Blank monitor--should I clear CMOS before returning graphics card?

C E Jones · 09-18-2009, 03:10 PM

3 days ago the monitor on my computer went blank and I haven't been able to fix it. I had turned off the monitor for 15 minutes, and when I turned it back on it stayed blank, and hasn't come back to life since. I've tried another monitor, switched cables (both VGA and HDMI), re-seated the graphics card, tried rebooting, hard resetting. I also tried booting from a Windows disk. I know the computer is still running because if I load a music CD it automatically plays it. Just no picture, so I can't do any troubleshooting.

At this point I'm pretty sure my graphics card died, even though I bought it brand new 4 months ago and had never had a problem with it. I've already gotten an RMA number from Sapphire, but my question is:

Before I ship away the card, should I try clearing CMOS first? I've heard this can work sometimes, but I can't see how it could be a BIOS thing, as I hadn't messed with the BIOS in over a month. What would be the side-effects of clearing CMOS? Also, is there anything else I can try before returning the card? I'd rather not have to wait 3 weeks before getting the new card shipped

Thanks in advance for any tips.

specs:

Mobo: Gigabyte EP43-UD3L
Graphics card: Sapphire Radeon HD 4670
OS Win 7

ebackhus · 09-18-2009, 04:15 PM

Is the BIOS set to recognize the card in the slot you have it in?

C E Jones · 09-18-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebackhus

Is the BIOS set to recognize the card in the slot you have it in?

Thanks for your reply.

It certainly was during the 4 months it was working. I was wondering whether it would be possible for that BIOS setting to somehow change while I was in the middle of using the computer, running Windows. The reason I was asking about clearing CMOS is that I thought maybe the card slot somehow switched from PCI Express (the correct one) to PCI. Could something like that happen without my making the change in BIOS? If not than it is set to recognize the right slot.

I just cleared the CMOS, which had not effect. I think I'll be taking the graphics card to the post office in the next couple hours

Nexxtech · 09-18-2009, 04:44 PM

If you have access to another PCI Express card I would want to try this first. Thus ruling out a PSU or Motherboard issue. Best of luck.

C E Jones · 09-18-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexxtech

If you have access to another PCI Express card I would want to try this first. Thus ruling out a PSU or Motherboard issue. Best of luck.

Thanks but unfortunately I don't have another graphics card. So I'll have to wait till I get this one back and if the new one doesn't fix the problem than I'll know it's either mobo or PSU.

Mason29 · 10-14-2009, 01:17 PM

Any luck? Im experiencing the same type of problem :)

09-18-2009, 03:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
C E Jones Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9 OS: Windows 7 RC	Blank monitor--should I clear CMOS before returning graphics card? 3 days ago the monitor on my computer went blank and I haven't been able to fix it. I had turned off the monitor for 15 minutes, and when I turned it back on it stayed blank, and hasn't come back to life since. I've tried another monitor, switched cables (both VGA and HDMI), re-seated the graphics card, tried rebooting, hard resetting. I also tried booting from a Windows disk. I know the computer is still running because if I load a music CD it automatically plays it. Just no picture, so I can't do any troubleshooting. At this point I'm pretty sure my graphics card died, even though I bought it brand new 4 months ago and had never had a problem with it. I've already gotten an RMA number from Sapphire, but my question is: Before I ship away the card, should I try clearing CMOS first? I've heard this can work sometimes, but I can't see how it could be a BIOS thing, as I hadn't messed with the BIOS in over a month. What would be the side-effects of clearing CMOS? Also, is there anything else I can try before returning the card? I'd rather not have to wait 3 weeks before getting the new card shipped Thanks in advance for any tips. specs: Mobo: Gigabyte EP43-UD3L Graphics card: Sapphire Radeon HD 4670 OS Win 7

09-18-2009, 04:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,275 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Blank monitor--should I clear CMOS before returning graphics card? Is the BIOS set to recognize the card in the slot you have it in? __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

09-18-2009, 04:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Nexxtech Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 481 OS: XP Pro SP3 / Windows 7	Re: Blank monitor--should I clear CMOS before returning graphics card? If you have access to another PCI Express card I would want to try this first. Thus ruling out a PSU or Motherboard issue. Best of luck.

10-14-2009, 01:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mason29 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 42 OS: Windows XP Home Edition SP3	Re: Blank monitor--should I clear CMOS before returning graphics card? Any luck? Im experiencing the same type of problem :)