Member Avatar for rundavo

Hello, I am new and appreciate being here:

I Purchased a brand new ATI HD4350. The machine I am putting it in will not boot when It is inserted. (running XP Pro service pack 3) The machine is a IBM Thinkcentre Model M51 #8141. I was wondering if the card is not compatible as it claims it is DDR2, yet the board memory is plain DDR.

Thank you in advance

rundavo

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Brief, practical add-on to the replies from and with concrete checks and next steps.

Start with a clean baseline. Remove the new card and confirm the machine posts and reaches BIOS/POST normally. If that works, reseat RAM and run with the minimum (one module) to rule out marginal memory seating. Note the BIOS version while at it; an update from IBM/Lenovo support can fix odd compatibility issues on older boards.

Hardware-focused checklist:

  1. Inspect the card and slot — ensure the card is fully seated in the PCIe x16 slot, no metal standoffs or case contact is shorting it, and the video connector used on the monitor is attached to the card (not the motherboard).
  2. Confirm power connectors — identify whether the card needs an auxiliary PCIe power lead or is bus-powered, and whether the supply has the correct connector.
  3. Minimal-boot test — disconnect nonessential drives and expansion cards, then power on with only CPU, one RAM stick, and the GPU installed to see if POST changes.
  4. Swap-test the PSU or GPU — if available, try a known-good PSU in the machine or test the card in another known-good PC. This isolates whether the issue is the supply, the card, or the motherboard.
  5. Listen for POST/beep codes and watch motherboard LEDs — they often point to power, memory, or GPU initialization failures.

Other notes and cautions: check case form factor (some small-form machines need low-profile cards or bracket changes). If BIOS has a "Primary Display" option, set it to PCIe. Do not assume drivers are the cause when the board fails to POST — driver problems only appear after Windows starts.

If the card passes in another PC but still prevents POST here, the fault is likely power or motherboard compatibility; if it fails elsewhere, request an RMA or replacement.

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Member Avatar for Xlphos

Hello, I am new and appreciate being here:

I Purchased a brand new ATI HD4350. The machine I am putting it in will not boot when It is inserted. (running XP Pro service pack 3) The machine is a IBM Thinkcentre Model M51 #8141. I was wondering if the card is not compatible as it claims it is DDR2, yet the board memory is plain DDR.

Thank you in advance

rundavo

The memory speed is for the graphics card it doesn't matter that the RAM speed is DDR.

When you say the system won't boot up do you mean the computer turns on but won't load windows?

You did remember to switch the monitor over to the new card?

Member Avatar for rundavo

The memory speed is for the graphics card it doesn't matter that the RAM speed is DDR.

When you say the system won't boot up do you mean the computer turns on but won't load windows?

You did remember to switch the monitor over to the new card?

The system will not boot with the card in at all. It just turns on. I did some more research and the card requires a 400 Watt power supply of which I only have 310. Also I am suppose to have at least 1GB RAM, so I need to get more as I only have 512mb. So perhaps it is one or both issues?

Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time..
Dave

Member Avatar for Xlphos

I think it would still work with less RAM. A better PSU may solve the problem.

If you have a graphics card like that it would be worth investing in more ram anyway. I assume you use your pc for more than word processing and web browsing.

Member Avatar for rundavo

I think it would still work with less RAM. A better PSU may solve the problem.

If you have a graphics card like that it would be worth investing in more ram anyway. I assume you use your pc for more than word processing and web browsing.

I will upgrade the memory and give it another try, and will let all know whether this does the trick. I still am concerned with the power supply being to low though.

Yes, I am trying to configure this machine to be the central point to our LCD TV. If I can get the digital connection going, then I will get a TV tuner for this machine.

Thank You!
Dave

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