Mad Dog Nvidia fx 5200 Junk?

R

rars222

New Member
I am just wondering if anyone has any experience with Mad Dog Multimedia? I purchased their Nvidia FX5200 card from CompUSA just after Thanksgiving.

I was building a system and thought the Mobo had onboard graphics (wsa going to upgrade later). To my dismay, I overlooked that little fact. Anyways...

After using the card for about 3 wks...I had the panel off and was just cleaning up some cables (hiding power and whatnot). I put the panel back on and restarted.

I then installed a Tetris game...that's when all hell broke loose. I restarted and when I went to use the computer, the monitor blinked on and off and then went blank and I smelled something burning.

I immediately unplugged the computer..thinking I fried the mobo! At any rate, I started with the easiest fixes first. Thankfully, when I replaced the video card with another (Nvidia 64 mb), it started right up.

So I determined the card burned up. I called Mad Dog (they offer lifetime warranty) and they RMA'd me a new one. Got is a week later and installed it and guess what? NOTHIN!

Again, I did my old card test and the computer fired right up. I called again and they RMA'd another one. A week later I get it and install it...and guess what? Now I get colorful vertical bars on the screen and no boot.

So I decide to try it in another system and it seems to start to boot, but the boot fails.

So it seems like these things are junk out of the box. Any suggestions?

I am thinking of just getting something else. I don't do any heavy gaming...Medal of Honor occasionally. I just want a good all around card. I've had it with Mad Dog! :mad:
 
At some point though, I'd like to actually use the computer. I am ready to cut my losses and get something that works. It's obvious they have problems with build quality.
 
whats your budget for a new card


btw get a new card from maddog and sell it on ebay so you can get of your funds back or sell it to someone you know that doesnt know much about computers.
 
I planned on it...if I can get one that works! I would say up to $200. I really didn't want to spend anything at all, but I totally overlooked the mobo and integrated graphics. I'm over it though:)

I built a decent machine:
Intel 3.0 800 fsb with HT
Intel 865 PERL mobo
seagate barracuda 120 gb
512 mb
Wind 2000
Chenming case w/ Antec 400 Smartpower

and a brand new Sony Ultrabrite 17" LCD still in the box waiting for a working video card.
 
Again, I did my old card test and the computer fired right up. I called again and they RMA'd another one. A week later I get it and install it...and guess what? Now I get colorful vertical bars on the screen and no boot.
Click to expand...
Did the AGP specs match up?
 
Are you referring to 4x/8x?

Yes - although now that I think about it, I am not sure about secondary system I tested it in. That may be 4x AGP. That would prob explain the boot failure error message.

Could all of these cards really be junk? I think they are sending me refurbs and I don't think they are in any anti-static bag. It looks to be a plain plastic bag??
 
I don't think they are in any anti-static bag
Click to expand...
Even if they arent, its usually not a big deal (or as big as it used to be)

It looks to be a plain plastic bag??
Click to expand...
They sometimes do


As for the "AGP specs" matching up ... not all AGP cards will work in AGP slots (i.e., not all AGP8X cards will work in AGP8X-capable slots .... the voltage has to match up too)
 
Interesting. So where would I get that information then? The little tech support guys seemed all to eager to send me new cards...
 
I don't know what Intel does in the bios but try checking for an AGP/video related setting that might be buggering things up with the newer 8x cards
 
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