Member Avatar for Catalana

When I try to install my 3dfx video card to update my video, I get three strange beeps on power up and the monitor doesn´t respond. When I remove it and put back in the old card, it works fine. Can somebody help?

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Dani AI

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Three short beeps at power-up are a POST (power‑on self‑test) signal — what they mean depends on the BIOS vendor. On AMI-style BIOSes three beeps commonly point to a base‑memory read/write error; Award/Phoenix patterns use different groupings (for example, Award lists a long+three short pattern for a video/RAM problem). Identifying the motherboard BIOS type and checking its POST/beep code list is the first step before drawing conclusions. (en.wikipedia.org)

Useful, non-redundant isolation steps that weren’t covered above: test system memory one stick at a time (bad RAM can suppress video), confirm whether the machine POSTs with another known‑good video card, and — conversely — try the suspect 3dfx card in a second working PC to see if it behaves the same. If the card works elsewhere the issue is almost certainly the original motherboard/BIOS or power subsystem; if it fails elsewhere the card is likely defective. Also check the motherboard vendor support notes and BIOS changelog — older boards often received AGP/graphics compatibility fixes in BIOS updates. (blog.silverpc.hu)

A specific compatibility caution for vintage 3dfx/AGP hardware: AGP signaling voltages and keying changed across the standard (AGP 1.0 = 3.3V, AGP 2.0 = 1.5V, etc.), so some older 3dfx AGP cards will not work in newer 1.5V‑only slots (and improper combinations were known to cause complete lack of video or damage). Verify the exact card model and the motherboard AGP type before assuming the card should work. (en.wikipedia.org)

For a clean diagnostic record (helps when consulting manuals or other posters like ): note motherboard make/model and BIOS vendor+version, exact video card PCB/part number, slot type (AGP/PCI and keying), PSU model/wattage, and the exact POST beep pattern (timing and repetition). That data makes matching the symptom to known fixes (or documented motherboard quirks) much faster.

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Member Avatar for mdbillus

I am getting same problem with my EVGA Nvidia Geforce FX 5200 ultra....no monitor responce when drivers installed

Member Avatar for Coconut Monkey

I am getting same problem with my EVGA Nvidia Geforce FX 5200 ultra....no monitor responce when drivers installed

Please create a new thread for your troubles mdbillus (if you haven't already). I do believe your problem is significantly different to warrant a separate discussion (but you should still have your own topic regardless).

Back to the question at hand, what system do you have there Catalana? I'm more interested in the type of 3dfx card and your video card, but any additional information helps.

From what you've said, I assume you have a 3dfx addon card, which is either a Voodoo 1 or 2 chipset based model. Remember that the Voodoo can only do 3D operations, so in addition to plugging the monitor into the 3dfx card, you must connect the 3dfx and your main video card (which will perform 2D tasks) together with the supplied pass-through cable.

Member Avatar for mdbillus

Please create a new thread for your troubles mdbillus (if you haven't already). I do believe your problem is significantly different to warrant a separate discussion (but you should still have your own topic regardless).

Yes I have, but its great that mine has been there and no one says a word...I guess no one REALLY helps each other on the hard problems.

Member Avatar for zeroth

try re-seating the cards in your computer

Member Avatar for Catalana

well...thanks, zeroth...but this problem was solved years ago. I guess I should have marked it solved.

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