Member Avatar for GerryD

Hi all any advise would be appreciated, I upgraded my Gateway 524GB Desktop some time ago with a PNY Nvidia GeForce 7400GS 128MB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 4X/8X Video Card for better performance. But it appears knackered so I'm getting a new one, the problem is I can't use the in-built graphics in the meantime any ideas.:?:

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Following 's report and the replies from and , here are a few practical diagnostics and safe work steps that weren't listed above. The aim is to isolate whether the GPU itself, the AGP slot/motherboard, or the power delivery is failing, and to offer a reliable short-term workaround until a replacement is fitted.

Workflow (step‑by‑step)

  • Power down and unplug, then ground yourself before touching components.
  • Remove the AGP card and inspect it closely for bulging or leaking capacitors, burn marks, loose heatsink, or cracked solder joints. Smell can reveal burned components.
  • Clean the card’s gold edge with a soft pencil eraser, then wipe with high‑purity isopropyl alcohol and let it dry completely before testing.
  • Test the card in a known‑good AGP system, or test a known‑good video card in the Gateway. That decisively separates card vs. slot/motherboard faults.
  • Check PSU rail stability with a simple PSU tester or multimeter (12V/5V tolerance under load). Unstable rails produce erratic video behavior similar to GPU faults. If the board provides POST LEDs or you can use a POST-code card, record the code — it narrows down the failing subsystem.

Short‑term fixes and cautions

  • A low-cost PCI VGA card often works as a temporary display adapter on older desktops, giving full BIOS/OS access until the AGP card is replaced.
  • Do not run stress tests on a card already showing visual corruption; further testing can cause additional damage.
  • If inspection shows damaged capacitors or burnt components on the card, repair is usually uneconomic — replacement is the pragmatic route.
    These steps complement the earlier suggestions and help pinpoint whether the GPU, the slot, or the PSU is the root cause.

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Member Avatar for Rik_

When you say "it appears knackered", what exactly do you mean? Does it no longer work or does it malfunction?
Did you upgrade your power supply when you fitted that card? It's a fairly power hungry card and the standard Gateway power supply is only just powerful enough to power the machine without any upgrades.

Member Avatar for GerryD

Power supply has been replaced RAM has been checked AOK, started getting chequered boxes on screen, next after a while it started freezing. Now I get black screen full of zeros, on checking various forums problem is pointing at the graphics card.

Member Avatar for Rik_

Sounds like it has had it from that description. What make and wattage is the replacement power supply?

Try resetting the cmos by removing the CR2032 battery for a few minutes with the power unplugged. You will have to re-set the clock and the boot order but it should get the built-in graphics working.

Member Avatar for BBAD

Try enabling the onboard one in the BIOS, but remove the faulty one as some Boards will disable the onboard one, when you add, an addon one.

Please provide the model number of the PC, not just, it's a Gateway.

Edited by BBAD because: n/a
Member Avatar for GerryD

Sorry Bal should've said it's a Gateway 524GB, anyway decided to splash out on the new Graphics card cooking with gas again. Thanks for the advise I'll keep it in mind in the event things go pear shape again.

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