GFX card problem

[R063R]

Done a bit of DIY in the mancave a fortnight ago, moved all my devices and unplugged them and tidied up the cables, plugged devices back in again etc. No problems now except my PC doesn't send a signal to my TV via HDMI. Have tried different HDMI cables. Have tried different HDMI ports on my TV. Have tried different slots on motherboard for gfx card. No joy. Got an old gfx card from an old PC (my wife hates that I hoard things, but there are obvious benefits) and the crappy card works just fine. Totally perfect in fact. Boots no problem and straightaway. I change NOTHING and try newer card and still no signal - dialogue box for TV in top corner just appears "HDMI2 - PC". Bought a new card and only got it today - still the same thing. The only thing that changes in the environment and cable setup/port selection is the actual cards themselves - old one works fine, newer and newest ones don't do a thing. Any light to be shed from any of you?

 

[Sureboss]

Do the new and newest cards use power connectors from your PSU and the old bad one doesn't?

 

[R063R]

Do the new and newest cards use power connectors from your PSU and the old bad one doesn't?

The old bad one doesn't, correct. The new one DOES, but the newest one acquired today does not.

 

[Sureboss]

What is the make/model of each and every card?

That's quite baffling, I'd probably suggest motherboard if it isn't power supply. Motherboard is normally a good starting point for "that makes no sense" issues.

 

[R063R]

What is the make/model of each and every card?

That's quite baffling, I'd probably suggest motherboard if it isn't power supply. Motherboard is normally a good starting point for "that makes no sense" issues.

Old, card 1 - an Asus something, I have no idea of model.
New, card 2 - MSI HD7750
Newest, card 3 - MSI R7 250

 

[Sureboss]

I'd try and test out card 2 and card 3 on another machine to confirm they are working.

In the short-term I would get driver sweeper (or something similar) on the machine, wipe out all gfx drivers and then re-test.

Given your description, I think it's more hardware than software, but it can't hurt to try and would be relatively quick.

I'd also try a different power-supply anyway, it still delivers power to the mobo so could affect it, but yeesh, I'm really only guessing here and trying to do process of elimination.

Strange.

 

[R063R]

I'd try and test out card 2 and card 3 on another machine to confirm they are working.

In the short-term I would get driver sweeper (or something similar) on the machine, wipe out all gfx drivers and then re-test.

Given your description, I think it's more hardware than software, but it can't hurt to try and would be relatively quick.

I'd also try a different power-supply anyway, it still delivers power to the mobo so could affect it, but yeesh, I'm really only guessing here and trying to do process of elimination.

Strange.

New motherboard tried just there now - exact same scenario as old motherboard, with exact same outcome for all three gfx cards. Machine I took crappy gfx card from is a very old slimline design and I can't fit the MSI cards into it. Am lost for another machine to test them out on - if someone was to donor their machine for my experiment if anything went wrong with their own machine down the line then I would be the first to be blamed.

 

[Sureboss]

What Windows version you using?

 

[R063R]

What Windows version you using?

Windows 7

 

[Sureboss]

Hmm, there were reports that were similar to your problem with UEFI booting (BIOS option), when disabled this fixed the problem, however I think that only applies to Windows 8. Might be worth digging around your BIOS for that option?

I know you've tried a new mobo.

Oof.

Have you tested a new power supply? Whilst your cards aren't all running off separate connectors, they must run off mobo power which is fed by the PSU. Stab in the dark that one.

You tested on another monitor?

 

[R063R]

UPDATE: Had a work colleague try out newest card on a machine of his. It works fine on his, but he was using VGA and DVI ports on card. He had no displays with an HDMI in, so I tried it on my old LED Sharp TV. And it works. I was ignorant before with the whole alternative monitor, and probably a bit proud as well. "The problem simply couldn't be the brand new Panasonic GT60". That's all I believed.

So the card works. I have already restored the Panasonic to shipping condition default settings and guess what...... Damn thing still doesn't display a picture. Nothing has changed in the setup between the Sharp LED downstairs and the Panasonic plasma upstairs. Have tried all 3 HDMI ports with all 3 different devices - PS3, PS4, and PC. Both PlayStations display an image fine on any HDMI in, but the PC displays nothing on any of the 3 HDMI inputs.

The new issue is the Panasonic now. Anything PC-related is ruled out as it works fine (actually, not 100% fine as I'm not getting any sound...). Do HDMI cables interfere with eachother when in close contact??? I have the 3 of them all bunched together in a cable tidy, but saying that, I'm using a spare one for this testing, that is nowhere near the other 3 cables.

 

[Sureboss]

I doubt interference would cause a no display issue.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/342639-33-hdmi-output-desktop-hdtv-doesn-work

Sounds very similar to your issue.

I think my next step would be, with new GPU in machine, plug it in to the LED TV that works, go in to BIOS and disable your on board graphics, gracefully power down. Connect to Panasonic and reboot.

I wondered if your Panasonic TV had an issue with HDMI switching.

You have cycled through all your outputs on the Panasonic TV when the PC is plugged in to it, haven't you? Not just the one it turns on to.

 

[R063R]

Plugged the machine back into LED TV on Sunday and now it can't display a picture either....

With all my testing between PS3 and PS4, I noticed on two different occasions that while I had PS4 going on HDMI3 and I removed cable to insert into HDMI2 and changed over to HDMI2 to check picture, when I went back to HDMI3 without removing cable from HDMI2 the picture that I had on HDMI2 (PS4 XMB) would now show on HDMI3 that had no cable inserted. Then if I went back to HDMI2 and moved through the menus a little bit then changed back to HDMI3 it would be showing the updated image that I left HDMI2 at. Is that HDMI switching??? Or some other gremlin?

Been on the phone most of this morning with a local PC repair guy. He is also completely baffled by the whole thing. The only thing he could suggest is that the card is pushing out too strong a signal and the televisions are crapping themselves and can't take the it, so just refuse to display anything. Makes sense, but doesn't explain that one instance I had on Saturday night where it did display a picture. Unless it was only able to show it for a matter of minutes and then can't no more.

He also suggested that the card isn't compatible with the plasma and for me to look for others that would be compatible. The previous MSI card was 1gb DDR3 and I bought this new MSI card with 2gb DDR3 because I wanted to start into sim racing like iRacing and RFactor as I have lost all faith in GT6 on PS3, and thought it would be better to get a more powerful card. But, the machine worked fine with the weaker card in it - maybe I was just being greedy looking one with twice as much power......

I read through that Toms Hardware post with my heart filled with hope - it was an old enough thread, early 2012, that someone could surely have found the solution in over two years..... Then I got to the last post and my heart sank.

 

[Saidur_Ali]

Is there an option in bios to prioritise PCIE graphics? Also if you can, try getting a Nvidia GTX 750TI and see if that works if you want a good gaming card that also takes very little power to run. Also what is your current motherboard and power supply?

 

[R063R]

Mobo: ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Professional

Power: OCZ ZS Series 750W '80 Plus Bronze'

 

[Saidur_Ali]

So looking at the motherboard specs, it is PCI Express 2.0 port although your graphics cards are meant to be backward compatible with older PCIE, I have heard and also experienced new AMD card not displaying stuff on older PCIE although on same computer with new Nvidia card it worked fine. If possible, could you try and see if you can try an Nvidia card at all? If not a 6000 series or lower AMD card? I assume you have current graphics card installed on second PCIE slot and in the bios settings in the North Bridge Configuration that the Primary Graphics Adapter is still PCI Express as default setting?

 

[R063R]

The crappy Asus card I am using is possibly an Nvidia.... That's the one that is giving me a low-res picture with a black border between edge of image and edge of television panel.

I am only using the one slot for all of my testing - are you suggesting I have two cards in two slots?

 

[Saidur_Ali]

The crappy Asus card I am using is possibly an Nvidia.... That's the one that is giving me a low-res picture with a black border between edge of image and edge of television panel.

I am only using the one slot for all of my testing - are you suggesting I have two cards in two slots?

Download GPU-Z and see what model it is. Do you have latest drivers installed for that, should if installed be able to use full screen resolution.

I just mean to use the second PCIE slot which is the first PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot available. You most likely already are using that slot though but just checking.

 

[R063R]

Download GPU-Z and see what model it is. Do you have latest drivers installed for that, should if installed be able to use full screen resolution.

I just mean to use the second PCIE slot which is the first PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot available. You most likely already are using that slot though but just checking.

Tight work, buddy

GPU-Z reveals Asus card is indeed Nvidia - it's the GeForce 8400GS. Updated the drivers and she is now running at a pleasant 1920 x 1080 again.

The slot I have been using is the closest one to the CPU - it's the first out of 3 possible slots that a gfx card could fit. I have used the second slot as well as a means of eliminating a fried first slot, but with no different result.

Would you advise now returning my new MSI card to seller and going for the Nvidia you recommended?

 

[Sureboss]

You've had two cards failing on two different televisions? I wouldn't go for another graphics card.

Random stuff is normally motherboard, you got a spare one?

 

[Saidur_Ali]

Tight work, buddy

GPU-Z reveals Asus card is indeed Nvidia - it's the GeForce 8400GS. Updated the drivers and she is now running at a pleasant 1920 x 1080 again.

The slot I have been using is the closest one to the CPU - it's the first out of 3 possible slots that a gfx card could fit. I have used the second slot as well as a means of eliminating a fried first slot, but with no different result.

Would you advise now returning my new MSI card to seller and going for the Nvidia you recommended?

I think best if you can return your new MSI card to seller and try and get a GTX 750 or 750 Ti, if you want something higher end then I think the GTX 970 is quite a bargain compared to other cards currently out.

 

[Sureboss]

Whilst it's all guess work on my part, I don't see what a replacement card is going to achieve when @R063R has had two different cards fail in the same way on two different displays?

 

[Saidur_Ali]

You've had two cards failing on two different televisions? I wouldn't go for another graphics card.

Random stuff is normally motherboard, you got a spare one?

Going by previous thread posts, a new motherboard has been tried on your recommendation? I think only way a new motherboard might make a big difference is to change to an Intel system that supports latest PCIE version. The problem I think is the same architecture card resulting in same problem on same setup. An old Nvidia card works, I reckon a HD 6000 series based AMD GPU might work too but it is best to try the latest Nvidia card and I think it will likely work.

Whilst it's all guess work on my part, I don't see what a replacement card is going to achieve when @R063R has had two different cards fail in the same way on two different displays?

The old Nvidia card works and GCN based AMD cards so far don't seem to work.


@R063R I forgot to ask what version your motherboard BIOS is? You should be able to see in BIOS settings. New update might fix issue potentially if you haven't already tried: Link

 

[R063R]

Guys - just to clarify.

Card #1 was the crappy Asus (Nvidia) which was pulled from my previous older machine, but is now somewhat better now that it has the up-to-date drivers.

Card #2 was the MSI HD7750 that I initially assumed was completely busted, and I think I'm right in my assumption as she hasn't put a kick out of her in over 3 weeks.

Card #3 is the MSI R7 250 which was the replacement for the busted #2.

Through all my testing, #1 has always without fail been able to put a picture out for me. Card #3 was the torment, while card #2 was never put back in except maybe once just to be sure that it was dead.

After the first attempt of #3 not putting a picture out, the next step was a new mobo. New mobo and new card (#3) together yielded no fruit, so went back to original mobo. Then a fortnight of torture commenced not knowing where to go or what to do.

I've had the one card, #3, fail on two televisions, one television (plasma) restored back to default shipping conditions and again made no difference which made me convinced that it was a graphics card problem, while initially before that it was assumed that it was the plasma causing the issue as I had that one instance on Saturday where I had a picture on the LED. Which is still bizarre - if we now know the card to be incompatible with my machine, then it should be fully incompatible and never work.

Every other avenue has been explored, and this Nvidia is an avenue that had not before come to our knowledge. I'd be a fool to not at least try it. The Asus, even with the new drivers, still has difficulty displaying a true image - text appears blurry for a split second once it appears on screen and then sharpens up.

The Nvidia GTX 750TI is a little bit pricey - a good double what I spent on the MSI R7 250. Is there anything else that you would recommend to be a good card but a little bit cheaper?

 

[Sureboss]

Ah, you've tried new motherboard, I missed that.

You been using different HDMI cables?

 

[Saidur_Ali]

Guys - just to clarify.

Card #1 was the crappy Asus (Nvidia) which was pulled from my previous older machine, but is now somewhat better now that it has the up-to-date drivers.

Card #2 was the MSI HD7750 that I initially assumed was completely busted, and I think I'm right in my assumption as she hasn't put a kick out of her in over 3 weeks.

Card #3 is the MSI R7 250 which was the replacement for the busted #2.

Through all my testing, #1 has always without fail been able to put a picture out for me. Card #3 was the torment, while card #2 was never put back in except maybe once just to be sure that it was dead.

After the first attempt of #3 not putting a picture out, the next step was a new mobo. New mobo and new card (#3) together yielded no fruit, so went back to original mobo. Then a fortnight of torture commenced not knowing where to go or what to do.

I've had the one card, #3, fail on two televisions, one television (plasma) restored back to default shipping conditions and again made no difference which made me convinced that it was a graphics card problem, while initially before that it was assumed that it was the plasma causing the issue as I had that one instance on Saturday where I had a picture on the LED. Which is still bizarre - if we now know the card to be incompatible with my machine, then it should be fully incompatible and never work.

Every other avenue has been explored, and this Nvidia is an avenue that had not before come to our knowledge. I'd be a fool to not at least try it. The Asus, even with the new drivers, still has difficulty displaying a true image - text appears blurry for a split second once it appears on screen and then sharpens up.

The Nvidia GTX 750TI is a little bit pricey - a good double what I spent on the MSI R7 250. Is there anything else that you would recommend to be a good card but a little bit cheaper?

This is a bit cheaper than the Ti model, you get free delivery if you sign up to AVForums: GTX 750 Link

Ah, you've tried new motherboard, I missed that.

You been using different HDMI cables?

Answer to that is in first post.

 

[R063R]

Yep, been using different cables from day one on all my testing. I really did have nothing else to try. Anything else would have been a stab in the dark. The PC guy I was speaking to this morning, I had asked him if he was going to come to my home that he would bring a few different graphics cards with him. It would have been dumb luck if he arrived with an Nvidia card and it worked straightaway. Without this new knowledge, we would've just assumed the R7 card was faulty.

I've only just noticed that my BIOS version on mobo is 1.60 ..... Let's hope I don't wreck the machine now downloading and installing 2.00

 

[R063R]

Actually, fellas - I'm just thinking.... That new mobo I tried MUST have had a very recent BIOS version on it, and it still didn't work with new MSI card. So I think I'll pass on the BIOS update (for now, anyway) and go the Nvidia route.

 

[R063R]

iPhone posted twice...

 

[Saidur_Ali]

Do think it is worth updating the BIOS though, looks like quite a bit has been done since 1.6 which might fix other potential issues.

Also this is a good look to see what kind of performance you want:

Review: Link

As you can see the GTX 750 OC model is quite a bit more powerful than the 7750.

Other options are to buy a used GTX 670 / 760 or higher as they go quite cheap sometimes on eBay.

Regarding the blurry text, I think that is your TV screen protecting itself, best to let it keep doing that than letting it potentially get ruined slightly.