Built a desktop, monitor isn't connecting to video card

Cakebread · 17 Nov 2012

I just finished putting together a new desktop, specs:
Intel Core i5-3570K
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
ASRock Z77 Pro4 ATX LGA1155
Kingston Blu 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5″ 7200RPM
XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB

and the monitor (LG Flatron E2442TC) is not connecting to the graphics card. I tried with 2 different cables, a VGA with DVI adapter and then just a DVI to DVI, so it's not the cable. When I plug into the motherboard it works just fine but when I plug into the video card it says "DVI-D Power Saving Mode." And it does this specifically when I plug into the video card, so the monitor is clearly reading the card, but for whatever reason it's not getting a picture. I've updated the drivers but this is happening before windows even loads so I don't think it's that. I also just did a CMOS reset, no change.

Any suggestions??
Thank you!

TVeblen · 18 Nov 2012

With the monitor plugged into the motherboard video port, when you go into the BIOS settings, do you find an options for video regarding switching, or enabling add on cards?

Cr00zng · 18 Nov 2012

The default BIOS value of “Share Memory, Auto", suppose to disable the Intel HD Graphics 4000 on the CPU when an add-on video card is inserted into the PCIE slot(s). Either this value is set incorrectly, the motherboard has some special feature that needs to be tweaked in the BIOS for enabling your add-on video card, or you have a bad motherboard that does not switch off the Intel graphic chip. You could try different PCIE slot to see, if that makes a difference. Or just call ASRock support to resolve this issue.

The message of "DVI-D Power Saving Mode." is normal, when no video signal is received from the card. The XFX Radeon card has nothing to process since the the video is going through the Intel HD Graphics 4000 chip.

Cakebread · 19 Nov 2012

There's a BIOS option for Primary Graphics Adapter, which I've set to PCI-e. Also I've made sure Share Memory is set to auto. Neither of these things have solved the problem.

Honestly I'm starting to wonder if the video card is just not receiving power or something. Is there a way to tell whether it's functioning?

I've also put in a support ticket with ASRock.

paulpicks21 · 19 Nov 2012

Have you tried removing the card and re-seating it? Does the fan spin on the card?

Paul

Cakebread · 19 Nov 2012

I just removed and reseated it, still no luck. And yes, the fan is spinning, so it looks like it's definitely getting power.

TVeblen · 19 Nov 2012

You can try the card in another working computer to test and see if the card works. If it doesn't then it could be a defective card.

You can test a known good video card in your new rig to test and see if the problem is on the motherboard. If that card works then the new card could be defective.

Either way an RMA would be your next step.

Note: you don't need to install either card in the host PC's operation system. You could disconnect the hard drive and boot the computer just to see if you get the BIOS screens through the card, which should be enough to answer your question.