Strange PC bootup problem - graphics card?

davejm · 18 May 2007 at 09:35

I wonder if you guys can help me with a problem I'm having with my PC.

It posts OK, but during bootup the monitor loses signal from the graphics card and I have to reboot. When I reboot, it will get a little further the second time before doing the same thing, and so on. It eventually boots OK (when it's had time to 'warm up') but I've resorted to turning it on and then leaving it for half an hour before rebooting so that it loads up correctly.

One thing I have noticed is that the fan on the graphics card makes an awful lot of noise when I first boot up, and I have to give it a nudge with my fingers to get it to spin properly - but this doesn't seem to have a direct effect on things, as even when it's spinning OK I experience the boot problem.

Is the graphics card borked? It doesn't seem overly dusty, and there aren't any obstructions to the fan, so it's not an overheating problem - as it's fine once it gets going and I can play games really well.

Any ideas? My spec is below.

Athlon 2800XP
Asus A7N8X-X
1GB RAM
Geforce 6800GT
Antec 380W PSU

mishima · 18 May 2007 at 10:07

How new is this graphics card? Have you re-checked cables to VGA-monitor? Make sure they are secure and see if this helps.

davejm · 18 May 2007 at 10:12

It's not a new graphics card. I bought it off ebay and it worked fantastically well for a few months.

I've checked all the cabling etc.

mishima · 18 May 2007 at 10:14

Re-plug the cables, its worth a try. How old is the monitor by the way and what is it?

davejm · 18 May 2007 at 10:25

It's an IBM 17" TFT... not sure on the model etc.

It's definately not the monitor/cabling as I've tried other TFT's and a CRT and I get the same problem.

mishima · 18 May 2007 at 10:30

Must be something wrong with the graphics card then if you have eliminated that. Have you tried a different cable? Once you have done that I'd suggest the graphics card is faulty.

davejm · 18 May 2007 at 10:37

I did wonder if it was a case of the PSU being underpowered, but it was working fine for a while so I doubt it.

I'm buying a new rig anyway, but it would be nice to solve this problem if possible so I can give my PC to someone else.

mishima · 18 May 2007 at 10:43

Do you have another GPU you can switch it for? This would help eliminate things greatly. Obviously if another card works and no problems are reported then it is the graphics card that is causing these problems.

melbourne720 · 18 May 2007 at 10:56

Try giving the card a dust with an air duster/paintbrush.

mishima · 18 May 2007 at 10:58

melbourne720 said:
Try giving the card a dust with an air duster/paintbrush.

OR a dyson as I do, total removes EVERY speck of dust

!! Good suggestion though hadn't thought of it.

melbourne720 · 18 May 2007 at 11:05

mishima said:
OR a dyson as I do, total removes EVERY speck of dust !! Good suggestion though hadn't thought of it.

I was chatting with the IT support guy in our office, and he was saying he uses a ladies blusher brush as they are the best for getting the dust out of fans etc. He also has a hoover at the other side of the fan.

I'm now wondering if this was an excuse for collecting ladies make-up, but what he does in his spare time is his business I suppose

mishima · 18 May 2007 at 11:19

If you ask me, I think he has a strange fetish for ladies makeup!

Another good idea though.

Nicos Rex · 18 May 2007 at 12:12

mishima said:
OR a dyson as I do, total removes EVERY speck of dust !! Good suggestion though hadn't thought of it.

A Dyson (or any other type of vacuum cleaner for that matter) is not a very good idea for all sorts of reasons.

Firstly the very rapid flow of air can cause physical damage. I have seen a motherboard stripped of several surface mount components in this way.

Secondly, there is a significant static charge generated which can cause problems.

A far better idea is to visit your local photographic shop and get some canned air and a couple of puffer brushes. One of these should be a normal round one which can either be used as it is, or the brush part pulled off to leave you with an air puffer. The second should be one of the flat type sold to clean negatives in the darkroom - the bristles are treated to prevent static generation and are long enough to get into those "awkward little places" whilst being soft enough to reduce the risk ot physical damage to a minimum.

Whilst it is important to keep a PC as dust free inside as possible, this has to be balanced with the very real risk of damage by over-zealous cleaning. Photographers have been fighting the battle against dust on delicate surfaces for a very long time indeed and their tools are by far the best for the job.

davejm · 19 May 2007 at 08:57

I gave everything a good clean. Managed to dismantle the heatsink and fan and take out loads of dust that was clogged up in there.... although no joy.

Then I tried my housemate's cheap 400W PSU, and success... it worked fine! So it seems my Antec 380W PSU is borked.

I'm now debating about whether to stick to my plan of a new build, or just buy a new PSU - which I'll be able to use in any new future build anyway.

Just out of interest, is there are PSU testing software?