Help with PowerColor 9600XT

[DrakonII]

After installing the card and the drivers into my comp, I have noticed that I am unable to run any games or video test demos (3D Mark). When I try to start a game or a video test demo, it either immediately closes, or the computer restarts altogether. I was hoping someone would be able to help me out.

System Specs

AMD Athlon 2500 Barton Mobile
256 DDR Ram
PowerColor 9600XT
Gigabyte GA-7AVX Motherboard
Windows XP

I am going to Install my older card back in and see if it works (Seeing if its actually my new card that is messed up)

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[umop]

Well that is pretty odd, did you uninstall your previous video card's drivers and then install the ATi drivers? I'm not sure if that would fix it, but it would be worth a shot.

 

[DrakonII]

Yeah the system was free of previous drivers, I installed this card after a reformat of the drive.

 

[Shuzer]

Did you download Catalyst 4.4, or use the drivers included on the CD?

 

[DrakonII]

Tried both, and they both did the same thing.

Also I am now running on my previous card...which works fine. I suppose this means the 9600XT card is messed?

 

[Shuzer]

Does your 9600XT have a fan installed on it? If so, make sure it's spinning when the power comes on.
Also, what PSU do you have?

 

[DrakonII]

Yep, has a fan and it does spin.

Dont know what a PSU is

 

[Shuzer]

Power supply.. your problem could theoretically be a lack of power. It'd explain why your system restarts with the 9600XT, but not the older card.

Check the label on the side of the PSU for wattage

 

[umop]

Yeah the PSU might be it. At the same time there's a chance that the card you bought may be defective, but I doubt it.

 

[DrakonII]

The power supply is 300 watts.

This may sound like a dumb question, but why would it let me run normal things (Desktop operations) but not let me play games because I dont have enough power? Wouldnt I not be able to run it period?

 

[blahblahblah]

Your power supply isn't the problem then. Sounds like your card is bad.

[Edit]: Video Cards draw power on demand. So they may have enough power run a typical 2D applications (ie Windows), but when you use a 3D application (computer games) it uses more power.

 

[DrakonII]

Thank you very much everyone, you have all be very helpful, and thanks for explaining some of these things to a tech idiot

 

[umop]

You're welcome, and welcome to the forums too :afro: