I think I fried my GF9600 GT

OK...so, the WoW realms were going down for the umpteenth time .. so I decided to do some case dusting and applying AS-5 to my GPU and CPU (they seemed to be running abit hot, both around 65*C~67*C under load). And install a 2nd 500GB HDD.

So I got everything all dusted, and cleaning the PUs. Applied the AS-5 in a small cross on both. Got the HDD in, and everything else back in better than before (cable management).

NOTE: I used to have a 2nd HDD in before, and had sleep/wake issues. I believe the PSU didn't have enuff 12v amps upon boot, but only from a sleep/wake. From a cold boot it was fine. Since then I've gotten a USB to IDE adapter for that HDD and is removed.

Anywho, so everything is back in, dusted, cleaned, new AS-5 .. and I power it on. Initial fans all kick on in high speed, then settle down. HDD LED blinks a couple of times ...... and no signal detected on monitor. So I figure it was having low 12v issues like before, and I turn it off, disconnect the 2nd HDD and reboot, with the newer 2nd HDD connected via USB adapter.

Yadda yadda yadda, it boots and I boot into Mint Linux because it's EZ'er for me to partition a new HDD. I start to fiddle around in GParted to partition the new HDD, and everything goes fine, but my main HDD is flagged 'dirty'. I try to use GParted to check disk it..says it can't or summat. So I open a terminal, and 'sudo fsck /dev/sda' .. error message about cannot find fsck.ntfs. I spend some time Google'ing how I can apt-get it .. but didn't quite find anything. I figure I'll just boot into W7 and chkdisk it there, or it'll be checked at boot.

Reboot, and .... no signal detected. what? the 2nd HDD is out and not on the 12v rail. Force reboot .. and I let it sit for a while to see if anything happens. After 3 self reboots, it looks and sounds like its booting into W7 .. but no signal is going to the monitor. I see the LEDs all blinking, I hear the boot chime .. but no video.

I turn everything off, remove the GF 9600GT card, and try the onboard GF8200. Yep it boots fine and I get signal. I put the GF 9600GT back in, double check all cables, its seated properly ... powers on but doesn't boot.


So do you think somehow the GF 9600GT got fried? I wore the static wrist thingy all the time.

Only thing I can think of could be using to much AS5, if it gets on anything else it can cause problems.
I've never heard off or seen anyone suggest or apply it in an X pattern.

Normaly a small drop in the middle of the chip is enough , usually I'll take a credit card and then spread that small amount evenly over the entire chip making sure it doesn't come into contact with anything other than the top of the chip.
Your only trying to fill in any scratches or in some cases the chip might have minute dips in the corners or around the edges. I've seen this when I have polished the tops of the chips to get them as flat as possible.

Don't get me wrong it sounds like you have done this before, but even the smallest amount of "to much" can squeeze out and get into places it shouldn't be and since it's conductive cause problems.

Trying re-seating the card and checking all you cables and their pins is worth a look.

As mentioned above cards just quite sometimes without any warning. And one that has been through many heating and cooling cycles, then handled as carefully as possible can cause problems like micro fractures in the soldering on the card.

Not that I would regularly recommend this without a strong Warning because it is inherently dangerous, but many cards have been brought back to life by baking the card in your oven. Baking Graphics card - Google Search

This is an extreme way to go and I would only attempt it if I was absolutely certain the card was bad and out of warranty,and done with plenty of ventilation or even wearng a resporator.
Temperature and time in the oven are critical. As well as breaking the card down to just the PCB board.

One other thing to keep in mind if sending the card in for an RMA, if their is any sign that the card has been altered or tampered with even removing and re-aplying the thermal compound, some manufacturers can get a bit difficult to deal with and possibbly use it as a way to void the warranty.
Fabe

I am trying to call around to see if I can take my card to somewhere and test it on another rig. I don't know really anybody around here I can try that out.

In the mean time I've going to order a new card, and decided on the GTS 450. According to Nvidia it has a minium of 400w PSU, mine is 430w. HD 5750s minium is 450, so is the GTS 250 for that matter.

I've picked the Asus ENGTS450 DirectCU TOP/DI/1GD5 from Newegg, as it has good reviews (though only 11). I was trying to double check its PSU reqs, but I havent found any besides what Nvidia says about the GTS 450.

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
GeForce GTS 450



edit: in the mean time I am using my onboard GF8200 with a 12" fan pointing into my case .. I do not want to fry the chipset/IGP. With normal case fans, 2x80mm & 1x120mm, temps got up to 65*C (idle, surfing) on the 8200. With the 12" fan its around 52*C (idle, surfing).

Well from the pictures it requires a 6pin connector so I think your right on the minimum.

I did manage to find this

Fabe

Kools thanks thefabe :) .. hopefully my Antec Earthwatts 430 should work with the GTS 450 and install the 2nd HDD.

Thank goodness I added the desk fan to the side of the computer. Just watching Hulu or other flash videos, the IGP temps rocketed to 60*C (had fan on medium speed). Now I have to set the fan to High if I watch any Flash videos.

Your Welcome.Yet we still know it's really about the Amps on the 12+ rail(s)
Fabe

Hopefully my +12v 17a & 16a rails will support the GTS 450 and the 2nd HDD.

I called a friend who lives 25 miles away, he said we can try my dead GF9600 on his rig, and vice versa. Hopefully it's salvageable, would be a good backup.

*sigh* Neweggs' UPS Guaranteed 3 Day Service is more like 5 to 6 days

Once it's received my friend all time will be forgotten.
Fabe