Might have broken my Radeon 9700pro graphics card!

[Dot Net Developer]

When I use my computer, the screen is all messed up with either mauve
or green messy splodgy graphics. I can still use my PC, but the
display is messed up.

At first I thought it was the HD15 monitor cable, because I noticed
that one pin was missing from the cable end that plugs in to the
graphics card. I bought a new HD15 cable, but the problem remains.

The Radeon 9700pro has a DVI-I output, and my new flatscreen monitor
has a DVI-D connection as well as the HD15 connection. Should I buy a
DVI cable, and keep my fingers crossed that it's just the HD15 output
that's broken on the card?

Thanks, regards, dnw.

 

[Michael W. Ryder]

When I use my computer, the screen is all messed up with either mauve
or green messy splodgy graphics. I can still use my PC, but the
display is messed up.

At first I thought it was the HD15 monitor cable, because I noticed
that one pin was missing from the cable end that plugs in to the
graphics card. I bought a new HD15 cable, but the problem remains.

The Radeon 9700pro has a DVI-I output, and my new flatscreen monitor
has a DVI-D connection as well as the HD15 connection. Should I buy a
DVI cable, and keep my fingers crossed that it's just the HD15 output
that's broken on the card?

Thanks, regards, dnw.

Have you checked the temperature of your video card? It gets very hot,
especially doing anything graphics intensive. If the fan has failed
after all these years this could be causing your problem.

 

[Dot Net Developer]

Have you checked the temperature of your video card?

How can I do that please? (Would this be a BIOS thing?)

It gets very hot, especially doing anything graphics intensive.

This problem always occurs - for instance when I power on the machine
first thing in the morning, when the entire PC is, well, cold.

Unfortunately, there's a sound card in the way so I can't see if the
GPU fan is turning. I suppose I could pull out the sound card so that
I could take a better look..

 

[Michael W. Ryder]

How can I do that please? (Would this be a BIOS thing?)

I always just felt the temperature of the top of the card directly. If
it is too hot to touch it is too hot.

This problem always occurs - for instance when I power on the machine
first thing in the morning, when the entire PC is, well, cold.

Unfortunately, there's a sound card in the way so I can't see if the
GPU fan is turning. I suppose I could pull out the sound card so that
I could take a better look..

You could also have a problem if there is not enough air flow,
especially if the fan is failing. I had to put an exhaust fan below my
9700 Pro when it was new to keep it cool enough.

 

[Tom Scales]

When I use my computer, the screen is all messed up with either mauve
or green messy splodgy graphics. I can still use my PC, but the
display is messed up.

At first I thought it was the HD15 monitor cable, because I noticed
that one pin was missing from the cable end that plugs in to the
graphics card. I bought a new HD15 cable, but the problem remains.

The Radeon 9700pro has a DVI-I output, and my new flatscreen monitor
has a DVI-D connection as well as the HD15 connection. Should I buy a
DVI cable, and keep my fingers crossed that it's just the HD15 output
that's broken on the card?

Thanks, regards, dnw.

I suspect it is overheating. By the way, a missing pin is normal

 

[Dot Net Developer]

I've had the card for over 3 years without any problems. However very
recently, I unplugged and plugged back in the HD15 cable, and it's then
that I must have damaged the card in some way.

I'm looking at DVI cables on the web - quite pricey - would be a risk
to purchase if I have created a serious problem with the card.

 

[Michael W. Ryder]

I've had the card for over 3 years without any problems. However very
recently, I unplugged and plugged back in the HD15 cable, and it's then
that I must have damaged the card in some way.

Two other things to look at is to check the cable to make sure that none
of the pins got damaged and to unplug the video card and plug it back in.

 

[Dot Net Developer]

I suspect it is overheating.

That's interesting as you're the 2nd person to suggest this.

I've had a closer look now and can see the fan turning on the GPU, and
although I was reluctant to touch the card because I don't have an
anti-static wrist strap to hand, I couldn't sense a significant amount
of heat coming from the card with my hand hovering just over the card,
although the GPU chip & fan is on the underneath and I can't access it
properly without first removing another card that's in the way.

-dnw.

 

[Dot Net Developer]

Two other things to look at is to check the cable to make sure that none
of the pins got damaged and to unplug the video card and plug it back in.

Done both! I even bought a new HD15 cable (which tested OK on another
computer)

It must either be overheating, or I've damaged the HD15 connection port
on the card.

I noticed a pin missing on the old HD15 cable. I'm wondering whether a
loose pin got seperated from the cable and then got pushed in to the
HD15 port on the card and is causing some kind of "weird connection"

 

[Tom Scales]

Done both! I even bought a new HD15 cable (which tested OK on another
computer)

It must either be overheating, or I've damaged the HD15 connection port
on the card.

I noticed a pin missing on the old HD15 cable. I'm wondering whether a
loose pin got seperated from the cable and then got pushed in to the
HD15 port on the card and is causing some kind of "weird connection"

Probably not. I 'proper' VGA cable is missing a pin. I forget the reasons
why, but they're really 14 pin cables.

 

[First of One]

Since the back of the card is cool to the touch, it's probably not
overheating.

The pin that appeared to be missing, what is its function? Check it against
the pinout here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD15

Most likely either the HD15 port has failed, or a RAM chip has gone bad. I
suggest buying a DVI cable from a large retailer with a good return policy
and try out the DVI port first... A bad RAM chip cannot be replaced
economically.

 

[Barry Watzman]

You should buy a DVI cable because you will often get a better picture,
even if the VGA output was working fine. Don't pay too much. Try
www.monoprice.com

 

[Dot Net Developer]

The pin that appeared to be missing, what is its function?

Using your URL reference on wikipedia, it is pin number 9, and its
function appears to be "not connected".

Regards, dnw.