Radeon HD 4550 and Dell Optiplex G380

Forums › Desktop computing › Radeon HD 4550 and Dell Optiplex G380

Galaxytramp

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#60491 27-Apr-2010 00:18

Hi

I have been following this thread with interest
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=50&topicid=56758&page_no=1

Anyway I took the plunge and purchased a Radeon HD 4550 and installed it. I think this might have been a costly mistake because the Dell no longer boots. It just makes noises like a jet on take off and the power button glows yellow.

I have visually checked the capicitors on the board and cannot see any that are misshapen or leaking so is it possible I may have simply blown the PSU or am I looking at buying a new PC to fit around my new graphics card :(

GT

Galaxytramp

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#323317 27-Apr-2010 00:29

Actually a GX280 Mini tower slip of the fingers and unable to edit post

Ragnor

8279 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 585

Trusted

#323323 27-Apr-2010 00:41

So does it boot normally once you've taken the new gfx card out?

If so re-install it again and triple check it's seated in the slot fully.

Other things that come to mind are, is the psu powerful enough to drive the card + all the other devices you have in the case?

Galaxytramp

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#323328 27-Apr-2010 01:13

Hi

I took the card out immediately and rebooted but the damage has obviously been done. I have attempted to get the thing up and running several times since but without success.

TomHax was obviously lucky with his in that his card worked OK.

The yellow light on the on/off switch is notifying a mobo or PSU failure according to Dell support site, shame that it is not more specific!!

GT

Ragnor

8279 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 585

Trusted

#323971 28-Apr-2010 02:38

It's very unlikley a new video card would just break your PC's motherboard, if installed correctly.

Some questions to ask yourself:

Did you turn off the power at switch on the psu and/or the wall before installing it?
Did you wear an anti static wrist strap to ground yourself?
Were you wearing clothes that might have caused a static build up?
Did you do the install on the floor on carpet?

Alternatively the PC might have been on it's last legs and moving handling the case led to more sudden failure.

Galaxytramp

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#323975 28-Apr-2010 04:40

Ragnor: It's very unlikley a new video card would just break your PC's motherboard, if installed correctly.

Some questions to ask yourself:

Did you turn off the power at switch on the psu and/or the wall before installing it?
Did you wear an anti static wrist strap to ground yourself?
Were you wearing clothes that might have caused a static build up?
Did you do the install on the floor on carpet?

Alternatively the PC might have been on it's last legs and moving handling the case led to more sudden failure.

Hi Ragnor

Static discharge certainly not the issue here (Marble Floors) Went through my usual discharge proceedures anyway. I have added Ram and all sorts to this and other PC's without any probs at all.

I am beginning to think that the PSU and/or MOBO must have been in their twilight years and the sudden demand to power the new card was just too much for some component or other.

A real and expensive nuisance, resigned myself to buying a new PC now. I would build one but time is not on my side plus components are not cheap here in Spain.

GT