP.

 

[luckyhooked]

Hi Phillip. Yep, tried re-inserting the GPU to no avail. Also switched it to the other PCI slot and that didn't do the trick either. I am still getting the INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE error and the graphics card is not recognized.

 

[Tradesman1]

In the BIOS - is primary video set to PCI-E/PEG? Is the power cable to the GPU firmly attached (and/or tried a different PCI-E 6 pin plug for power). If a modular supply is the cable firm in the PSU?

 

[luckyhooked]

Hi Tradesman1. Yes to all of those, the power situation for the GPU appears to be quite solid. After switching the GPU around to some other ports I lost HDMI connectivity through it (I could run the display through the GPU even though it was not recognized before). Now I'm running it through the motherboard.

The Asus BIOS allows you to see what's connected to the PCI slots, and in this case it's showing nothing at all no matter into which slot I plug the GPU.

How do you imagine this issue to be tied to the non-booting problem? Even with the GPU completely out I still cannot boot into Windows.

 

[Tradesman1]

Have you tried resetting the CMOS? Might check the bottom of the mobo and closely around the lead PCI-E slot and see if any of the traces or soldering look damaged. Also what CPU cooler?

 

[luckyhooked]

I did reset the CMOS, but to no avail. I appreciate all the help, at this point I think I'll get a professional to take a gander. There are too many variable involved, and I don't have the ability to really probe into the issue other than Googling error messages and posting in this forum. I will provide an update if a resolution is reached.

Thanks again to you both for your time.

 

[Bearmann]

Did you remove the CPU when you were putting on the new cooler? Perhaps a bent pin?

 

[Tradesman1]

Cooler may be on overly tight, many try to tighten them down as hard as they can, which you don't want to do