Argh! hardware emergency - recommendations required...

[_gl]

No, it was an ATI sample device I've had for a year and half or so. I would of hassled my ATI contact over it - but he left resigned from ATI recently.

Same thing happened to me a while back with an ATI sample (a 9700 Pro). On that one the power supply connector pins weren't soldered properly, it worked for a while but then gradually fell apart. They probably give out the bad samples to developers (nice).

BTW I hear you, I've just had a few months of hell with one thing after another failing (mobo, HD with a few weeks of work not backed up, then the backup HD). It did gave me an excuse to switch to an E4300 Core2 (OC'ed on a cheap Asrock 4coredual-vsta, also still using AGP).

[_gl]

It was looking like a reinstall to get everything working again, so I've opted to try a clean install on Vista. After a half day with it, I must admit I quite like it (though that maybe the new 24" Dell LCD I plugged in for the first time when I installed ).

I'm still working on getting the development tools all working so I can build GB-PVR etc.

Lol, I've also just installed Vista, been configuring it for about 3 days now. Finally able to build on it. I'm having a few driver problems, especially the Nvidia drivers are flakey as hell (non-Aero corruption, Explorer frequently corrupting itself in Aero). On the whole it's quite nice though, including little tweaks like finally being able to display >4GB copy/move filesizes (can you believe they never fixed that for XP?)

Enjoy the LCD Sub, so much easier on the eyes.

[jim08127]

I am still getting used to Vista, the interface is pretty but sometimes it seems to go to lunch before responding.

SolarCurve...Dual G Ethernet? Is that an add on card or on your mobo?

[GoodGuys]

Don't know if you've bought a new mobo already, but I opt for ASUS any day over anything else.

GGF

[dljones8053]

I use a 430 watt Antec earthwatts power supply they are great and a 80mm low noise cooling fan very quite you have to be on top of it to heard the fan.

http://www.antec.com/ec/pro_p_EarthWatts.html

[dljones8053]

Oh I agree, I was just telling those that wants a very low noise PSU for there HTPC setting in the same area as there TV, I found this to be one of the best for that very reason, I hate a loud noisey fan when I try to watch a show
...

cheers

[Joe003m2]

Before retiring your board or cpu you may want to try this, it has saved me before!
on the motherboard there is a cmos clear jumper (see MoBo manual) move the jumper to the clear position disconnect cable from wall to main power unit and press the power button everything should flash from residual power draining from capacitors on board. leave it unpluged and off while you disconnect ALL excessories (TV tuner, usb stuff, eveything but mouse keyboard and graphics card) leave for 15-20 min. then leaving jumper in clear pos restore power and try to turn it on! If it doesn't work sorry to get your hopes up, but it really has work out well for me in the past.

[peterh]

You'll need to put the jumper back to 'normal' position; most boards won't start with jumper in 'clear' position

[SFX Group]

Hi (as a computer engineer).

This sounds like PSU shafted AGP card when then charfted the AGP port.

Carful, ive had this, that PSU might do it again, i would replace it with a SEASONIC (they have 3 year warranty).

If the AGP card had the power to destroy the monitor then it didnt do anythning good, although this might have been the monitor put an over voltage through to the AGP card which then backed through to the board, if so then the PSU will be fine.

Many Thanks
Ashley