Hi guys, I am having very strange problems with my computer as concerning video. I'll get to specific models when I get home, but want to give a general outlin first. a year and a half ago I built a computer. I had immense problems with video for this computer. First, the video card wouldn't even turn on, Just a black screen. After returning it, and battling the various other issues with a PCI vid card, the returned card worked for doing things in windows and web browsing. However, if I ran a game, it went black screen.

I gave up for a year and a half almost and used my old computer.

After moving from Portland area to San Jose, my friends brow beat me and dragged the paperweight out. At this point, I had two nVidia PCI express 16 cards that were identical. Neither of them worked. My roomie had an ATI card that he let me borrow and it worked like a champ. I'd also replaced the motherboard thinking it might be the issue. So, I ordered another nVidia card, really wanting to get SLI going. The new card would not show video on start up at all. The ATI card worked just fine.

So.... forsaking my SLI dream, I order the exact same video card model as the working one. It arrives yesterday and last night I throw it in. The machine goes through post, but once Windows startup comes, the computer completely shuts off on it's own.

So, of 2 pairs of identical nVidia cards, none work. Even with the system in a bare bones state. The one PCI express card that works in the system works great. An identical card craps out.

Basically the only things that have NOT changed are the RAM, the CPU, and the Power Supply (a 700W OCZ that is SLI ready).

Any tips? I'm about to throw this thing out of my 3rd floor bedroom window.

*Opens window*

THAT's what I call tech support!

Arch, I'm not much good to you here. I'm still using an old single AGP card and haven't ventured into the SLI realm yet. Sounds like the nVidia cards are not compatible with your MB for some reason? Any help from the manufacturer's site or online forums?

Do some Googling on resolving IRQ conflicts, Arch. I say this as a guy with a lot of experience cramming more video cards into a case than any reasonable person would attempt.

Thanks guys, I'm looking for any suggestions. Glad to know Banzai is still there for me!

I"m leaning towards power supply problem, as it's not even just trying to SLI the cards, but even getting ONE to work in the thing to begin with. Was talking to Mr. Menty and he's leaning the same way. This is the 2nd motherboard with similar issues, so I don't know that it would be compatibility. Especially since I have one card that works and another identical card that does not, unless they're different firmware of the new card is DOA. I'm going to test it in another machine to make sure.

Yeah, I think that'd be the next thing to check. You've tried just about everything else.

Finally broke down and got another power supply yesterday. Put it in last night and made sure it worked fine with the current config. Then I put in one of the nVidia cards I had problems with and it came up perfectly. I was able to load the drivers and today after work I'm putting in it's twin for SLI, along with a 500 GB hard drive I also got for more storage space (music and movies).

Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it!

Glad to hear you had some success with a new PSU. How'd it go with the second video card and new HD? =)

Unfortunately, I didn't get to doing the 2nd vid card and new hard drive last night, probably tonight. I'll keep ya posted.