HP Z600 Workstation failing to start up with ASUS GTX 560 graphics card

[Izzet]

We are trying to install an ASUS GTX 560 graphics card in our Z600 workstation (running Windows 7 64-bit). However whenever we start up the computer the power button flashes red six times while beeping once a second (also six times). The computer doesn't boot up. I looked this up on the HP FAQ and the only advice it gives is to reseat the graphics card. We have done this 3 times but there is no change.  Before this problem started (ie. before we changed graphics card) we gave the computer a RAM upgrade (from 2GB to 16GB) but the computer worked as smooth as silk with the new RAM and we encountered no problems with it. However do you think it could be because of how we are powering it? it requires 2 6-pin PCIe cables to power it but as you know the Z600 only has 1 so we are using a Y-splitter on a spare molex cable (for another CD drive), and then a converter (that converts 2 molex to 1 6-pin PCIe) on that so it looks a bit like this:

                             spare molex

                                        |

                                        |         6-pin PCIe

    molex Y-splitter >    / \               

molex to 6-pin PCIe > Y               

                                        []               []

                                     [graphics card]

Please reply ASAP

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

What size power supply is in your PC?  I have seen  NVIDIA GTX 560s rated for 450 to 550 watt power supplies.

You should be using two (2) molex connectors to the Y splitter.  The GTX 560 is a 150 watt card.  The PCI-E 6 pin power connector is rated for 75 watts.  You are probably short 50 watts of +12 volt power.  The yellow and black wires on the 4 pin molex are the +12 volt power source.

Late edit: 

You might consider trying a NVIDIA GTX 550 which only requires one PCI-E 6 pin power connector.

[Izzet]

Our power supply is rated at 650 watts, and unfortunately we only have the one spare molex conection. 

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

You might consider trying a NVIDIA GTX 550 which only requires one PCI-E 6 pin power connector to see if indeed it is a power issue.

You are only using one video card, right?

[Izzet]

Indeed this is one way to find out, but a bit costly.

Is there any other way of establishing that it is a power problem? If so I am doubtful we will be able to replace our power supply (The Z600 has a nonstandard power supply (it looks like) and so i don't think it is possible to find a fitting one with two PCI-e aux cables instead of 1) Or is it possible to take power from somewhere else on the PC to power the graphics card?

And yes we are only using 1 graphics card. (The motheboard doesnt have an in-built one)

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

The HP workstations have been known to have propriety power supplies.

You are installing the video card into the black slot, right?  That would be PCI-E slot #2 on page 131.

Please post the product code for your workstation.

Try the troubleshooting procedures in this manual.  I think it is for your workstation.

[Izzet]

Yes, we are installing the card into the black slot (SLOT 2 the first PCI-e slot), the first one (although the PC has 2 PCI-e x16 75W slots which are both black)

Anyway the product number for the workstation is: KK549ET#ABU

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

You might try removing all PCI cards except the GTX560 and see what happens. 

[Izzet]

We have tried, there is no difference. We are going to tryn older graphics card with 1 molex power input, and we will use the molex which could be faulty on it. Will edit when I have the results

Edit: It turns out the graphics card we were going to try is not PCIe and therefore we cant use it.

We will proceed to try the graphics card on another computer to see if the graphics card is damaged

[niekos]

Already an solution?

i got exactly the same problem!

all lights are green on the graphic card (2 for each power slot), but after pressing the power button 6 beeps and a red ligth is winking.

The system does nu start, no videocard detected etc.