P6540f onboard video appears to be dead

[Beezwaxz]

The onboard video adapter appears to be dead. Pc appears to start up with power. No diagnostic beeps are heard but i don't see any boot info on screen and shem remains blank. I've tried the monitor elsewhere so I know it's good. Also tried both vga and dvi ports to no avail. I have no problem installing a substitute video card but I'm not sure how to configure the bios sight unseen.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

You shouldn't have to configure the BIOS when installing a video card.

The BIOS switch should be automatic.

There could be a driver conflict problem though since it is always best to uninstall the graphics adapter and driver in the device manager before installing a replacement video card.

With a 250W P/S, I recommend the AMD Radeon HD 6450 or the nVidia 610 GT as cheap replacements that would perform better than the onboard video adapter.

[Beezwaxz]

Excellent news. Thanks for the quick reply.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Please let us know if replacing the video card resolved the problem.

[savvy2]

well there are many things to do beside assuming bad on board VGA chip, for sure, and takes only minutes

why wait a week for mailed cards.?

do full reset on it is first after a new coin cell.

Line AC cord OFF.

remove coin test it,  and replace it, below 2.9v,but keep out now.....

then push power button see power standby go 100% dead now.

it's now cold iron, as I say (all rails are 0vdc,  this can unlatch CMOS chips, and the recover most times NOW)

now put in the new coin, (if was bad) or use old one if it tested GOOD.

put back all power cords,

then power on and get bios up (ESC or F10 as the case may be) and do tHE BIOS set factory defaults.

if you get here, the VGA chip is ok, is it not.?

beyond above....

test1 ( just because you hear noise means little,  in fact means some power is there.only.

do all fans spin? and flow air.  a pc can overheat in seconds, need a demo on that,. can do.

did you do the annual clean out yet.   if not IT will over heat.

http://www.pcdied.com/overheated.html

1: PSU (look in rear of PSU see vents see fan, does it spin and blow air hard, it must, does it?

2: CPU , if this fan stalls, as all do,  even packed in lint the CPU all by its lonesome shuts down. (halts) (intel spec, facts)

3: and GPU if fitted, can have a fan, on chip, or on card, i cant see your mobo,  it rare.

4: is the coin cell at 2.9v to 3.3vdc, using a battery or replace it in seconds, for $2, if not the BIOS goes NUTS.

if bios goes nuts  the BIOS cant ID the optional chips used on any hp mobo, HP makes many mobo not just 1.

 the goal is GET BIOS working first. the ESC key the F10 or the text promps you say for years now.

the BIOS will see any card inserted the, but if the new card fails to then what,  well its not either GPU is it.

what I do is remove all cables on PC, but power and vga.

then all USB, then all HDD, all DVD drives,  unload the pc, mobo or all things that can SHORT. (even pull ram run 1 at a time) are this X1 slots populated? cant see yours.

SEE, that is what I do first, not add more things to over load that weak PSU.

does the DVD tray eject too?

as a test i even have box full of express video cards, even the oldest and most cheap cards work in my HP desktop

even $5 cards.

always keep one handy for such huge outlays, (lol)

here is your mobo spec

Motherboard - Aloe GL8E  ,,,,,,612498-001

this pc has super gutless 250watt PSU, so any card added there 75w max for express slot(spec) will fail with mr, gutless.

do not put a gamers video card there, unless  you upgrade that PSU. or it will  die worse or crash hard!

see that coin cell left center, id be  all over that,,, like  a Duck on a June bug... (hehe)