new video card?

[Khatru]

Hey all,

Last night my DAW was sending "no signal" to my monitor. This what I have:

BFG Tech BFGR76256GTOCE GeForce 7600GT 256MB
128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card


and this is the rest of my system:


Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
Asus P5W DH Deluxe
Nexus NX-5000 500W
2 X 1GB CORSAIR PC2 6400
WD 80 & 250 GB Hard Drives
XP2 SP3
Mbox original
LE 7.3.1


I checked another cord, another monitor, physically removed the card and replugged it. The fan in the card is spinning. There is no bios screen, only a no signal indicator.


The question is: Is it advisable to try and locate the exact same card as listed here, or is there an equally safe and better alternative. I'm running stable at this point and don't want to potentially goof that up , which is also why I'm happily still running 7.3.1.


Also, is there another possible overlooked issue that I may not know about?


Thanks and here's an old Sandra report if it will help:

SiSoftware Sandra
System
Host Name : DAVE-85BC2C8E5D
User : Dave
Workgroup : HOME
Processor
Model : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz
Speed : 2.40GHz
Performance Rating : PR8174 (estimated)
Cores per Processor : 2 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Type : Dual-Core
Internal Data Cache : 2x 32kB Synchronous, Write-Thru, 8-way set, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 1x 4MB ECC Synchronous, ATC, 16-way set, 64 byte line size, 2 threads sharing
Mainboard
Bus(es) : ISA PCI PCIe IMB USB FireWire/1394 i2c/SMBus
MP Support : 1 Processor(s)
MP APIC : Yes
System BIOS : American Megatrends Inc. 8.12
System : USTEK COMPUTER INC P5W DH Deluxe
Mainboard : ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5W DH Deluxe
Total Memory : 2GB DDR2-SDRAM
Chipset 1
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc 82975X Memory Controller Hub
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 267MHz (1068MHz data rate)
Total Memory : 2GB DDR2-SDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 4x 166MHz (664MHz data rate)
Video System
Monitor/Panel : SyncMaster 940BW/199BW/941BW, SyncMaster Magic CX915BW(Digital)
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
Physical Storage Devices
Removable Drive : Floppy disk drive
Hard Disk : WDC WD2500JS-60NCB1 (233GB)
Hard Disk : WDC WD800JD-00MSA1 (75GB)
Hard Disk : Prolific PL3507 Combo Device (1394 ATAPI_Rev 1.00) IEEE 1394 SBP2 Device
CD-ROM/DVD : LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1H (CD 48X Rd, 48X Wr) (DVD 6X Rd, 6X Wr)
Logical Storage Devices
Hard Disk (C:) : 75GB (66GB, 89% Free Space) (NTFS)
E drive (E:) : 78GB (78GB, 100% Free Space) (NTFS)
F Drive (F:) : 78GB (76GB, 97% Free Space) (NTFS)
G Drive (G:) : 77GB (73GB, 95% Free Space) (NTFS)
CD-ROM/DVD (D:) : N/A
3.5" 1.44MB (A:) : N/A
Peripherals
Serial/Parallel Port(s) : 1 COM / 0 LPT
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C8
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C9
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CA
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CB
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 27CC
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : Generic USB Hub
FireWire/1394 Controller/Hub : Texas Instruments OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
Keyboard : HID Keyboard Device
Mouse : HID-compliant mouse
Human Interface : USB Human Interface Device
Human Interface : USB Human Interface Device
Printers and Faxes
Model : Microsoft XPS Document Writer
Power Management
AC Line Status : On-Line
Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP/2002 Professional 5.01.2600 (Service Pack 3)
Network Services
Network Drivers Enabled : No
Performance Tips
Tip 2546 : Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity.
Notice 5901 : CD 1x= 150kB/s; Exercise caution when comparing measured versus published ratings.
Notice 5902 : DVD 1x= 11.08Mbps Exercise caution when comparing measured versus published ratings.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

[albee1952]

You should have no troubles with any GeForce 7xxx card. I am still running an MSI 7300LE 256 on my PT9 rig. What you described sounds like the video card to me as well. I recently had one go out and after giving it a good long look, I discovered 3 capacitors had popped their tops(so it happens) You can try installing just the drivers(if you are worried) and see how that works. In any case, I would download the latest from the nVidia site(not the card manufacturer's site).

[Khatru]

Hey Alb. Glad to hear from you.

I have recently updated from Nvidia, and with no monitor, I'm not sure how to do much of anything, but, since you also feel that it's the card then I will order a freshie asap.

Oops, I just remembered that when I wasn't getting a signal, and needed to shut down, holding down the power button did not shut down the system. My only option was to use the main power switch on the back of the the chasis. I'm not sure if that would be indicative of anything specifically related to the vid card, or if the whole freakin' mobo is fixing to crap out, or what.

Any thoughts there?

Thanks

[albee1952]

Tough call there. It certainly COULD be the entire system/motherboard, or maybe the power supply. If you have any spare parts, you might try swapping things out and see what happens. In any case, I would disconnect or remove the recording drive(just to be on the safe side). Or maybe buy a new card and, if it doesn't help, at least you are one part closer to a new system build(sorry, I guess its easy for me to spend your money).