Problems installing AGP card

[adammc1]

Today I tried to install a new graphics card on my 5 year old Dell Dimension 4600. I ordered a recommended graphics card through Dell. Asus AH3450 512 MB 64 bit (even though I thought I was getting an ATI Radeon HD3450, I think it's just a marketing difference between PCI and AGP cards). I hate having an outdated and unpopular card.

Anyway, this is my first time swapping hardware, and I thought I followed all the steps correctly. Made sure the card was seated firmly, and hooked up an additional power supply (P6 connection). The on-board fan powered up, but no video display on two different monitors tried. Using a D-Sub connection.

Can anyone think of something I may have missed, or did I just get faulty hardware? Do I need to use the last additional power cord (P7)?

My power supply is the original, 250W, so it should be adequate. Dell has been very helpful in recent weeks, including talking me through an XP reinstall, but were not great today. They are sending a new card though, so hopefully that one will work.

Any insight is appreciated. I know I'm not totally fluent but I'm learning.

 

[Meow9000]

250W is really not enough, look at upgrading the PSU. That would be my first thought.

Dell are not best know for their customer service or knowlage or the parts they use for that matter.

Post your system specs so we can have a closer look, if you need a hand with that. just ask and im sure someone will post a reply soon.

Edit: And welcome to TPU

 

[adammc1]

Thanks for the welcome.

Dell assured me this would be compatible, and I specifically asked about the power supply. Would that make it not display video right off the bat though?

Here are some system specs:

Dell Dimension 4600i
Intel Pentium 4
2.8 Ghz
1.5 Gig Ram

Let me know if you need anything more specific. Thanks.

 

[LittleLizard]

250W is really not enough, look at upgrading the PSU. That would be my first thought.

Dell are not best know for their customer service or knowlage or the parts they use for that matter.

Post your system specs so we can have a closer look, if you need a hand with that. just ask and im sure someone will post a reply soon.

Edit: And welcome to TPU

u2k is running a 9500gt on 220w psu so it should be fine a 3450

Thanks for the welcome.

Dell assured me this would be compatible, and I specifically asked about the power supply. Would that make it not display video right off the bat though?

Here are some system specs:

Dell Dimension 4600i
Intel Pentium 4
2.8 Ghz
1.5 Gig Ram

Let me know if you need anything more specific. Thanks.

mmm. try swapping your old card again. if your old card works, then maybe you got a dead card or with a dead port. try the other port. if its pci, try putting it on a different pci.

Also welcome to TPU

 

[adammc1]

Yes, I was able to reinstall my old card which is thankfully working, but barely. It's at least allowing me to type this. That is why I'm thinking I got a defective card. I just wanted to make sure I didn't make any mistakes with the install. I tried to steer clear of those gold contacts and be gentle but who knows. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Meow9000]

u2k is running a 9500gt on 220w psu so it should be fine a 3450

Yes i understand that, but the PSU is probably 5 years old, depending on the make/model it might not be as effective as some of the newer ones.

But yes, it could be a bad card. Better to rule that out than spend more money for now.

 

[TheLaughingMan]

Well you should consider the fact that a PSU degrades over time. If the PSU is 4 to 5 years old, then on average it loses about 5% ( could be wrong here) of its maximum power each year. Taking that into account, the PSU may only be capable of ~200W now, which is not enough.

If you have the option, try the HD 4350 in another computer or another PSU with more juice in your computer. I believe this will correct the issue. I say get at least 320 Watt PSU to be sure.

 

[instron]

Did you go in the bios and set the agp voltage to high,this is recommended by the videocard company.Tell us some of the agp settings also.