XFX GTX280 blank screen problem

[Corvid]

Hello all!

Having problems with my new system. The installation of XP Home goes fine, as does everything on the disc for the motherboard (an ASUS P5Q-E). However, once the drivers for the XFX GXT280 are installed, the computer will fail to show the desktop when next booted, causing the screen to turn itself off. The only way I can get back to actually seeing windows again is to format the drive and re-install windows.

This comes as a bit of a surprise... first time around, I totally forgot to install the motherboard stuff, and installed the graphics card drivers first. Everything went very smoothly after that, and I was happily playing many a game on full graphics over the next couple of days. It all started when I realised I needed some of drivers on the motherboard disc to get the network/internet working. I clicked the option that installs all the drivers at once, and on re-booting the blank screen problem started.

I've tried doing what I did first time again on a fresh install, but I get the same problem. I've also tried re-installing the graphics card, which didn't help either. Any ideas?

 

[BillTheButcher]

Does the board have onboard graphics?

 

[Bito]

Try booting in VGA mode and then setting the resolution and refresh rate for your monitor manually

 

[Corvid]

Not as far as I am aware bill!

Thanks for the suggestion Bito! I totally forgot about to so called "safe mode", that sounds like a good way around the "catch 22", and would allow me to sort out the problem perhaps...

In the mean time, I've updated the BIOS, so I'll try installing the graphics card drivers again. If that suggestion from XFX tech help doesn't work I'll try VGA mode. Many thanks to taking the time to help!

 

[Corvid]

Ok, can't see what I'm looking for in VGA mode...

Could this have anything to do with the fact that I'm unable to install the screen drivers? First time around (when it actually worked) I did manage to install the drivers, but I ignored that as a problem, because I've been consistantly unable to install them since, even after a total wipe and fresh install of windows. Yet it all worked fine first time around! Been in contact with ViewSonic, I'd like to hear thier take on this.

 

[Bito]

What Viewsonic do you have? Can also try to pull the power cable on the Viewsonic, wait about 30secs, then plug back in.

Use a standard vga connection (via convertor) to DVI.
Then install drivers and revert to DVI cable.

Good Luck

 

[Corvid]

It's a ViewSonic VLED221wm screen.

Heh, annoying how at most suggestions I think "Oh yeah, why didn't I think of that!??". I assumed there WAS no VGA connector on the screen, when there is indeed one there! Thanks once again Bito!

 

[dragy2k]

hi
do you have .NET 2.0 installed by any chance .....if so try and download it again from M$ and select repair...after its done what it needs to select reboot ..
this assuming u can get into vga mode in low res ....i had similar prob with a 4870 but only when i tryed to play cod4 .....so far so good for me ...GL

 

[Corvid]

Thank you again Bito, that unplugging suggestion fixed it! Now I have to deal with the fact that I feel like a total knob for spending 4 days trying to fix the most simple of hardware problems!

Ironically, I can now see why it worked fine when the system was sitting haphazardly on the floor: I was continually moving it around, and fotgetting the plug the screen in! The moment it was on my desk all nicely set up, the screens plug wasn't removed even once!

So yeah, thanks so much for all the help Bill and Bito!

 

[helmutcheese]

I get a Blank Screen if I leave the S-Video plugged in on 1st Reboot after installing new GPU Drivers.

I simply unplug it, reboot and then plug in and leave it till next update (minor PIA).

 

[Bito]

No problem
Glad your all sorted