Nevdawg88

Hey all,

I have posted this on evga forums, asus forums, and nvidia with not much help. So I have been having this issue for a month or two and neither I, nor a tech center, could figure out what the problem is. So basically, every time I restart the computer or just turn it on again after it is off, it is like the monitor can't find the display signal. It is just a blank screen, the fans and everything are still runnin, but I don't see anything. So then I have to do a hard shut down, switch the power supply off until the green light on the mobo turns off, then turn it back on. Then, when I turn the computer back on, the display works. However, I do get a message saying something like "POST failed..." with two options, one to continue, and the other to enter the BIOS. If I continue, everything is fine, windows is fine, and everything works as it should. If I enter the BIOS and either change somethin or not then reset, I have to go through the process over again. Nothing is overclocked and the system is only 3 months old. The system did work fine for the first month about. According to some people it could be the GPU. Here are the steps I have taken to troubleshoot the problem:

1. Replaced the power supply (upgraded to 900W), didn't do anything.

2. RMA'ed mobo, even though I think they just tested the one I sent and sent the same one back, i think? After I got it back, it actually worked fine for a day, then started doing it again.

3. Ran a hard-drive diagnostic test, passed.

4. Reseated everything (obviously after I got the mobo back).

5. Took it to a PC repair center, they said they are not too sure, but maybe the GPU? However, after I actually get into windows, I can run any game flawlessly.

6. Tried changing the memory voltage/timings in BIOS to what it says on OCZ's site. Also made sure the primary boot drive is the OS one.

7. Did a full uninstall of the NVIDIA display drivers with driver sweeper too, and reinstalled new ones.

8. I did try something that made it work but I am not sure if it actually shows the solution. I put in a different older graphics card that I had that doesnt require any power connectors, and it seemed to work fine, so I am guessing that would narrow it down to the mobo, gpu, or power supply, and since i already replaced the psu and the mobo once (although i think asus just tested mine and sent it back?), then would it be the gpu? not too sure

9. I am steppin up to a gtx 295 soon so Ill def know if its the gpu or not anyways, but it still would be nice to know what the problem is.

So far these are all of the steps I have taken to figure out the problem but none of them changed the problem at all (except for the 1 day when I got the mobo back, then started again after that day). I was thinking my next two steps would be to RMA the mobo again and tell them I want a new one, and maybe RMA the GPU. This problem has been a real annoyance and if anyone could help me figure this problem out, it would be greatly appreciated. Here are my system specs:

I have already sent in my gtx 280 for a step to the gtx 295, but I just want to see if that would even make the problem go away (hence it was the card), and if anyone knows what is actually causing it.

-Windows Vista Business 64bit SP1
-OCZ Reaper HPC Edition ddr2 800 4gb (2x2) @ 2.1v, 4-4-4-15 (tried 2.25v, same problem)
-EVGA GTX 280 (stock)
-Intel q9550 E0 stepping (stock)
-Asus P5N-D LGA 775 nForce 750i SLI ATX (0801 bios)
-WD 150gb velociraptor (primary)
-ABS Tagan BZ series 900W (+12V@64A(6 Rails))
-Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium
-Thermaltake Armor+ Full Tower Case
-Blue Orb II cpu cooler
-NZXT SEN-001LX Controller Panel

wrench97

I'm thinking a motherboard issue, It may be that Asus straightened or repaired the pins in the PCIe slot do you ever try using the second slot?
But it also could be a video card problem because the second one worked.