dumb questions?

[vicki lynne]

I got a couple of questions that might sound dumb but I prefer to think of them as some obvious ones that I forgot to ask. If windows does not detect a video or audio card by itself, does that mean the card isn't any good? If you have a video card installed and your bios beeps say "display/ retrace test failed" is that one dead ? I tried reseating it several times. well, that's all for now I guess. Please be patient, I'm just learning. Thanks. :)

[saphalline]

That's not really a dumb question. A dumb question would be something like "is broadband faster than dial-up?" :p

If you've already tried reseating it, then the vid card is probably dead. I would say 9 out of 10 times this is caused by a dead vid card. Other problems would be dust/dirt/oxidation (which you've pretty much tried other than a thorough cleaning with Isopropyl alcohol) and a failed slot. The slots on the mobo do ocassionally go bad.

The ultimate form of testing the hardware at this point would be to 1) try your vid card in another system, and 2) try another known-working vid card in your system. That should sort out what's dead and what's not.

[ranjit jacob]

Also have u disabled the onboard vid/ audio ?? .

[vicki lynne]

my mobo didn't have onboard vid or audio when I got it . So I honestly didn't do it myself but since it was working before I can only hope that someone did.

[saphalline]

Not all mobo's have onboard video. So if it doesn't have it, you don't need to disable it! :D

Well, I guess it's time to try another vid card. See if that fixes it.

[vicki lynne]

That makes sense. Another vid card it is. Thanks. :)