[SOLVED] video card for emachines el1850g-42w

[TRJ]

emachines el1850g-42w
I would like to get a video card for this older machine. I understand there are power supply considerations and physical dimensions to consider also. I only want 2 HDMI ports so I can run older design software for home projects, don't need super fast stuff just support for 2 monitors(TVs) I tried a VGA in to HDMI out adapter, didn't work and I think it did something to the VGA port on my PC. So any suggestions or assistance is greatly appreciated.
Thanx

 

[popatim]

I would check your local used market for a gt520 or gt710 for ones that have both HDMI and DVI ports. DVI to HDMI is a simple /cheap adapter.

 

[TRJ]

Hello popatim, I found an MSI GT 710 2GD3 LP Gaming GeForce GT 710 2GB GDRR3 64-bit HDCP Support DirectX 12 OpenGL 4.5 Single Fan Low Profile Graphics Card on e-b for about $55. It's brand new (not crazy about used or refurbished stuff) so that doesn't seem too expensive. I think I'm gonna try it. I'll be back when I get it and see if that does the trick.
Thanx a bunch

 

[TRJ]

Hello popatim, I found an MSI GT 710 2GD3 LP Gaming GeForce GT 710 2GB GDRR3 64-bit HDCP Support DirectX 12 OpenGL 4.5 Single Fan Low Profile Graphics Card on e-b for about $55. It's brand new (not crazy about used or refurbished stuff) so that doesn't seem too expensive. I think I'm gonna try it. I'll be back when I get it and see if that does the trick.
Thanx a bunch

Hello again popatim, I got the gt 710 card and it fit right into the slot once I removed the included VGA port. Now I get a lot of 'snow'. I got a feeling I'm gonna have to figure out a way to use the original VGA port of the PC to set up the card. Or possibly I don't have enough power supply, or maybe there are some jumpers. I got my newer PC to work so this isn't an emergency any more, so I can take my time and troubleshoot the problem.
Thanks for all of your help

 

[TRJ]

Hello again. I got a graphics card, the 710 I mentioned before. I've been trying to get it to work for several weeks now with no luck. I've tried using every video output on the machine, even the original VGA, nothing works. I've tried booting up in safe mode, still nothing. All I get on any monitor I try to use is 'No Input on D-Shell', whichever output or monitor I use. I don't see any jumpers or any DIP switches or any other physical set up.
I wonder if I pulled the integrated GPU, would windows 7 try to find another video output by itself (this is rather doubtful, but thought I'd put it out there). If I made a crossover Ethernet cable, could I use that to see what is happening on the machine from another PC? (Again, rather doubtful) I'm just grabbin at straws now. Is there a way test to see if I have enough power from the original power supply? I have to try something pretty soon or I won't be able to return the video card I purchased.

 

[hang-the-9]

Hello again popatim, I got the gt 710 card and it fit right into the slot once I removed the included VGA port. Now I get a lot of 'snow'. I got a feeling I'm gonna have to figure out a way to use the original VGA port of the PC to set up the card. Or possibly I don't have enough power supply, or maybe there are some jumpers. I got my newer PC to work so this isn't an emergency any more, so I can take my time and troubleshoot the problem.
Thanks for all of your help

What do you mean you removed the included VGA port? The system already had a video card installed? Does it work without the new card?

 

[TRJ]

Well, the gt 710 card came with 3 ports, DVI, HDMI, and a removable VGA port. I think it is removable because the card won't physically fit into the PC with that port installed. The system did not already have a video card in it, it has an integrated GPU with its own VGA port on the back of the PC. The one on the PC seems to have failed, that's why I bought the video card. Since the original VGA port does not seem to work, I can't do any set-up that might be required. I even plugged the new VGA port that came with the new video card back in (by leaving the PC cover off) and that one does not work either. If it weren't for the pandemic, I would just take the PC in and have an expert look at it.

 

[hang-the-9]

Well, the gt 710 card came with 3 ports, DVI, HDMI, and a removable VGA port. I think it is removable because the card won't physically fit into the PC with that port installed. The system did not already have a video card in it, it has an integrated GPU with its own VGA port on the back of the PC. The one on the PC seems to have failed, that's why I bought the video card. Since the original VGA port does not seem to work, I can't do any set-up that might be required. I even plugged the new VGA port that came with the new video card back in (by leaving the PC cover off) and that one does not work either. If it weren't for the pandemic, I would just take the PC in and have an expert look at it.

So the computer did not have a display on the old card, no display on the new card, could simply be the computer itself is the issue. Bad motherboard, RAM, maybe something else, maybe even the cable or monitor unless you tried others of those also.

You must be talking about the 710 having a split video port on it for using it with a small form case but still having a good amount of ports, those are pretty rare but they exist. They use a cable connected to a video port that goes into a second slot next to the main card.

It may be a power issue, emachines are cheap and use low end components. I may be a power supply issue or the PCIe slot is not providing enough power, even though a 710 is about as low power as you can get.

 

[TRJ]

Yep, hang-the-9, looks like you got all info all right. The only way to install the 710 is to remove (or move) the VGA port so it will fit into the small form PC. And yep I know it it's a low end machine I bought mainly for MS Office work, internet, stuff like that cuz they don't require a high power PC. Even my design software worked pretty good on it, although a little slow, but tolerable for home use. The only reason I replaced it was because my anti-virus software was not compatible with W 7. Now, everything worked fine right up to the point where I tried that VGA to HDMI adapter. I can't think of anything the adapter may have messed up, but with subpar components in the PC, it may have taken something out.
Does anyone know of a way, like circuit board pins or test points that I might use to do some troubleshooting? Like maybe test power to the video card, or check the ram, keeping in mind I can't see anything going on cuz of no monitor.
I looked at the PSU specs, it says not to exceed 80W on the +3.3 V and the +5 V, and not to exceed 220W on the +3.3 V, +5 V, the + and - 12V. All the voltages I can see listed should not exceed 230W. I see in the specs for the 710 it recommends at least 300W.
If there is no way to see if there is not enough power, then I guess I might try another power supply and see if that works.
Again, thanks for the help

 

[Wolfshadw]

If I read this correctly, the whole reason you started this was because you were having issues with the on-board graphics (VGA out) of your computer. Just plugging in a VGA to HDMI adapter should not have caused any issues unless they were pre-existing and just happened to fail at the same time you tried the adapter.

Check the VGA output of the motherboard to make sure there isn't a pin stuck in there.

The GT 710 only draws 19 watts of power and the Intel Celeron E3400 is a 65 watt CPU. In combination with each other, it should not place any undue strain on even your low powered power supply.

I would try removing the GT 710 completely from the PC and connect your display back up to the VGA out of your motherboard (to a VGA input on a display). If that works, your system is still functional. If not, then it's likely the motherboard's North Bridge chip set (where the integrated graphics are controlled) has failed and the system is dead.

-Wolf sends

 

[TRJ]

Hi Wolfshadw, you're close. The very first problem I had was my then current anti-virus software was not compatible with W7. I replaced the computer with a new one. Saved the old Emachines for a back up. Got the new PC running, then a few months later my design software stopped working (don't know why, all of a sudden it became incompatible with W10??). So I wanted to use the old E-machines to run my design software. Found my new anti-virus works with both W7 and W10. I wanted to run an HDMI TV for a monitor so I bought a VGA-HDMI adapter plug. I should have run the computer first, but I didn't because it was functioning fine when I shut it down and moved it. So when I went to install the new anti-virus on the old E-machines, I couldn't get the TV to work, so I connected an old VGA monitor to the VGA port that came with the computer, the one on the back of the case. When I tried to boot up, I didn't get anything on the monitor either. All I got from both the monitor and the TV is 'No Signal On xxx' (they were not connected at the same time), That's why I bought the new video card. In my research and on advice from others, I got the 710 for the very reasons you stated, compatibility, physical fit and low power consumption.
I will again try removing the 710 and use the VGA monitor. I'll post results when I try that.
Thanks for the info.

 

[TRJ]

Hi again Wolfshadw . I removed the video card, plugged an old VGA monitor into the original VGA output and tried to boot up. Still nothing, no signal message again. I then tried the 32" HD TV (it has a VGA input and this is what I had been using for years) and still no signal. I have several VGA cables and tried them all. I was thinking of removing the GPU from the motherboard to see if windows would find the new card, I thought the integrated GPU on the motherboard was removable, but I discovered it is soldered in place once I removed the heat sink.
I packed up the video card and hope I can return it for refund. I don't know how to check the North Bridge chip set, or if it can be replaced if it is done for.
Once again, thanks for the help.

 

[Wolfshadw]

I don't know how to check the North Bridge chip set, or if it can be replaced if it is done for.

No. It cannot be replaced.

If the system doesn't turn on with no graphics card installed (just the integrated graphics) and you get the same result WITH the graphics card installed, then the system is likely toast. I'd go ahead and try to get your money back for the GT 710.

-Wolf sends

 

[TRJ]

No. It cannot be replaced.

If the system doesn't turn on with no graphics card installed (just the integrated graphics) and you get the same result WITH the graphics card installed, then the system is likely toast. I'd go ahead and try to get your money back for the GT 710.

-Wolf sends

Yeah, I was afraid of something like that. I did notice the very first time I unplugged the HDMI cable, of course after I found out nothing worked, that the shell of the female side of the HDMI port on the adapter plug came out with the cable. (I can post a pic if it helps). The very first thought I had was that I wondered if that shorted something when I pulled the cable out.
I'm gonna see about motherboards, but I'd probably be better of looking for a used PC.
Thanks again

 

[TRJ]

Hello all of you that offered advice. Thank you all, all of the input you all gave me was solid stuff. Here is what someone from another community told me to try :
I removed all cables including power cord, pressed and held the power button for 30sec. I plugged in the power cord and display cable, turned on the original VGA monitor and restarted the computer. I'll be darned, it just booted up like nothing ever happened. I then plugged the newer HD TV with the VGA input, and that one also worked like a charm. (too bad I already returned the video card!)
Once again, thanks all