video card won't stay seated???

[m k]

After computer is turned on and running for several minutes I lose video. Monitor goes black or a few times blocks of screen get very distorted. I've got the box on its side on my desk checking all connections, and it seems that every time I reseat the video card, turn system on, play a quick game of pinball or freecell to see if all is well, then try to install a new program or delete files from the recycle bin, and the screen now goes black. If I turn off and then restart right away, I get 8 beeps. So I reseat video card and try all over again. I have 5 pci slots, I've tried 2 so far, but this is a computer I've assembled from parts, and I've only done this once before. Do I have a problem with my video card or with my pci slots?

Any ideas?

My system is K7S5A ECS mobo
Duron 950 Processor
ATI Radeon 32mg PCI card
ALS 4000 Avance PCI 32 bit sound card
256MB Ram
CTX monitor

[mjc]

If you reseat the card in the same slot does it work?

Is the motherboard capable of using an AGP card?

Also did you lookup the error code and know for sure that the 8 beeps is video related? What BIOS is on this board?

Are you using the hold down screw on the card? If so how tight are you making it?

What are the internal temperatures of the case?


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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[bassman]

Hmmm, have you tried the card in all the different slots? Does this card have a fan on it? Is there a lot of vibration on the mobo? Do you have another vid card to try? Is the vid card hot?

HeHe, I have more questions then you did. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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Quotes from "Lifes Little Instruction Book" by H.Jackson Brown: 65) Let people pull in front of you when you're stopped in traffic. Frank's Place (http://www.members.aol.com/frankscompsrvice)

[m k]

OK, I've been watching the temps, the CPU temp is 85 F today and system temp is 75 F. I did notice temps last night of CPU 102 F and sys 90's F. I don't have a system fan installed. I suppose I need one, but dont want to do anything else until I resolve current probs. Now is probably also the time to ask what is the normal range for these temps and when do I need to be concerned about temps.


If I reseat the card in the same slot, I just start the cycle all over. Haven't looked up beeps, but playing with the video card gets the system to start. Card has not felt hot.

I have been using the screw to hold down the card, firmly attaching, but trying to screw it in tighter doesn't seem to impact problem.

Bios version ? Ambios simple setup utility version 1.21.06

Mobo has an AGP slot, but as am trying to build this system for minimum bucks, bought the cheapest video card available at store down the street.Don;t have another video card to try,

[rond36]

Is there any strain on the monitor's VGA cable or is it stretched tight enough to pull on the video card. I have the same problem but not as often as you mine goes out about once a month I also have an ECS motherboard K7VZA but my video is in the AGP slot.

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I think Windows XP and Microsoft use more of my bandwidth than I do!

[mjc]

Try putting it in and just making the screw contact the card...not really tight, sometimes the slot is a little off, either mounted on the motherboard a little off or when attaching the motherboard to the case the alignment is not quite right, and when making the screw really tight casues the card to slightly pull out of the slot....I had a modem that would do that, finally I just left the screw out...no more problem.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.