VGA Cooler Killed My Video Card?

Rico-SajakRico-Sajak
edited February 2005 in Hardware
Hi,

Brand spankin' new to these forums. I saw this specific area (emergency help) and thought you guys might be able to help.

Recently my ATI Radeon 9700 Pro has been overheating (3D apps would freeze my computer). My temporarily solution was to open the side of my case and crack open my window next to my computer (Ohio winter air always does the trick). This worked for me, but naturally I wanted a more permanent solution.

I purchased an Arctic Cooling VGA Cooler for the video card and it seemed to install without a hitch. I didn't run in to any complications. When I tried to boot up again, my computer POSTed and seemed to be running fine except that my monitor would not display anything. It just says the "Monitor is working, check video cable" message.

I can't imagine that I installed the product wrong, but I can't rule it out. Here's what I've tried -

-Taken it all apart, reapplied thermal paste, put it back together
-Reseating the video card at least 3 times
-That's it...Haven't had much time.

This forum seems to be pretty knowledgeable; I'd appreciate any input that you guys have. Do you think I've done her in for good?
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Comments

  • EMTEMT Seattle, WA Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    Hmmm, it's a little tough to say. I'd expect a motherboard to beep out an error if it can't display video, and the computer certainly shouldn't get into Windows if there's a malfunction. Can you tell if it's booting successfully from hard disk activity, speakers, or anything?
  • Rico-SajakRico-Sajak
    edited January 2005
    Thanks for the reply, but I fixed the problem late last night.

    Never underestimate the power of a CMOS reset. I didn't think that it had a shot, but I did it last night out of desperation. It booted without a snag. I really thought that I had done her in for good this time.

    Once again thanks, and sorry for posting so hastily... I was scared.
  • csimoncsimon Acadiana Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    Rico Sajak wrote:
    Once again thanks, and sorry for posting so hastily... I was scared.
    Don't worry that's what we're here for. Glad things worked out for you! :thumbsup:
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited January 2005
    Glad to hear you got it. :)

    How is the card running temp-wise after the cooler was added?
  • Rico-SajakRico-Sajak
    edited January 2005
    So I check on my computer last night, right?

    Tried to move the mouse, but I was froze...big time. I should have checked the time to see how long it took before it started to hang, but I figured I'd be able to just restart. Not the case. It started up just like it did when I posted initially (everything booted - HDs, CD-ROMS, but no monitor).

    No problem, though. I just thought I'd clear the CMOS again. Unfortunately it didn't work this time. I'm going to work on it when I get home. It was real late when I tried to get on last night and all I could really do diagnostically was cuss out my card for awhile. Needless to say, it didn't work. I don't know what I can do right now, but I'm sure I'll think of something. If you guys have any suggestions, here are my specs:

    Athlon XP 2600+
    Asus A7N8X rev. 1.08 (i think)
    1024 PC 3200 DDR RAM
    20 GB Maxtor 7200 RPM
    160 GB WD 7200 RPM
    Radeon 9700 Pro w/ Arctic Cooling ATI 1 Silent Cooler
    SB Audigy 1

    Thanks.
  • kanezfankanezfan sunny south florida Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    Your initial problem might not have been het related after all. What I mean is the card might have been dying to begin with. I'c say drop another card in and see how long it runs without giving you errors. I'm always quick to jump on the "it's broken" bandwagon, but I always try to rule out the simplest answer first. I hope it's not dead, that would suck, I know how it was though, when my ti4600 died, I held a memorial and it's burried outside in my yard. Not really, but I wanted to sound like an ***hole.
  • Rico-SajakRico-Sajak
    edited January 2005
    Wow that was quick. Yeah it would suck if the card was dead, but it was working fine before I put the fan on (with my case open and some extra cooling) and actually ran through some UT2004 benchmarks flawlessly after I reset the CMOS the first time. If it didn't work the other day <i>after</i> I installed the VGA cooler, I'd be a lot quicker to make the funeral arrangements.

    I don't know, maybe I'm a hapless optimist.

    Then again, I could use an update.
  • Rico-SajakRico-Sajak
    edited January 2005
    Oh yeah one more thing. I tried my Radeon 7500 before I installed the cooler and everything worked out fine. That is aside from the 800x600 resolution I had to use in UT2004...
  • kanezfankanezfan sunny south florida Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    Take off the cooler and see if there's any signs of damage to the chip itself. Look at the back off the card, is there any signs of damage there? I know UT2k4 will suck on the 7500, but try installing that a few times, turn the computer off, take it out, put it back it, turn the computer on, see if it boots fine, do that a few times, like 3 or 4 times. If it works every time, then run your computer on the 7500 for a few days, a week maybe. If it runs fine, at least you know it's nothing in your computer.

    What kind of thermal paste are you using? Maybe it's not up to the task of cooling the card. What are the ambient temps in your room normally, not with the windows open, and in your case when the case is closed. I've got a 9500 pro, I'm in south Florida, I have the case closed, my temps suck and the card runs, no problems. A while back, there was a controversy here about Radeon cards overheating and dying due to drivers. I don't know that this was ever substantiated, but an ATI big wig actually posted here to help figure out what was going on.
  • Rico-SajakRico-Sajak
    edited January 2005
    I'm fairly certain it's not my computer, but I'll try the 7500 for awhile and also try the 9700 in another computer. As for the card, I didn't see any obvious damage on the card that could be attributed to overheating, but then again I'm no expert on the subject.

    I'm not a big temp guy. I know that I should have sufficient cooling. I have an Antec case with a 120mm fan in the back of the case blowing out and a 120mm fan in the front sucking in. I can check the motherboard temps when I get home.

    I'm going to try to get the 9700 to work one last time. I may even just move on if it doesn't work.
  • kanezfankanezfan sunny south florida Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    Atually trying it in another computer is a great idea, do that. And with two 1200mm fans, you should be set really.
  • Rico-SajakRico-Sajak
    edited January 2005
    Now here's a mindjob...

    I got my computer to POST and boot up (at least to BIOS, not worried about windows at the moment) with the 9700 Pro. The only problem is it won't work when I have the cooler installed on it. WTF!!!

    Here are configurations I've tried:

    Radeon 7000 - Boots ok
    Radeon 9700 Pro w/ Arctic Cooler - Doesn't Boot
    Radeon 9700 Pro naked - Boots ok
    Radeon 9700 Pro w/ Arctic Cooler (FAN NOT PLUGGED IN) - Doesn't Boot

    I don't understand it at all. Anyone?
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited January 2005
    Could the cooler be shorting something out?
  • Rico-SajakRico-Sajak
    edited January 2005
    Hmm what do you mean?

    I don't think it's shorting out on the card because I installed it without plugging it in the power on the card and it didn't work. I'll check again though.

    Or, do you mean shorting out power supply, etc. I've considered that it might be over-demanding my power supply. I have an Antec Truepower 480w, though. I don't think another fan could short that out.
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited January 2005
    I mean something physically on the cooler shorting out two or more components on the card. :)
  • Rico-SajakRico-Sajak
    edited January 2005
    How can I check if it's shorting something on the card and if it is, how can I fix it?
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited January 2005
    It looks like the housing is plastic, so that isn't the problem.

    The parts I'd worry about are the metal screws holding it together (I marked a few of them) and the two bolts which go through the card (on the heatsink). With the bolts, pay special attention to the opposite side of the card where the nuts are attached.

    Just another idea, but could the way the cooler is mounted be preventing the card from going all the way into the AGP slot? Maybe the cooler is hitting something on the MB and preventing good seating in the slot. That would cause what you describe in a heartbeat.
  • csimoncsimon Acadiana Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    as for kanez question he asked earlier ...what thermal paste are you using?
    sorry if you already responded.
  • Rico-SajakRico-Sajak
    edited January 2005
    I'm using the thermal paste that came with the VGA Cooler. Don't know the details. I tried something out that's got me even more confused. Since the card was working fine without any cooler, I actually took the disconnected heatsink and fan and basically just set it against the chip. I wanted to see if it was the pressure on the chip that was causing the conflict.

    The card, which worked seconds before <i>without</i> the VGA cooler, did the same thing it has been doing with the cooler connected. I'm going to check for shorts here soon, prof. I'll get back in a bit.

    Oh yeah, thanks for doing that detailed pic. I definitely appreciate it.
  • Rico-SajakRico-Sajak
    edited January 2005
    I want to thank everyone for their comments, but I think my video card is done for. It stopped working entirely without the VGA cooler and refuses to allow my computer to boot up with any configuration. I'm running on a Radeon 7500 right now so things aren't all that bad, but this has really put a damper on my plans to get a 17" LG LCD monitor. It's time to put all those Best Buy Christmas Gift Certificates to good use. Thanks all.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    Rico Sajak wrote:
    IIt's time to put all those Best Buy Christmas Gift Certificates to good use.
    And there are many, many experienced gamers and graphics gurus here who will be more than happy to advise you in purchasing the exact card for your needs. All you need to do ask!
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    6800gt!
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited January 2005
    Thrax wrote:
    6800gt!
    He said he had Best Buys gift certificates, not a controlling interest in the company. :vimp:
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    Fine Thrax, just fine... if our fine Mr. Sajak is an enthusiast gamer playing the latest releases, needs the top-of-the-line card, and has the money for it. :scratch:
  • kanezfankanezfan sunny south florida Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    I read your post and I said to myself "Pat Sajak? Well I guess he's gotta have the money for a 6800GT right?" lol
  • Rico-SajakRico-Sajak
    edited January 2005
    Haha, no. Unfortunately I'm in no relation to Pat Sajak; it's merely a tag my buddies and I use in online games.

    I was actually really upset when my family bought me those Best Buy gift certificates. I don't buy anything there. They think that because I build computers and like electronics that I'm an avid Best Buy shopper. It's way too expensive for me, though. I'm hoping I can sell the cards and then buy something from newegg.

    Any takers?

    Oh yeah, quick question. Is it normal for a two year old video card to just die like this?
  • kanezfankanezfan sunny south florida Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    It happens, my ti4600 died in like a year or less. These things wear out, sometimes they can last ten years, sometimes, they don't make it out of the factory alive.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited January 2005
    Is it normal for a two year old video card to just die like this?
    Are you kidding? Hmm, well, probably not all that common for those who buy their computer off the shelf or off the web page and subsequently never open the case. But for those wild-eyed modders, overclockers, and would-be electronics wunderkinds (including me) here at Short-Media, premature failure of all types of electronic components is not uncommon! :eek::thumbsup:;D
  • Rico-SajakRico-Sajak
    edited February 2005
    Just an update for anyone that's interested.

    After a few rough weeks with a Radeon 7500, ATI has just e-mailed me back saying that I'll receive my replacement Radeon 9700 in the mail TODAY! The funny thing is, I probably don't have any business receiving a replacement with the condition of the card. Then again, I did send a pretty sappy sob letter...

    Just goes to show ya - it doesn't hurt to try.
  • GrayFoxGrayFox /dev/urandom Member
    edited February 2005
    Ati is very good with there rma's there like asus. If it doesnt work you get a new one :D. My buddy took part of his 9600xt core out with a screw driver and the card would just artifact(even in the bios!). Ati replaced it no problems at all.
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