Member Avatar for BrokenUser

I have an Nvidia GS 7300 graphics card. I opened my computer to add a new part to it, but it didn't fit. Then when I booted the computer up, the colors were all different. I checked, and I had lost all of my red colors (couldn't display any red). When I took the video card out, I saw that one of my pins were broken clean right off. I was wondering if it was possible to repair the pin on my video card? Or any recommendations of new, low priced video cards. I also tried to provide pictures to show you what i mean (sorry if they are low quality, I used my phone camera) My VGA cable connects on top of these pins


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A snapped contact on the card’s analog header explains the complete loss of red. On a standard DE-15 (VGA) connector pins 1–3 carry red, green and blue (left-to-right across the top row when facing the socket). The symptom reported by — total absence of red — is exactly the expected result when the red pin is open. The later photos show the damage is on the video card’s VGA header rather than on the cable.

Non‑destructive checks before any attempt to fix: confirm the monitor and cable on another system and try a known‑good VGA lead; inspect the plastic shroud and remove any loose metal fragments using non‑conductive tools with the card removed; use a multimeter in continuity mode to trace the broken signal to its solder pad or nearby test point so the exact contact location is known. Also verify whether the card has a DVI output and whether it is DVI‑I (analogue present) or DVI‑D (digital only) — a DVI‑I plug has four small pins clustered around the flat blade; if analogue is present a passive adapter will restore a VGA hookup without repairing the header (as pointed out).

Repair options and cautions: the cleanest permanent repair is socket replacement (desolder the old DE‑15 and fit a new one). Another reliable approach is to reestablish the broken contact by soldering a very fine insulated jumper (30–36 AWG) from the correct pad to a short pigtail on the connector and securing it mechanically with epoxy. Both require ESD precautions, a fine‑tip iron, flux, magnification and steady hands — skills noted by . Improvised metal shims or nails (suggested by ) risk shorts and permanent damage and are not recommended.

If replacement is preferred, confirmation of interface type (AGP vs PCI‑Express), available power, bracket and card length is essential before purchase. Clear photos that show the broken pin and which side of the port is affected (top‑row left = pin 1) will speed diagnosis or a repair quote.

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Member Avatar for Tropp

If you are very good at soldering, you could try soldering that, but I don't like the odds of success.

If you replace the card nothing wrong with the 7300 GS as budget card.
If you want something a bit better, the 8600 GT is a good mid range.

Member Avatar for caperjack

I have an Nvidia GS 7300 graphics card. I opened my computer to add a new part to it, but it didn't fit. Then when I booted the computer up, the colors were all different. I checked, and I had lost all of my red colors (couldn't display any red). When I took the video card out, I saw that one of my pins were broken clean right off. I was wondering if it was possible to repair the pin on my video card? Or any recommendations of new, low priced video cards. I also tried to provide pictures to show you what i mean (sorry if they are low quality, I used my phone camera) My VGA cable connects on top of these pins


not very good pictures,trying to figure out if the set of pins with the broken one are on the video card or on the motherboard .a lot of times sets of pins like that are intentionally mission a pin.did you find the broken off pin!what plugs into that set of pins,also what new part did you open the case to but in and it did not fit !???

Member Avatar for BrokenUser

Sorry for the bad pictures. I used a quick cell phone camera (not a good idea). The pins that are broken are on the video card itself. Normally there is this wire-like thing that goes on top of it, but somehow that thing fell off when I was plugged in my video card or something, and broke the pin. To show you what I'm talking about, here is a pretty bad/simple picture of what I mean.

Red indicated the broken pin.

Member Avatar for bobbyraw

is this on the motherboard?
here is a suggestion, get a nail ( very small headless) cut to a size a little taller than the pin, and make sure it can fit snugg, the connect the monitor cable, works for me before until i had to get a new video card

Member Avatar for caperjack

Sorry for the bad pictures. I used a quick cell phone camera (not a good idea). The pins that are broken are on the video card itself. Normally there is this wire-like thing that goes on top of it, but somehow that thing fell off when I was plugged in my video card or something, and broke the pin. To show you what I'm talking about, here is a pretty bad/simple picture of what I mean.

Red indicated the broken pin.

if that picture is of your video card then where it says vga is where you plug you monitor in and the card fits into either a pci or agp slot on the mother board .

i dont see any pins on you card ,
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2006/01/19/nvidia_7300_gs/1

Member Avatar for BrokenUser

Well to be specific about the video card I'm using, I'm using a Axle Geforce 7 series 7300GS video card, which would explain why it looks different than the picture you provided.

http://xs322.xs.to/xs322/07525/111.PNG
Thats what my video card looks like. The pins are under this little black piece thing which protects them. But apparently it is fairly loose and doesn't stick on too well.

Member Avatar for caperjack

Well to be specific about the video card I'm using, I'm using a Axle Geforce 7 series 7300GS video card, which would explain why it looks different than the picture you provided.

http://xs322.xs.to/xs322/07525/111.PNG
Thats what my video card looks like. The pins are under this little black piece thing which protects them. But apparently it is fairly loose and doesn't stick on too well.

ok,thats better ,i see how it works now .if you cant fix it you can buy an adapter to go from the blue avg to the dvi connection .

Member Avatar for BrokenUser

How would one go about fixing the pin?

Member Avatar for bobbyraw

you might not be able to fix it unless you are very skill with soldering and you have the broken pin, i suggest you got for a DVI/VGA adapter. if you apply heat to the card who kow hat else might not work

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