Is my graphics card a dud?

[rildil]

It had to happen some time I've been lucky i guess not ever have build issues before
building new pc

cpu:amd 64 x2 3800+
mobo:gigabyte m59sli-s5 nForce590
ram: corsair 2gb ddr2 xms2
hd: maxtor sata2 160 gig
psu: seasonic s12 600w
soundcard: audigy2 zs
graphics card connect3d x1900 xt 512mb ("this week only" 2 weeks ago)
windows xp home

Well it all came on tuesday and 'ive finally go the time to build it into my nice new lian-li case.
Everything goes smooth until i install the graphics card drivers reboot and get past the windows loading screen.. the monitor flicks on and off then off then more off
I have to start in safe mode and uninstall them to make get windows to work again on default drivers
i had already updated xp to sp2 i don't have any drives that i i didn't uninstall first i tried the latest drivers and the ones on the cd's, all the bios settings seem fine..
ive checked and re checked that the card is seated properly in its slot
i'm not sure what else to do i don't have another pci express card to swap out and see if its the card
i cant think of anything else to tell you...
does anyone have any ideas ??
is it the card that's dead or have i missed something obvious ?

 

[iViper]

Assuming you have connected the power cable.

I would try different Variations of the ATI drivers.

6.6, 6.7 and then 6.8. Even the Omega's.

Strange, its not completely dud as it works. Check the cables (monitor ones) and then report back.

 

[meghatronic]

Power cable tbh...?

 

[iViper]

Also, try another monitor.

 

[rildil]

well ive checked and double checked all the cables
could it really be the monitor???
this is an old crt one....
*goes to lug another old crt one from another room*

 

[killer_uk]

It does sound like the monitor. I've had that happen when windows tries to put the refresh rate too high.