Having Problems

[Trout Man]

Hello everyone! I am having problems with a new video card. It is an Ati PowerColor 9600 Pro. Ok I don't really know much about this computer, it is my stepfathers, but it is a Compaq Presario 5000 with a CV735 monitor, running Windows XP Pro. I'm not computer inclined so I get lost in the techno talk. The computer has a brown video slot, sorry I don't know the name just color, and the plugs on the two cards match, meaning they are shaped the same and are missing the slot in the same area. I can install the video card and the computer will boot just fine right after installing the card, run games(Rome Total War, Silent Hunter 3, and Take Command 2nd Manassas), internet, videos, etc... When I shut down or restart the computer I just get a black screen. The light by the power button the monitor will flicker green for an instant and then go back orange and nothing will happen. I hear the fans kick on when I push the power button, but nothing happens, only a black screen. While the card/PC were still working, before shutting down or restarting, I up dated the drivers, etc... and the problem still happens. I am currently running the old card. As I said, I'm not too computer inclined, I normally just install ram, cd drives, and other simple stuff for people. I thought changing the video card would be simple, but this is a new wrinkle on me. Dose the PC not have enough power to run the card? I would think if this were the case it would not work at all instead of working right after install and not on restart, but I have been wrong before. I'm not really sure what is going on. I've been trying to get to the BIOS setting on startup with the old card but it will not let me access them. I have tried both F1 and F10 on startup at the first screen and it will not let me in. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Aaron

[Trout Man]

Hello everyone. I think I might have found the problem. I think it is the power supply. The card says it requieres a minimum of 300 Watts, and my on board is 250. Could this be the problem? If it is I cannot figure out why I can install the new card and it will run right after instaltion until I shut the PC down or restart it? Do you think this is the problem or could it be something else? Thanks for your time and replies.
Aaron

[flanzig1]

PC's that are maxing out the limits of the PSU generally can start when cold; PSUs lose efficientcy when they are hot(provide less power). Time to look for a bigger PSU that will work in a Compaq.

[Trout Man]

Hello everyone. I got a new PSU, an Antec 350W, and I am still having the same problem as before. The card call for a 300W unit, minimum, so I grabbed a 350W just to be safe. So here is my question, what is not hooked up correctly? On the vid card right beside the power line for the fan, I'm guessing that's what it is, there is a little black 3 pin slot. Is this where a power cable plugs into the video card? I did not get a power cable with the card, so if this is the case, what kind of 3 pin power cable do I need and where do I need to hook the cable if this is the problem? Do I hook it to one of my cables from the Antec or do I hook it somewhere else? I've never had this kind of problem before, but this is my first video card so I guess things like this are to be expected and the installation page that came with the card is of very little help... Thanks for helping steer me in the right direction!
Aaron

[flanzig1]

Compaq computers may use a propritory wiring in the main ATX plug. Compare the wire colors on the 20 pin plug to see if they are in the same pin location on each plug. If the colors don't match pin for pin then you need a PSU that is wired for Compaqs.
9600 video cards don't need extra power connections. The 3 pin header may be for jumpers or something else but that card doesn't use.