Video card failure?

Question

I have a new computer system which has an Nvidia 7300LE 512mb Video card. Unfortunately, the card has somehow been damaged and it now won't display anything on the monitor. I have decided to replace the video card. How do I replace the card? And can I buy any make of card or does it have to be another Nvidia card?

How do I find out which card my motherboard supports? I can no longer see anything on the display on the computer. Also, how do I remove the old driver when I can't display anything?

Also, can anyone give me some idea as to why the card has died? We usually leave the computer switched on all the time, could this be a problem, also I have been encoding a lot of video files to put onto DVD, could it be possible that the card has simply worn out from over use? Bear in mind, the card and the computer it is in are only three months old.

Answer 1

You can buy any card that uses the same interface, either pci express or AGP (regular pci hasnt been used for years now). Any brand will do, but I recommend Nvidia because I am currently running an ATI x1600 and the drivers are not very reliable, and I had to edit them with a dll editor because it was limiting my card to 128mb when it is 256mb with 256mb hypermemory.

DO NOT USE TIGERDIRECT, THEY ARE DISHONEST

After reading your additional comments, I think it may be another problem.
If the computer starts up, but you dont hear anythng after that, its not the video card, because you would hear windows start up if the rest of the computer is good.
You should also reset the cmos in case someone messed with the settings. It may just be that someone switched the video mode from dedicated to integrated.

Answer 2

The replacement is easy, and no, it doesn't have to be another Nvidia, although I recommend it. The installation process will be detailed in the instructions when you buy a new card, you need to decide rather AGP, PCI, or PCI express, is the route you want to take, (and what your motherboard supports). Just make sure you know what type of expansion slots you have, so that you know which cards you have the option of buying.

Answer 3

1) replacing the card is very simple. the card will come complete with a set of instructions telling you how to load the drivers etc.

2) yes you can purchase any make but i would reccomend you purchase nVidia cards as at the moment these seem to be the best.

3) there is another option your motherboard comes with a built in display card. it is normally a socket coloured blue. use a blue ended vga cable and plug your screen into that socket and then you dont need to purchase a new card and just remove the old broken card by pulling it gentlly out of the PCI socket and package it up well and send it back to nVidia and get them to repair it.

Answer 4

Unless your 7300LE has physical damage, better have it checked in another PC to confirm it is really DEAD.

Your video card slot would accept an ATI card. Be sure to uninstall the old driver of the 7300LE before installing the driver of your new card.

I suggest you consider the 7300GT ddr3. It is faster than your 7300LE. Of course the 7600 series would be better, if budget permits.

Answer 5

Now you know why I hate Nvidia! I've had 2 Nvidias in the past and they died in days after putting them in. The excuse of the dealer saying I electricuted the board before installing and burned out the board. Bull! Now I got ATI Raedon Ecstasy 128mb. And its in its 3rd year of service. Its cheaper too. You can always go to http://www.tigerdirect.com and check out the prices there. Then to install into puter, you locate you Agp slot which is above all other slots.