Loud beeping noise

[salty mud]

I have just inserted a new graphics card into my machine. The process of putting the card in went fine. ( I didn't actually connect any power cables to the card even though the instruction manual what came with it said I should... is this the cause? I would have done it but I couldn't see where they go and my previous one never had any going into it.) The card fitted in at a squeeze but it is in the right way and everything is screwed up good and tight.

If anyone has a solution please help me.

 

[Cutlass]

Follow the directions They are there for a reason. If it says it needs the power cord, then it needs the power cord. Some higher end graphics cards simply need more power than they can get through the motherboard. The directions should have a diagram to show you where the cord goes.

 

[salty mud]

The diagram is more than lacking in certain areas... my old one didn't have these power cords so I presumed my new one wouldn't. Looks like I was wrong. Is this the cause of the loud beeping?

 

[Cutlass]

If you mean that when you power on the computer you get IIRC 3 loud beeps in a row and no picture, then that is evidence of a failure of the video. If the directions say plug it in, then you have to work out what it wants plugged in where and do so.

The old card probably had lower power requirements. Many low to medium power graphics cards do not need an additional power cable. But many medium to high power ones do.

If you can't figure out where the power cable goes, post the make and model of the motherboard and the graphics card and we'll see if someone can figure it out for you.

 

[GoodGame]

You hear the loud beeping noise when you turn on the computer correct? That's known as POST.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power-on_self-test The 'Morse code' of the beeps is an error message.

1 long beep, 2 short beeps should be saying something is wrong with the video card, I believe.
You can assume it's the video card if that's all you did to your computer before turning it on.

Like Cutlass said some cards don't need extra power, but higher end cards need to be plugged into the mobo by a second power cable. Not enough volts = card doesn't run.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

I didn't actually connect any power cables to the card even though the instruction manual what came with it said I should... is this the cause?

The video card will have either a single 6 or 8-pin PCIe power connector, or an older AGP power connector.
The PCIe power connectors look like this:
http://techreport.com/r.x/geforce-8800gt/msi-card-pcie-plug.jpg
The AGP power connector will look like the white plug on the right of this:
http://www.buildeasypc.com/pics/fdd_back.jpg
(They're the same as the FDD power connectors).

If your graphics card has either of those, you need to connect power to it. A manufacturer wouldnt put it on there unless it's needed.

Also, make sure you ground yourself when working inside your pc, it would really suck to fry your new GPU with static electricity.

 

[salty mud]

Thanks for the help guys, I've sorted the problem. The new card works great!

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

What kinda card is it?

Just curious.

 

[salty mud]

It's a Geforce 8800GT with 512 MB of video memory.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

A decent card indeed.

 

[salty mud]

A decent card indeed.

Indeed. Just curious, how long approximately will this card last before becoming out dated? I know it is difficult to give a time, but a rough approximation will be good.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Before becoming dated in which sense? IN the sense that it cant run the newest games at the highest settings? If so, its already there. But Im sure you'll be able to play new games on it for another year or two if you're satisfied with lower settings.

 

[Maniacal]

I disagree that it is outdated currently. It runs my everything I've tried just fine at max. Havn't tried GTAIV or other poor console ports though.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Well it depends on what resolutions you're talking about. My GTX 260+ can struggle with some things at 1680x1050, so an 8800GT would simply choke on that. It is still a very powerful card though, and will likely be fine for new games for at least another year.

 

[carmen510]

A terrorist infiltrated your graphics card. Your computer will explode shortly.

In all seriousness, perhaps you should check with a computer technician. I'm not the greatest computer wiz in the world, so I wouldn't really know.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

A terrorist infiltrated your graphics card. Your computer will explode shortly.

In all seriousness, perhaps you should check with a computer technician. I'm not the greatest computer wiz in the world, so I wouldn't really know.

Thanks for the help guys, I've sorted the problem. The new card works great!

Nuff said.

 

[carmen510]

Nuff said.

That's what they want you to think.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Now way like a new way!
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Hardly anyone minds.

Dont click this guys link. I had firefox close on me because of DEP twice on it.