No signal with new video card

[scottatah]

Hey Folks,

Not sure if this is the best spot to post this, forgive me if it's not.

I recently picked up an MSI N760 TF video card and installed it in the below system:

Case: Silverstone Fortress FT03
Mobo: Asus Maximus V Gene
CPU: 3770k (running at about 4.6Ghz though I also played with stock settings through these issues))
Cooling: Corsair H80i
RAM: 2x4GB Corsair Dominator Platinum 2133Mhz
PSU: Corsair HX650
HDD: OCZ Vertex 4 256GB
Extra Storage: Synology 1812+ offers multiple terabytes of storage for me.
Monitor: Connects via HDMI to the receiver and to a panasonic viera @ 1080p

After install, I booted up installed the drivers from Nvidia and rebooted to complete. My computer didn't come up after a reboot, it posted, but didn't go into windows it seemed. I shut down, started again and it booted with no issue. I played around, ran the windows index experience thing, got my 7.9 score ont he graphics that I was happy with.

I then uninstalled Trend Micro Internet Security as it was expiring, and upon reboot, I couldn't get into windows. I could see the splash screen, but then the system would go no signal. I rebooted multiple times, but no change. I can get into and play around the BIOS, but it gets jacked up booting to windows. I've tried remoting into this machine and I'm unable to at that point which tells me it's not actually getting into windows. I uninstalled the card and went back to onboard video, and everything was working perfectly.

A number of months back I'd tried to install a GTX660 (had an MSI and an Asus) and was having generally the same issue.

Today, I decided i'd reinstall Windows in case this was somehow a software issue. I installed the card,reinstalled Windows 7, installed the mobo drivers (except video) and then installed the MSI drivers (in case Nvidia's had an issue). System rebooted with no issues. I kept copying stuff from my NAS to my local drive when about 30 minutes in, my PC TV said "No Signal". I rebooted, and it was the same thing as previous. I can see the Windows splash screen, but before that can move to Loading Windows (or whatever the second screen is), it cuts out. I've never experienced a lockup/no signal issue like this any other time (except for when trying to get a dedicated video card to work).

I tried safemode once this most recent time and it was loading drivers when the system mysteriously rebooted and before I knew it, it was loading windows again (normal mode) and then showing no signal.

I've tried 3 different video cards, so i'm fairly sure it's not the card.
I've tried both PCIe slots on the mobo and the issue happens with both.
I've reinstalled the drivers numerous times and tried both Nvidia and MSI's recommended drivers.
I've played with various BIOS settings to no avail including defaults and I just recently upgraded to the latest bios from asus.
I've checked temps - CPU temps commonly around low 30's, 50's under some usage (with or without the vid card - though didn't exactly get to test much with it in).
The one time I was in windows with the card running and could see it's temps through CPUID they were low...definitely nothing alarming though i don't remember exactly what they were.

I have no idea what else to do. The most recent issue of it blowing up 30min into working almost made me think a HEAT issue, but that doesn't make sense given the temps I've seen consistently.
I don't think it's a power issue, though 650w should be sufficient for this card, and definitely should have been for the 660's when I tried them each a while back.
It's not a software issue with Windows so to speak - reinstalled Windows and installed the Video drivers before really installing other software beyond the chipset.
I don't think it's a driver issue (tried 2 different version...probably 3 if you go back to when i tried the 660s'). Having said that, the system does seem to cut out when I assume it would attempt to load the driver.
I suppose it could be a hardware issue with the mobo. It works fine pre-driver....and in the BIOS and what not, though I dunno if that fullly puts the mobo through it's paces?

Im out of ideas, and super frustrated. Any thoughts or suggestions? Any info I left out that you may require?

Thanks in advance!:mad:

[kkn]

try and change the cable if you have a spare laying around, just in case there is baad connection or defective one.

[scottatah]

I tried swapping the hdmi cable with the one connected to my ps3 and no diff. I should also mention I've now had this cable connecting to two different receivers and I've tried it directly to the tv as well

[kkn]

does the fans spin at all om the graphic card???

[scottatah]

As best I can tell yup! And like I said, I tried three different video cards, so I wouldn't think the cards themselves are bad.

I'm now debating if it could have ANY chance of being related to me using HDMI vs VGA/DVI. I dunno why it would, but i'm not sure if there's something VGA/DVI would display that HDMI wouldn't? I don't have a regular monitor to test with either, so thats a cunundrum.

[Zka17]

Sometimes Clear CMOS helps when new graphics is installed...

[scottatah]

Yup...tried clearing the CMOS. Went out and picked up a new PSU - Corsair AX650. Thought maybe I could use the existing cables thus easing my install, but dude at the store suggested against it. Reading up a few folks suggested against it. So i spent about 90min taking things apart, getting the old cables out and putting the new ones in.

There was a few issues on initial boot (one due to a poor cable connection - sorta my fault - stupid fan placement). But once I sorted it out, it booted and I'm in Windows - normal mode. Everything appears OK at the moment - though I'm nervous to really try anything heh. Below is a look at how everything is running. Fingers crossed that PSU was a dud and not giving full amps on the 12V or something?

[scottatah]

ugh....so frustrated! On my first reboot, it was the same old scenario. Saw the initial windows splash screen, and then no signal - and it seemingly never got to windows as per usual as I couldn't remote into the system.

Uninstalled the video card and voila - working like a charm. Sadly - I still want a video card.

So it ran fine while it was in windows, but getting to Windows seems to be the tough part (regular mode). Whats left to be the problem?

[Zka17]

Have you checked in BIOS which graphics is enabled? Set to the PCI one...

[scottatah]

I did check the BIOS and at one point I tried forcing it to use PCIe graphics, but no change.

As it turns out, it seems that the issue was a UEFI setting in the BIOS was the culprit. Once I forced it to Legacy everything has been cooperating. Done 10-20 reboots and no issues yet.