Help with video card..

BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
edited April 2005 in Hardware
I put this here instead of the sounds and graphic card thread because people dont seem to respond In there as much.

Well I plugged in my radeon 9800 pro 256 into my dell 4600.

And I plugged my monitor cord into the card and... nothing. Completely black screen.

What the hell is going on?

I did not turn off anything in my BIOS mainly because I didnt know what to turn off. I did uninstall my intel Extreme graphics 2 and it set my resolution to
600 X 800


But what is going on? Can anyone help me?
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Comments

  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited April 2005
    Tell me the exact brand & model# of your motherboard and I'll see if I can find a manual. Maybe I can tell you exactly what to do to disable the onboard video.
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    Ok give me a moment...

    Do you think its power supply? I only have 250 watts going I think.
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    When you ask for my model number do you want my service tag?

    I do have my system manual with me.
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited April 2005
    Bubbleman wrote:
    When you ask for my model number do you want my service tag?
    That might do it.
    I do have my system manual with me.
    If you can find a section for disabling onboard video follow the instructions for doing that.

    Your power supply may well be the problem, so don't expect miracles.

    What brand is this system? If it's a Dell, don't go ordering a new PSU just yet. Many of them use a proprietary PSU (i.e. "normal" ones don't work with it.)
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    I found this on ebay...

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6758327264&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BID

    Should I buy it for my computer?
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    btw... psu stands for power supply unit right?

    Im using a dell dimension 4600
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    D1522 PROCESSOR, 80532, 2.66G, 512, 533, SOCKET N, DECISION ONE
    1 7N242 KEYBOARD, 104, UNITED STATES, SILITEK, LOW COST, MIDNIGHT GRAY
    1 W1668 KIT, MOUSE, PERSONAL SYSTEM 2, 2BTN, WHEEL, LOGITECH
    2 R3791 DUAL IN-LINE MEMORY MODULE, 128, 333M, 16X64, 8K, 184
    1 4U829 MODEM, V92, INTERNAL, DATA FAX, SOFT, DON JULIO, AMF
    1 C3748 COMPACT DISK DRIVE, 48X, IDE (INTEGRATED DRIVE ELECTRONICS), HITACHI LG DATA STORAGE, HALF HEIGHT, INTERNAL, MIDNIGHT GRAY
    1 R1888 KIT, SPEAKER, 120V, A425, ALTEC LANSING, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION
    1 P0151 DISPLAY, CATHODE-RAY TUBE, 17, DUAL, E773C, MIDNIGHT GRAY, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION
    1 1T321 HARD DRIVE, 40G, I, 3.5" FORM FACTOR, 1N, 7.2K, WD-XL40S
    1 J1894 KIT, SOFTWARE, WP-PRDCT-STE11, ENGLAND/ENGLISH
    1 N2999 KIT, SOFTWARE, MNY-2K4, STANDARD, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MFGR., ENGLAND/ENGLISH
    1 P2643 KIT, SOFTWARE, MSENC-2K4, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MFGR., ENGLAND/ENGLISH
    1 R2553 KIT, SOFTWARE, OVERPACK, WXPHSP1A, COMPACT DISKETTE W/DOCUMENTATION, ENGLAND/ENGLISH
    1 P1144 COMPACT DISK READ WRITE, 680M, IDE (INTEGRATED DRIVE ELECTRONICS), 5.25" FORM FACTOR, 48X32, HITACHI LG DATA STORAGE, MIDNIGHT GRAY


    thats my computer parts from dell site...
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited April 2005
    Bubbleman wrote:
    I found this on ebay...

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6758327264&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BID

    Should I buy it for my computer?
    I wouldn't. It's currently at $9, which looks sweet, but they want $16 shipping, which is a rip-off, and another $3 for the (mandatory) insurance. That's $28 right there, and the price is likely to rise before the auction ends. For not a whole lot more than that you could get a name brand unit with something much better than the crummy 30-Day warranty they're offering on that one.

    I'm really not the best person around here to give advice on the subject, other than that I've always had good luck with Antec. Someone else will probably come along with more specific advice.
    Bubbleman wrote:
    btw... psu stands for power supply unit right?

    Im using a dell dimension 4600
    You are correct about "PSU".

    I checked the pin-out in the manual for your Dell, and you are in luck. It uses a standard 20-Pin PSU, meaning you won't have to pay an arm-and-a-leg buying a special one from Dell.
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    ok.

    So i can just buy any power supply and slap it in there.


    Thing is ... I know putting it in is gonna be a bitch.

    Mainly because theres this huge green thing in the way....

    Any manuals for taking apart a dell?
  • FlintstoneFlintstone SE Florida
    edited April 2005
    The power supply you linked to at eBay is a piece of .......stuff!! Don't buy it. Cheaping out on a power supply is one of the easiest ways to create a problem that takes hours and hours to track down. Your Dell PS is probably not strong enough to push that video card. I would definately go to somewhere like CompUsa, Best Buy or Fry's and get at least a 420 or better watt name brand power supply.

    But, another question comes to mind...Did you plug in the Molex power connector on the video card to an extra connector from the Dell power supply? It could be as easy as that even though I still think the oem supply from Dell is too small.

    Good Luck,

    Flint :cool:
  • KwitkoKwitko Sheriff of Banning (Retired) By the thing near the stuff Icrontian
    edited April 2005
    Bubbleman wrote:
    Any manuals for taking apart a dell?

    Have you tried, umm, perhaps... Dell's website?
  • muddocktormuddocktor
    edited April 2005
    Bubbleman, if you look at Dell's website, you should find some technical stuff on your dimension 4600 which should have some directions on how to take stuff down for replacing parts. That's one good thing Dell does do; have good tech docs for their system. BTW, that huge green thing in the way is most likely a duct for cooling the proc, so be sure not to break anything when taking it out to change out the psu.

    As for a brand psu to replace that Dell POS, I would recommend an Antec, PC Power and Cooling, OCZ or Fortron Source with at least 420-450 watts power and the more power the better. Stay away from brands like Deer, Powmax and such as they are very cheaply built and if they blow, have a good chance of smoking the rest of your system.
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    Do I have to buy the damn cooling system....
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited April 2005
    Bubbleman wrote:
    Do I have to buy the damn cooling system....
    If you mean an add-on heatsink + fan for the video card, the answer is "no". They are nice for overclocking but are not necessary to get the card to at least put a picture on the screen. Let's get that taken care of first, then we'll move on to supplemental cooling. :)
  • leishi85leishi85 Grand Rapids, MI Icrontian
    edited April 2005
    why would you have to buy the damn cooling system?
  • muddocktormuddocktor
    edited April 2005
    Dell has 2 dimension 4600 models listed in their tech docs, the 4600 and the 4600C; this is a link to the pertinant section for the dimension 4600 with integrated video and an AGP slot for an added on vid card, like you are doing. It will give a rundown on what you have to do to replace that POS 250 watt psu that Dell equipped your machine with.
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    OK. Thanks I post back if I have questions.
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    If I still get a black monitor after putting in a new power supply... that would suck lol...
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited April 2005
    Bubbleman wrote:
    If I still get a black monitor after putting in a new power supply... that would suck lol...
    If you have a friend who could loan you a good one to test it out with, I'd try that. You'll feel a lot better about spending the money if you're sure that it's going to solve your problem.

    I agree with everyone who's recommended a new PSU. Even if there is another problem, upgrading what you have now is a good idea.
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    Sorry for the posts...


    When installed my card the notch was to the left of my lever is it suppose to be inside of it?
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    Another question.

    If I upgrade my PSU will it make my system hotter?
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    Can anyone hook me up with a 400 watt psu for my computer for cheap?

    Im looking around newegg right now.
  • NiGHTSNiGHTS San Diego Icrontian
    edited April 2005
    One thing I can say about power supplies, you get what you pay for. Don't skimp out on that part of the system. A 10$ 400W powersupply will NOT run at 400W.
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    So I should get 50 dollar power supply?
  • GrayFoxGrayFox /dev/urandom Member
    edited April 2005
    Heres what Im goina recomend
    http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-912&depa=0
    or if you wana spend a bit less
    http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-913&depa=0
  • JChretienJChretien Vancouver, BC, Canada
    edited April 2005
    Flintstone wrote:

    But, another question comes to mind...Did you plug in the Molex power connector on the video card to an extra connector from the Dell power supply? It could be as easy as that even though I still think the oem supply from Dell is too small.

    Good Luck,

    Flint :cool:

    do we have confirmation that hes done this?
  • muddocktormuddocktor
    edited April 2005
    Bubbleman, this Thermaltake Thermatake Silent PurePower, 420W psu here at Newegg is a pretty good deal, especially for the price. I've bought 2 of these; one is running an A64 rig I have and the other is in a box I upgraded for a neighbor. They are good psu's for the price and have plenty of connectors. If you are on a budget, this is definitely one to look at.
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    Wow. Ok thanks ummm.

    I pluged one cord into the hardrive and one onto a cord leading to the power supply.

    Thats it.

    Im a bit worried about frying my computer tho. Im sure I can do it tho.
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited April 2005
    One question to mudducktor.

    Does it always operate at 420 watts?

    Or does it run at like 400.

    As long as its enough to feed my radeon 9800 ill be good. And stays cool.

    Ill order one today after I get some responds.
  • GrayFoxGrayFox /dev/urandom Member
    edited April 2005
    Thermal take's psu's are decent. A bit loud but decent.


    Your dell will be much louder when this is installed.
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