Strange VGA problem, help / suggestions needed.

I'm running the specs in my sig (since February last year). The only change since then has been a replacement A8N Deluxe a couple of months ago, as the last one got fried when I was changing a chipset fan. Now the new A8N still has the old style chipset fan, and I don't think it's spinning, but that's no problem.

Basically, the computer was on 24/7 for a few months, but I have recently started turning it off more, as I have no need to keep it on. So turned it off last night about 1ish as normal, and when I turned it on this morning I found that it didn't succesfully POST. The monitor went into power saving mode and I got the VGA error POSTmessage ("System failed VGA test"). Now I've done nothing abnormal, just turned it on and this happened...anyone have any ideas? I haven't really done much tinkering yet...I took the side of the case off, gave the inside a dust, checked the 6800GT (the fan was spinning properly, and it seemed it good order). I also checked if it was seated properly, which it was. Now I'm kinda confused as to what's gone wrong here... is this a common problem?

Advice needed! Do you think simply resetting the CMOS would help? (I doubt it but want to get this working again!)

Cheers,
Ross.

I have the same problem

http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=78476

Was told on another forum that it could be the chipset over heating. Maybe there is something in that.

Hmm, thanks, I shall check that link out. I guess that is a definate possibility as I don't think my fan is actually spinning on the chipset. Can this be fixed?

We had a similar issue a while ago and, strangely, swapping the system PSU sorted it out... I initially blamed the grafix card (as the PC was still running) but a colleague suggeste the PSU and, lo and behold, it worked.

Nimble.

Hmmm... I don't think it's anything to do with the PSU, as it's been running fine for a long time, and it's a reliable brand etc. I'm gona try and get the chipset fan up and running just now and see if that helps, give it a clean etc.

Does your motherboard have a vid card built in? Does that work? If not then perhaps it's the motherboard at fault?

No it doesn't, although I have a few PCI graphics cards I could try. I'm quite sure it's the chipset fan though, as its roasting to touch when turned on, hence I don't really want to try to much!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RDL

I'm running the specs in my sig (since February last year). The only change since then has been a replacement A8N Deluxe a couple of months ago, as the last one got fried when I was changing a chipset fan. Now the new A8N still has the old style chipset fan, and I don't think it's spinning, but that's no problem.

Basically, the computer was on 24/7 for a few months, but I have recently started turning it off more, as I have no need to keep it on. So turned it off last night about 1ish as normal, and when I turned it on this morning I found that it didn't succesfully POST. The monitor went into power saving mode and I got the VGA error POSTmessage ("System failed VGA test"). Now I've done nothing abnormal, just turned it on and this happened...anyone have any ideas? I haven't really done much tinkering yet...I took the side of the case off, gave the inside a dust, checked the 6800GT (the fan was spinning properly, and it seemed it good order). I also checked if it was seated properly, which it was. Now I'm kinda confused as to what's gone wrong here... is this a common problem?

Advice needed! Do you think simply resetting the CMOS would help? (I doubt it but want to get this working again!)

Cheers,
Ross.

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System failed VGA test?

So the problem occurs just when you turn it off and other day you see the message when you turn it on?

Have you tried install the XP again?

It only started occuring the other day, everything was fine before that. I can't reinstall, as I can't do anything. It just says system failed VGA test, and the monitor goes in digital power saving mode. So basically, I can't do anything.

Could I just RMA the mobo?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RDL

It only started occuring the other day, everything was fine before that. I can't reinstall, as I can't do anything. It just says system failed VGA test, and the monitor goes in digital power saving mode. So basically, I can't do anything.

Could I just RMA the mobo?

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What I have to do to get it to boot again, is wiggle the connector on the back of the card a little and it boots again. Then it's a lottery of when it will crash next :)

Right

have you got anything connected to the power cable that is connected to the EZ-PLUG molex connection on the motherboard ?

If you have anything like fans etc connected to this, remove them and try booting.

The reason I'm asking is about 2 weeks ago, I had the same issues and had to fiddle with the PC everytime I reboot in order to get the PC to boot back into life each and every time I powered down the PC - hence why I used to leave it on 24/7 as upon restarting, the VGA would just stay in standby and it seemed nothing happened and then by fluke it would boot every 10th attempt - maybe more.

I forgot to connect the case fans after a nice cleanout and pressed the power button and low & behold the PC booted first time.

Now after experimenting I've found that ANYTHING connected to the power connections after the molex on the motherboard seems to cause my PC not to boot first time all the time and the VGA to just sit there as you have stated in a blank state.

Removal of the items automatically meant the PC booted first time.

Talk about wierd? Confused the hell out of me, but now I'm glad my PC boots first time all the time now :)

Maybe, just maybe this is what is causing your issues :)

Try remove the SLI switch card and give it a clean :)

No-one else think that this is an artifact of an overheated chipset fan? I'd RMA it without hesitation myself.

Well I would say that if you've got the spare video cards lying around, it's at least worth trying them out before you RMA the mobo, just to eliminate the possibility that it's your GFX card that is at fault and not the chipset.

My friend has the same mobo as you, although he is running dual 6800 Ultras. His fan has also stopped spinning on the chipset, and it's been running stable in his PC for almost a year now...his computer room reaches temps of over 30 degrees in this current weather, and still no probs, so I'd be inclined not to rush into blaming the chipset.