"system failed vga test"

gazza241

New Member
hi there,

I have just built a computer from scratch and when i go to boot up i get the error "system failed vga test". I have:

ASUS A8V-E Deluxe mobo
Geforce 6600GT graphics card
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ processor

I was wondering if anyone else ad had the same problem or knew of anything that i may have missed while setting up. The GeFoce 6600GT fits into a PCI-Express slot which is present on the above mentioned mobo. As a final note the power supply i have does have a cable labelled PCI-E but i can not find anywhere that is plugs into on the motherboard.

Please send any ideas you may have, Thanks!!
 
Hiya,

Firstly, is the "system failed vga test" error an on-scrren message, or is it via a BIOS error, ie a series of beeps. What I'm basically asking is if the message is on-screen, then the card is basically working and we can go from there. However, if its a BIOS error message, then its more likely to be something like the graphics card is not in the slot properly, or faulty.

The power-supply lavbelled PCI-E is probably meant for plugging into the actual graphics card if its requires an external power source. I know the 6800's require an external power, but not sure personally if the 6600FT requires one - maybe some one else can confirm that point.
 
ok maverick,

the "system failed vga test" comes up as soon as i start, i am unable to get to the BIOS at all, and it is a computer voice that says "system failed vga test".

and thnx cromwell that helps a bit, eliminates a possible problem!!
 
OK, that means its the BIOS error - the computer voice is the replacement for the older "beep" bios errors. Means there's something wrong with the video card initiation, so rules out a "wrong configuration in BIOS" or something problem. Have you tried re-seating it a few times, or alternatively borrowing someone elses PCI-E card and seeing if that works in order to eliminate a problem with the MoBo? Could also be a faulty video card, but try the above before asking for a replacement.
 
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OK, i have tried re-planting the card a few times and it makes no difference.

Also i have tried an older PCI card in one of the three PCI slots and that worked fine, i got a BIOS screen and formatted my hard drive and so on, but i have not tried one in the PCI-E slot as i dont know anyone with one. I will have a look around and see if there is anyone with a PCI-E graphics card that i can borrow.

I bought this card on the internet, and am now wondering if i am better off getting a 6800 instead as they seem to be more mainstream from what i have seen.

But it is sorta hard as i only just moved back to the UK from Australia a month ago.
 
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