Graphics problem

[PCKlutz]

When I first boot my kids' PC sometimes I get a blank black screen, sometimes a blank white screen. When it is a blank white screen, sometimes I get the bios error beeps and sometimes not. When I do get the beeps, they signal an error with video memory.

The graphics card is an AGP, 16mb, called a Phoenix card made by a Canadian company called Guillemot (or something). When I jiggle the card, most of the time I can finally get the PC to boot normally. Once booted up, if I leave the PC on (like for days) there is no problem -- the graphics work just fine. Once I turn the PC off, the same problems return upon bootup.

My questions are these. How do I know whether the card is defective or the AGP slot is defective, or elsewhere on the motherboard? I would hate to buy a new card and then find out it is NOT a card problem. I supposed I could return the card if that is the case, but is there an easier way to determine where the problem lies?

Thanks in advance for your input

[Cricket]

Hi PCKlutz,

Sounds like the video card isn't seated fully into the AGP slot. Try pushing down firmly on it and rock it back and forth a bit...it might slide into the AGP slot a bit more. It's best to do this with the motherboard out of the case on a hard flat surface so you don't damage the motherboard from excessive bending.

Cricket

[PCKlutz]

Cricket,

I have removed, re-seated, removed-cleaned-contacts, re-seated again, etc. Still get the same symptons.

[Cricket]

Hi PCKlutz,

Do you have another AGP video card that you can try out? If it works okay, then the AGP slot should be okay and the Phoenix video card may be at fault. You could also try the Phoenix video card on another motherboard to see if you get the same symptoms to verify the Phoenix is truly at fault.

Other than swapping parts around, I don't know if there's a way to test the video card in the same motherboard and determine which is faulty. Maybe someone else has an idea about this.

Cricket

[TwoRails]

The only other option I can think of is plain old visual inspection with a good light and magnifying glass. Give the card and the board a Very thorough going over and look for tiny cracks, fractures, discoloration, burnt parts, etc...

HTH

TwoRails

[glc]

If it is the card that's at fault, Guillemot's customer service is pretty decent. The Phoenix is a decent, but dated, card. Hercules is a division of Guillemot.