(Question Answered) Quick Tech Question
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Something tells me you shouldn't try it. If its a PC you care about don't do weird experiments on it! Try it out on some old heap you don't give a damn about instead! Unfortunately I'm not that tech-savy so thats the best advice I can give you 
I'm not an expert on the matter but I can tell you that providing your PSU (power supply unit) can provide enough power its technically possible to run both cards without "frying" it. My only worry would be the incompatibility issues using both a Nvidia and a ATI card in the same computer can cause.
I wish I could. I only have access to one computer with a PCI-E slot. And that would, of course, be my own personal, hand-built, gaming rig.Simalacrum said:Something tells me you shouldn't try it. If its a PC you care about don't do weird experiments on it! Try it out on some old heap you don't give a damn about instead! Unfortunately I'm not that tech-savy so thats the best advice I can give you
I hand-picked my PSU for quad-SLI compatability.Aac18 said:
That won't be an issue, not with running some old ATI PCI card.
Well if its capable of Quad-SLI then you certainly won't face any power issues. It really just comes down to if its possible to run two cards from different makers on the same computer. If you do decide to give it a go remember to install the drivers BEFORE installation of your second card or you can experience errors or full blown failure of the card (its not recognized so no power is supplied, etc).Nimbus said:
I think your motherboard has to be SLI to do that.
Otherwise, if you are testing for bad parts--don't cut corners, just take it a little slower if you have to. It may be frustrating but it may save you from frying your computer.
Otherwise, if you are testing for bad parts--don't cut corners, just take it a little slower if you have to. It may be frustrating but it may save you from frying your computer.
Ok, to clear up the confusion, I am not trying to get them working in SLI or Crossfire or anything like that. I just need to see if the computer recognises the PCI-E card. Unfortunately, the PCI-E card isn't outputting video when I install it, and I can't test it in any other computer, so I have to explore other methods of testing.
EDIT: It seems like this guy [http://forums.techarena.in/vista-hardware-devices/1094319.htm] got away with it. The source is dubious to say the least, so I would still like someone who knows what they are talking about the confirm this.
EDIT: It seems like this guy [http://forums.techarena.in/vista-hardware-devices/1094319.htm] got away with it. The source is dubious to say the least, so I would still like someone who knows what they are talking about the confirm this.
ok from someone who has done this on a regular basis, the only thing that will happen is that you will have 2 video cards in your system as long as drivers are installed for both cards
for the issue with your PCIe card, when does the video output stop? ie shows bios and then nothing after or does it show the bios start up and then black out
if it's the first one, then it's something in the bios, ie telling it to boot from PCIe, or it's due to the fact the card isn't in the slot properly, so just stick it in
if it dies during the windows loading screen, it's probly a strange resolution the card can't handle, you will can try loading safe mode and fixing the resolution there
for the issue with your PCIe card, when does the video output stop? ie shows bios and then nothing after or does it show the bios start up and then black out
if it's the first one, then it's something in the bios, ie telling it to boot from PCIe, or it's due to the fact the card isn't in the slot properly, so just stick it in
if it dies during the windows loading screen, it's probly a strange resolution the card can't handle, you will can try loading safe mode and fixing the resolution there
Something tells me that that will not be a good idea. I can't say anything for sure(I know, helpful right?) but I wouldn't test it on your 'gaming rig'.
Certian new nVidia cards do allow you to hook up two into a giant one. But I don't adivse doing it unless you know what your doing and have a beast of a cooling system. Liquid Nitro ftw!Simalacrum said:Something tells me you shouldn't try it. If its a PC you care about don't do weird experiments on it! Try it out on some old heap you don't give a damn about instead! Unfortunately I'm not that tech-savy so thats the best advice I can give you
The monitor it is plugged into remains in standby mode, as if the computer hasn't been turned on at all. Zero video output.cleverlymadeup said:
As for the specifics, the PCI-E card (the broken one) is a 9800 GX2. Which is why I am really reluctant to give up on it. The PCI card (which I am currently using out of necessity) is an ATI Radeon x1550 (don't laugh).
EDIT:
New? That's been around since '98.McCa said:
when you have only the one card plugged in does it make odd beeping noises when you turn it on?Nimbus said:
also if it's under warranty, take it back and get it replaced with a new one
no one should have an ati card forced on them. i'm usually a huge supporter of Canadian stuff but ati has pissed me off one too many times, mostly cause their support for drivers and promised features suck
it does sound like the card is dead tho. if you have to get a new one stick with nvidia
Ok, here is all the info I have:cleverlymadeup said:
When it was running normally, I would start it up and the fans on the card would speed up for a few seconds and then slow down again. Just as the fans slowed down to normal speeds, the screen would turn on.
However, now that it is broken the fans remain at full speed and the screen never turns on.
Also, when I plug it in and turn on the computer the card lights up (Red if no PSU plugs are connected, green if they are), so there is some life in it. (It recognises when the computer turns on even when not connected to the PSU, and it recognises when it is connected up correctly)
I realise I might be being a bit paranoid, but I really don't want to shell out for a new card to find out that is was a busted PCI-E slot or something.
