Okay, so I've been trying since the end of July to get the Sims 2 to
work on my computer. First I had the wrong version (DVD instead of CD),
and then the new copy wouldn't work (missing DLL file, then missing DLL
function), and after I fixed all of that, it informed me, basically,
that my video card sucked and wouldn't be enough to power the game. So
I bought a new one. It got here yesterday; I cracked my computer open
and pulled the old card out, put the new one in, turned my monitor on,
and hit the power button on the computer.

Both things came on, but apparently weren't speaking to each other. The
computer and keyboard were going through their usual array of blinking
lights, but nothing was showing up on the monitor, even though the
power light was on. I started wigging out, and was incredibly
frustrated because nothing about this game has worked on the first try.
In hindsight, I should have calmed down and looked at things
rationally. Instead, I opened the computer again, proceeded to fiddle
around with trying both the old video card and the new one again, and
somewhere in there put the new one back in and hit the power button on
the computer to see if anything had changed. It started up, at least,
but I was putting the screw that holds the card in place in the slot on
the back (while the computer was on), and when I started trying things
like unplugging the power strip and the power cord for the computer out
of frustration, when everything was settled again it wouldn't start at
all. The only response was a sort of feeble twitch from the CPU fan and
the additional fan I put in.

Did I do something to my computer by messing around in it (even just to
put a screw back in) while the power was on? I've never been
tremendously paranoid about things like static while I'm working on my
computer, but I don't really see how I could have zapped anything when
I didn't touch the actual card while the computer was on, just the
metal part that fits in the slot. Am I wrong? Have I completely fried
everything? I really need help with this; half my life is on my
computer, and I don't have devices for backing things up (other than
floppies and CDs), so I don't really have anything saved other than on
the computer.

Other things of note about the situation: I run Windows 98, and I was
looking at the manual for the new video card, which said under the
system requirements that it needed Windows 2000/Windows XP. Is that
maybe why it wasn't speaking to the monitor initially? Although that
doesn't explain why the old one wouldn't either, afterwards... Also, I
built my computer myself, about four years ago. I used mainly parts
gotten through Pricewatch.com, which is also where I got the new video
card. The new card was supposedly a GeForce 4 card, but the box looks
like some no-name brand (but I did spot "nVidia" on the card itself),
and the card has this decorative-looking thing of the logo on the box
(MSI), in gold plastic, sort of repeated back across the card at an
angle. I don't know what purpose it serves.

Thanks in advance. I hope someone can help me.

dmwingon@gmail.com wrote:
With the power off, check every lead in the computer to see they are
connected properly, and check the video card is seated properly.

You sent this message, so you have some sort of net access - search for
your card on the internet and check if it is compatible with your other
components / operating system.

Does the PC work with the old card back in?

Hard to tell if you did any damage, maybe the motherboard and/or
processor, but you'd be unlucky if you had.

Anyone you know with a computer who could test out your PC parts to see
what works and what doesn't?

If the worst comes to the worst, it's an opportunity to upgrade some
components - I know this is no consolation for you right now though..

<dmwingon@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1124476893.394126.157910@z14g2000cwz.googlegr oups.com...

More than likely your PowerSupplyUnit is failing or has failed. The new vid card
may have drawn more current than your PSU could handle.If you can disconnect
your extra cd drives, etc, see if you can get it to boot up with your old vid
card.
Or, reset theBIOS. Look in your motherboard manual or online how to do this for
your motherboard. Usually you short a set of contacts but you can always remove
the mb battery for an hour or so to do it.
Since you built this PC, I'm sure you know how to reset (clear) the BIOS and
what the BIOS settings are supposed to be.
You most likely did NOT hurt the new video card.
But touching the metal contacts on the vid card is where you can cause the most
damage with static electricity.
Since the other vid card doesn't work either, the new card is most likely fine.
When you said it 'worked' and then you tried putting the screw in while it was
running, did you mean it booted into Windows, or what?
Other things to try:
Some AGP vid cards are hard to seat fully. Look carefully at it and make sure it
is seated. Some force maybe required. Be Careful!!!
Remove and reseat the ram.
Disconnect and reconnect all connections.
Make sure the voltage switch on the back of the PSU is in the correct position
(115v-230v)
A different PSU.
An old PCI vid card.
A different monitor.
PS: What is the model number of the vid card you bought?

aleX -- I've disconnected and reconnected everything several times now.
It doesn't seem to make much difference. According to the "Quick
Installation Guide" that came with the card, it should work just fine
on my system, assuming the thing that I mentioned in the full manual
about it only working on Windows 2000/XP is a misprint or something.
And no, it doesn't work with the old card in. If I did cause damage,
would it *just* be the motherboard and/or CPU? I can try to borrow some
time on a friend's computer, I suppose, to see what's working. Thanks
for the help.

Buffalo nospam -- I tried what you suggested, and disconnected my CD
drive and floppy drive, as well as the additional fan I have in there.
It still didn't work. How would I go about a) seeing if the PSU is
actually dead, and b) getting and installing a new one? Also, I don't
actually know how to clear the BIOS, and the motherboard manual was
unhelpful. I did try taking the battery out for about an hour; still
nothing, other than the CPU fan twitching a bit.

When I said that the computer "worked", I meant that the power came on.
I'll have to assume that it booted into Windows, but I couldn't see
anything because at that point it wasn't communicating with the
monitor.

I tried the other things you suggested, with the RAM, and reseating the
video card, and checking the voltage switch. However, I don't have
another PSU, or an older card (other than the one I'm attempting to
replace), and I don't think the monitor has a problem.

I'm not sure where the model number is, but the entire name of the
card, in the receipt e-mail to me, was "VID CARD Msi mx4000 64mb MSI
NVIDIA GF4 MX4000 64MB-6ns AGP 4X/8X TV OUT RETAIL". I'm going to
e-mail them now, because I still don't think they sent the right thing.
There's no mention of GeForce 4 anything on the box.

Thanks for your help.

dmwingon@gmail.com, <dmwingon@gmail.com>, the timid, damp frat house, and
dealer in brooms, cooked up:

Do you have an axe or a loaded 12-gauge shotgun handy?

--
Doug Grant <DGVREIMAN@COMCAST.NET> wrote:

DarkMoon wrote:
Could be your monitor..

Buffalo mentions your power supply, they can go wrong too, could be that.
You have 3 options as I see it:

1) Take it to a repair guy and be prepared to pay for his time and any
replaced parts.
2) Find someone you know with a computer who can test your components,
i.e. power supply, monitor, graphics card, motherboard, hard drive
3) Start buying new parts until it starts working. This may be
expensive, and perhaps even unnecessary. Option 2 is best if possible.

Good luck.