Video card update for Win10 support does not power on

[HPretiree2009]

I need to upgrade to Win10. The current GeForce 7500 LE video in my HP Pavilion H8-1200z is not supported and Nvidia is not writing a new driver for it.

I purchased a PowerColor Radeon HD5450 1GB which is supported by Win10.

My system will not produce any video when powered on after the HD5450 video card is installed.

There was a suggestion elsewhere on the web that I may need to update the MB BIOS to support this "supposedly" backward compatible PCIe card.

There is no newer BIOS listed on the HP support site for this Gigabyte MB.

Is there any way to get this video upgrade to work in my PC?

[TheOldMan]

You apparently have one of the computers that do not allow the video card to be changed outside a range of certain cards.  The PC in question is compatible with these cards.

• GeForce GT 530 (2 GB)
• GeForce GT 545 (3 GB)
• GeForce GTX 550i (1 GB)
• Radeon HD 6450 (1 GB)
• Radeon HD 6850 (1 GB)
• Radeon HD 7450 (1 GB)
• Radeon HD 7570 (1 GB)
• Radeon HD 7570 (2 GB)
• Radeon HD 7670 (1 GB)
• Radeon HD 7770 (2 GB)

Some of the different cards available do not co-exist with the motherboard BIOS's.  That is why some cards do not work with all PC's.  OEM manufacturers normally do not issue BIOS updates unless there is problem with the original configurations.  The BIOS updates are then to fix a problem with the original hardware and not to necessarily accommodate different hardware.  This particular PC may accept other cards not listed.

[HPretiree2009]

OK, I can understand that I am restricted to a list of compatible video cards and thank you for listing them.

As the old expression goes, let's "drop the other shoe". Are the listed cards merely compatible with my MB or are they all Win10 compatible too?

If not, do you know which on the list have drivers for Win10?

Thanks.

P.S. I wish I knew this befor I purchased the incompatible card. I guess it will be my new paperweight 😞

[TheOldMan]

It is complicated but since the Radeon HD5450 1GB is on the list of supported cards, I wonder why that card does not work.  This might be a slap but are you saying with the PowerColor Radeon HD5450 1GB, nothing comes up on the screen?  In the other users comments about cards that did not work, there was still a HP splash screen that come on first.  Then it would stall.

Did you move the monitor lead to the PowerColor Radeon HD5450 1GB's output? Sorry, but something is not quite the same here form the common scenario.

[HPretiree2009]

 I see the Radeon HD 6450 on your list but I don't see the Radeon HD 5450 unless you have a different list?

Yes, I connected it to the monitor via my DVI cable (even tried a VGA cable). Both cables work on my original video card.

I followed all the steps of replacing a video card that I know of. I uninstalled the driver for the original video card under Win7 and shut down. I unplugged the power cord from the PC and waited for the led to go out. Detached the video cable replaced the card, connected the cable to the new card plugged in the power and powered the PC on after replacing the cabinet side panel and turning on the monitor. The monitor power goes on but no video, not even BIOS or login request. I could see the power was on for the PC. I waited, the power light on the monitor started going off and back on. No video, no beeps, nothing.

I reseated it and it still did not work. I then dug out a VGA cable and connected both ends (one to the monitor and one to the HD5450 card). The symptoms were exactly the same, no video. I even opened the case and pressed down on the card while turning on the power in case the seating was borderline.

I took the card to my wife's machine, a newer HP with an Intel i7 chipset. BTW, the system I have is an AMD FX 6100. It came up, I installed the drivers and the card worked fine so the card is good.

[TheOldMan]

In THIS THREAD, as similar motherboard to yours on the posted PC, and they said the GTX 660 worked.  The other site that I checked is THIS ONE.  It lists the the GeForce GTX 660 as working.

I do not understand not seeing the BIOS splash on this card.

[HPretiree2009]

Wow, now I'm really confused (not by you).

The second site you refer to refers to a 3rd site, http://www.pc-specs.com/mobo/HP/HP_M3970AM-HP_%28Angelica2%29/2042/Compatible_GPUs

At the 3rd site it actually lists the exact card I have (Radeon HD 5450 1024MB) as supported by my M3970AM (Angelica2) MB as well as having a Win10 driver. See bottom of screen shot I attached or visit the site.

I tried the HD5450 several more times, forming the slot filler end to try for better seating but it still displays nothing. I must admit, I have lost some hearing over the years and may or may not detect any beep code if there is one depending on the frequency.

I'm truly at a loss for why the card works in my wife's machine, sort of proving it's functional, but won't work in my machine???

I got another Video card from my neighbor, a Radeon HD 3450 512MB, and it booted up and PNP, it worked. Unfortunately it does not support Win10 so I'm back where I started.

[TheOldMan · Accepted solution]

Yes, I am confused as to why it does not work either.  Possibly try a Geforce 5** series or 6**  series card that also supports Windows 10.  The actual card that started is problem is not a terrific performer, so maybe a lower card in the Geforce 5** or 6** series will do.

[HPretiree2009]

I thank you for your input and help.

I goofed and sent in the UPC code from the box in order to get the rebate so I'm keeping the card since I can't return it now. I guess I learned another lesson! I'm always picking on my wife for putting things off and now I went too fast. I had the rebate form signed and the envelope stamped before the card even arrived, then stuck the UPC code in the envelope and poof it was gone  !

Considering what happened, I will purchase another inexpensive card that's Win10 compliant from a local store so I can hand it back to them if it doesn't work. I honestly feel it will work and the sad part is that I will probably never know why the HD 5450 wouldn't but I've certainly seen stranger things while working with computers over many years.

In my gut, I think it is a seating tolerance issue. It's just not seating correctly in this chassis.

Have a nice day and thanks again!

Oh, by the way, did I do something wrong or can you let me know why I don't see the screen shot I uploaded into my previous reply? I assume it was blocked so people can't upload viruses. Either that or I didn't do something correctly?

[TheOldMan]

As far as the screenshot - sometimes it takes awhile for them to show up.  I do not know why unless it has to be approved by someone, first.