Gpu has no display. Does boot rarely and benches perfectly when it does

[JackyNoTouchy]

Hi! I'm new here
I have a weird problem. I bought an powercolor rx 460 4gb off ebay. The card booted first time I installed the drivers and restarted had no output or no display.
I uninstalled drivers and it still didn't boot. Eventually it worked again after a few hours of rebooting drivers installed and I restarted gpu worked flawlessly for a few hours I ran game benchmarks and FurMark with zero issues. I restarted and got another black screen it wasn't recognized in device manager either. I restarted the pc multiple times until it was recognized in device manager but had errors, I looked at it in gpu-z and the gpu and memory clocks were at 0MHZ . I figured that its previous owner flashed the card with a modified bios and bricked the card. I found the original bios eventually. I jumped pin 1 and 8 on the bios pin to get it recognized I used my igpu and eventually I flashed the original bios onto it using ati flash I swapped back to pci express graphics in the mobo and the card booted the gpu clock (1212MHz) and memory core(1750+MHz) were correct again and the card was working with zero issues. I thought it was fixed. I benched it again with no errors or instability it was perfect. I restarted and its gone again!

I have tested it in 2 pcs and it has the same issues on both. I am really confused to why its not being recognized in device manager every time. I have checked all the card hardware and its all ok no dead mosfets the voltages are correct ect. I originally thought the core was dead but its still working perfectly so it must be something else.
If anyone has any idea what could be causing this I would be grateful. Please don't just comment and say its dead because the core is definitely still working.
Also heres the gpu screenshot when it was working.

Pc Specs:
CPU: Core i5 4570
GPU: Powercolor RX 460 4gb https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/powercolor-red-dragon-rx-460-4-gb.b3771
Ram: 8gb
PSU: Corsair VS 450

 

[dorsetknob]

Contact Seller thru Ebay and arrange for a return/refund

 

[JackyNoTouchy]

Contact Seller thru Ebay and arrange for a return/refund

I would but he says I have to pay shipping and it would cost me half of what I paid for the card. I'd rather try repair it.

 

[AsRock]

If the item is not as advertised you should be covered, and even if it is as advertised and was listed as used it should be under warranty for 30 days and will most likely have to supply a return label at their cost. If they cannot supply a return label that will not be your problem and 99% sure you be totally covered.

Try work it out with the seller and if you send it back make a video of it being sent just in case although chances are they will side with the buyer anyways.

If listed as new that's different might be tricky small print with that,

Just phone ebay.

 

[MrGenius]

I'm guessing there's some kind of hardware problem with the card. My gut tells me it's got a faulty BIOS EEPROM chip. Or something to that effect. They're relatively cheap. And not too difficult to replace. If it was mine, replacing that chip is the first thing I'd do. But I'm sort of a glutton for punishment when it comes to these types of things...

 

[JackyNoTouchy]

I'm guessing there's some kind of hardware problem with the card. My gut tells me it's got a faulty BIOS EEPROM chip. Or something to that effect. They're relatively cheap. And not too difficult to replace. If it was mine, replacing that chip is the first thing I'd do. But I'm sort of a glutton for punishment when it comes to these types of things...

Thats exactly what I was thinking! I can't seem to find a replacement IC anywhere I was getting a "cannot read ROM" error on ati flash aswell when trying to flash ( Also I kind of already replaced the caps on the vrms so thats why I don't want to send it back lmao) I'm an electronic engineer btw

 

[Gorstak]

I'd check the cable.

 

[kurosagi01]

The cost of getting money back vs sending it back in my opinion is no brainer. You may lose out on postage sure but at least you'll have money that you can use to put it towards a different card. I would return it in my opinion.

 

[MrGenius]

I can't seem to find a replacement IC anywhere...

It seems a little odd you wouldn't be able to find it. It doesn't have to be the exact brand you know. Just the same type. There's usually at least a couple different brands you can use as a substitute.

What is it? I'd be glad to help try and track one down that should work.

 

[JackyNoTouchy]

The cost of getting money back vs sending it back in my opinion is no brainer. You may lose out on postage sure but at least you'll have money that you can use to put it towards a different card. I would return it in my opinion.

I spent 60€ on it and it will cost me over 30€ to send it tracked and insured or I could replace an ic on it for >10€ and get a working gpu

 

[phill]

Doesn't ebay do a return payment through themselves anyway so ebay pay for the postage or am I just dreaming?

 

[JackyNoTouchy]

It seems a little odd you wouldn't be able to find it. It doesn't have to be the exact brand you know. Just the same type. There's usually at least a couple different brands you can use as a substitute.

What is it? I'd be glad to help try and track one down that should work.

Sorry for the late reply
Am I right in saying this is the bios chip here? Sorry I have never worked on gpus.
It has a long code and I'm unsure of the manufacturer. Also sorry for the bad picture Its late so the lightnings bad.

The code on the chip is AH1611 25Q21BT E66483 and the manufacturer symbol looks like a G.
Thanks for the help would be great if you could help find it!

 

[95Viper]

Just an observation. You might have some other problems going on here.

Supposed to look like this:

If that came like that.. I would notify the seller to take it back and give full refund, also pay shipping costs. If he did not; and, if you paid with paypal or CC, I would take it to them for assistance.
Also, make a complaint to ebay for resolution.
Unless, the seller told you of that condition or you had a hand in it.

 

[JackyNoTouchy]

Just an observation. You might have some other problems going on here.

View attachment 113627

Supposed to look like this:
View attachment 113628

If that came like that..
so....about that.. I wanted to check the caps but I didnt have a solder station and wanted to replace the caps on the vrms lol. dont worry its a bit ugly but there is no short. Also I know I'm an idiot xD but student budget lul Its the reason I can't get the refund....OOPS

 

[95Viper]

Uh, yep, well, at least your honest about it...
A couple of those solder joints don't look very good, but that could be the picture.
Hope you did not put to much heat on those other parts.

EDIT: Some advise.. practice before taking on the BIOS chip or whatever you plan on replacing.

 

[JackyNoTouchy]

Uh, yep, well, at least your honest about it...
A couple of those solder joints don't look very good, but that could be the picture.
Hope you did not put to much heat on those other parts.

EDIT: Some advise.. practice before taking on the BIOS chip or whatever you plan on replacing.

Don't worry its the picture I do have alot of soldering experience the solder joints are good I had to use the flash because its dark so it looks really bad and the burns show up too but they are soldered properly
I had the card working this morning after changing them. I did lift that amp leg up to break the connection aswell. ah sure hopefully one day I'll be able to afford a proper air soldering station

Also Update on the Bios chip its made by a company called Giga Device but all the chips I can find are in chinese. Also this is the product code Gd25Q21BT I can't seem to find them for sale on farnell or other retailers so I'm not really sure where to get one

EDIT: Found this chip https://www.digikey.ie/product-deta...k-limited/GD25Q20CTIGR/1970-1004-1-ND/9484754 Its very similar to the original ic but I can't find the datasheet for the original so I'm not certain it would work

 

[MrGenius]

It's a GigaDevice 25Q21BT(GD25Q21BT) 2Mb (256K x 8) NOR Flash(pretty sure) SOP8 150mil

GD25Q21B datasheet <== That is the correct one.

They can be had. If you don't mind ordering from China.
https://www.chinahao.com/product/559859409971/
https://www.yoycart.com/Product/543507602044/
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=559750277517

Or you might try one of these.
https://www.digikey.com/products/en/integrated-circuits-ics/memory/774?FV=401994,1140003,2380633,4500014,8e80066,1f140000,ffe00306&quantity=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&stock=1&pageSize=25

Of which I would probably go with the GigaDevice 25Q20CTIGR(GD25Q20CTIGR) 2Mb (256 x8) NOR Flash SOP8 150mil. Which is as close a match as I could find(and probably as close as you're ever gonna get )

GD25Q20CTIGR datasheet

 

[JackyNoTouchy]

I would probably go with the GigaDevice 25Q20CTIGR(GD25Q20CTIGR) 2Mb (256 x8) NOR Flash SOP8 150mil. Which is as close a match as I could find(and probably as close as you're ever gonna get )

Funny I was just comparing the two.
I think I'll go for the GD25Q20CTIGR they look identical in the datasheets, Hopefully this will fix the problem!
You have been extremely helpful today and I can't thank you enough, I'll update you when I replace the chip
Thanks again!

 

[eidairaman1]

Just an observation. You might have some other problems going on here.

View attachment 113627

Supposed to look like this:
View attachment 113628

If that came like that.. I would notify the seller to take it back and give full refund, also pay shipping costs. If he did not; and, if you paid with paypal or CC, I would take it to them for assistance.
Also, make a complaint to ebay for resolution.
Unless, the seller told you of that condition or you had a hand in it.

Yup that card is burnt/damaged, no wonder he has problems, no bios flash will reverse this physical damage

Don't worry its the picture I do have alot of soldering experience the solder joints are good I had to use the flash because its dark so it looks really bad and the burns show up too but they are soldered properly
I had the card working this morning after changing them. I did lift that amp leg up to break the connection aswell. ah sure hopefully one day I'll be able to afford a proper air soldering station

Also Update on the Bios chip its made by a company called Giga Device but all the chips I can find are in chinese. Also this is the product code Gd25Q21BT I can't seem to find them for sale on farnell or other retailers so I'm not really sure where to get one

EDIT: Found this chip https://www.digikey.ie/product-deta...k-limited/GD25Q20CTIGR/1970-1004-1-ND/9484754 Its very similar to the original ic but I can't find the datasheet for the original so I'm not certain it would work

FCS, by the time you get the Solder Station you could have a New 570.

 

[JackyNoTouchy]

Yup that card is burnt/damaged, no wonder he has problems, no bios flash will reverse this physical damage



FCS, by the time you get the Solder Station you could have a New 570.

Calm down I'm the one who burned the board and its fine no shorts the solder connections are good. The card was working earlier there is no circuit damage on the capacitor bank
Ill be able to change the bios chip with my iron if I'm precise. I've been soldering boards for years also this card was meant for an editing pc I already have an rx580 in my main

 

[AsRock]

Doesn't ebay do a return payment through themselves anyway so ebay pay for the postage or am I just dreaming?

Yes ( i all so posted above about it ), as it's a faulty item. but he's not taking any notice, Ignorance is bliss.

Done with this thread.

 

[eidairaman1]

Calm down I'm the one who burned the board and its fine no shorts the solder connections are good. The card was working earlier there is no circuit damage on the capacitor bank
Ill be able to change the bios chip with my iron if I'm precise. I've been soldering boards for years also this card was meant for an editing pc I already have an rx580 in my main

I hope it works out for you, a steady hand is a must lol. If you need the bios files I can track em down.

 

[JackyNoTouchy]

Yes ( i all so posted above about it ), as it's a faulty item. but he's not taking any notice, Ignorance is bliss.

Done with this thread.

Sorry but I said it earlier I burned/damaged the board thats why I don't want to send it back. I love repairing electronics and wanted to get experience repairing a gpu. I stopped caring about the money all I wan't is to attempt the repair now. Even if I don't fix it I have gained a lot of knowledge about gpu repair which will aid me in my future career

I hope it works out for you, a steady hand is a must lol. If you need the bios files I can track em down.

Thanks for the offer! I got a copy of the original you guys have been a great help and I am appreciative.

 

[moproblems99]

Yes ( i all so posted above about it ), as it's a faulty item. but he's not taking any notice, Ignorance is bliss.

Done with this thread.

Ignorance is bliss? Look in the mirror, he modified the card (and somewhat damaged it) is being honest. If anything, he deserves a pat on the back for being honest. Every now and then I fail to read something properly but come on.

On a side note, I took a gas soldering iron to a board once. But then again, that is why I was an auto mechanic.

 

[MrGenius]

I've done WAY worse. And got away with it. Which is why my motto is...

"It don't gotta look good. Just has to work good."