Squeaking Graphics Card?

[chesh]

Hey guys. I just got a couple of MSI GeForce4 Ti4200's the other day and installed them in my computers. One of them works great and I'm very happy with it. The other seems to make a high-pitched squeeling sound when the screen is idle. Funny enough, when a game is running or there's other graphic movement on the screen, the comp is completely silent.

Have any of you experienced this? It really sucks and I'm not sure how to fix it. The only stuff I can find online about this involves the hard drive and I'm sure that isn't the problem. If anyone knows what's going on I'd appreciate the help.

[SileNceR]

it's definately the card?

I can't think of anything on the cards other than the fan that oscillate or similar; unless the fan is thermally controlled - in that case you might want to try just giving the fan solid 12v instead of the thermal control.

[zubaz]

or since you just got it the other day, take it back and exchange it for another...

[chesh]

Easier said than done. I got it online.

[SileNceR]

stick it down your phone line! :rolleyes:

did you try what i suggested?

[chesh]

I'm not sure how to. I don't even know if the fan is thermally controlled. I'm really not sure if the squeaking is from the fan. However, the sound started immediately after I installed it so...

[SileNceR]

try sticking something into the fan before turning the pc on (a pen or something) to stop it spinning; switch it on briefly and if it doesnt make the noise you know that's the problem

don't run it like that for too long tho, while the GPU won't make much heat thru normal usage, the fan IS there for a reason. (just remove the pen ;))

[chesh]

Yeah, I did that when the noise started, but the sound is still there. I think it is a problem with the power supply. I downloaded a program called PC Alert 4 that lets you know when there is something wrong with CPU temp, voltage, or the fan. When I opened it, the display said that the CPU isn't getting sufficient voltage (although it seems to be working just fine). I don't really know if that would cause squeaking, but I want to solve that problem nonetheless. Do you know how to fix that? PC Alert says that it's getting 3.27V when it really should have 4.5-5.5V. Also, this problem began right when I installed the card. Is the card using too much power or what? I am obviously not too knowledgeable when it comes to PC hardware so any help is much appreciated! :)

Thanks for the help so far.

[Shamus]

Does the video card have one of those slots to plug in a power cord coming straight from the power supply or is it just a "stick in and it has enough power card"? Also, how many watts can your power supply put out? And what do you mean "when the screen is idle"? Like when the monitor turns off after a while or just when you're not doing anything on your computer?

[chesh]

There is no outlet on the back of the card for a different power supply. I don't know how to describe what shuts the computer up. It's not really when the screen is idle, but when it isn't doing serious graphics processing, it squeaks. So, when normal applications are running like Word or Excel or other programs that arent graphics intensive, I hear the squeeling/squeaking. When games are running and even certain screensavers run, the noise goes away.

I think the max for the power supply is 12V but I'm not 100% sure (and I can't check it right now - is there a way to check it without opening the case and looking at the side of the power supply?). I can't see how the graphics card could drain the power so much as to cause a problem with the CPU, but, like I said before, I don't know much about hardware. Do you think I need a new power supply? Maybe I'll just take it in to a fix-it store and see what they say.

I just can't understand how a VGA card could cause so much trouble. Thanks for your help.

[Shamus]

I meant as in how much your PS can put out in watts, but it probably doens't matter anyway. If the card was somehow sucking too much energy (which I don't see how), I don't think your computer would even turn on. :rolleyes:

And the squeaking? I dunno.

[SileNceR]

a gf4mx shouldn't use too much power; if you're worried that it's not getting enough power u can set your VAGP (agp voltage) higher than default in the BIOS although this isn't suggested.

Sounds like a faulty card, all I can suggest is try swapping this card with the other one you said you got at the same time and see if this one has the same problem in the other machine, and if the other card has the same problem in this machine.

[MulletMan]

If you want to fix it, cover your card completely in silly puddy. It will work like a charm.

Note: Silly Puddy increases video card performance tenfold.

[chesh]

haha. I tried that MulletMan, but my PC exploded. I just opened the case and I am 95% sure the sound is coming from the power supply. It is a 12V supply (asked earlier). The software I'm using to monitor the CPU is saying that it isn't getting enough power and maybe that's the reason for the squeaking. I emailed the creators of the PC Alert 4 software and, hopefully, they can give me a decent answer. Thanks for the help.

Oh, btw, it seems I cannot change BIOS settings on this comp. When it loads the BIOS after a restart, there is no key to display the settings. Is there another way to alter the BIOS? Well, thanks again.

[MulletMan]

Heres another handy computer tip... cover up all the holes in your power supply place to stop any noise. Trust me, it helps. :D

[chesh]

I've tried that. I also took the case into the bathtub with me and booted it up 8O. I don't remember a whole lot after that, but it still squeeks. Go figure...

:D

[Shamus]

The fan is probably just falty. I got a power converter the other day that has a fan in it that emits a very loud (eg ANNOYING) buzz/scratching sound. Not much you can do other than bust it open and switch out the fan (which is not advised unless you know what you're doing). :?

[brentech]

That's funny, because the other day a guy that works for my dad's company sent me a harddrive in the mail. It must of been damaged during delivery because when I put it in, it made a loud scratching noise too!!
haha.

No, but seriously, it sucks. I am supposed to be doing some Visual Basic programing for them. And this is a time set back, I need all the money I can get before going back to school. 8O

[SileNceR]

Is it an IBM drive?

and if u dont want noise, immerse your machine in a non-conductive liquid, pumped through ln2 surrounded pipes...

it's been done before.

[chesh]

Well, oddly enough it was the graphics card draining power from the CPU. I first tried switching the two GF4s and still heard the squeaking. When I reainstalled the old graphics card (original) in the machine, the squeaking stopped! I am pretty sure it was the CPU squeaking because I am 95% sure that, when I opened the case and started up the PC, I heard the sound coming from behind the power supply! This makes sense since the CPU didn't get enough power while the card was installed. Time to call MSI and let them figure out how to make it work.

[Shamus]

WTF? You just named like 3 different things that are suspect squeakers

[brentech]

What wattage is your power supply?

[SileNceR]

Yeah, I suspect it's the power supply at fault here, not the motherboard.

If the PSU is only something like 250W, 300W, or made by Codegen, I suggest you go buy an Antec TruePower in the range of 380W+ (I personally have a TruePower TrueBlue 480W)

[chesh]

You're probably right. The power supply is not enough to supply the GF4 and the CPU with enough power and that caused the sound. The CPU just wasn't getting enough power. I'm still calling MSI to see what they think, but I'm sure I'll have to upgrade the power supply to a higher wattage. Is there any way to check the current wattage without opening the case?

[SileNceR]

no, you'll have to look on the side of the PSU where it usually says the rating... sometimes they wont even have a rating on them at all which is generally only a 250W job...

check the specs for the case you've got, or just pull the side off the case and have a look... if you've removed and replaced the vid card a few times this aint gonna be a new experience ;)

[chesh]

no, I'm just lazy/tired of disassembling my comp :D

[rocket.]

And too much model making... ;)

[SileNceR]

you only gotta take the side off.... just don't screw the side back on this time round, sit it in place and leave it :)

[chesh]

Okay, I finally checked and the power supply is 250W. I'll probably just get a new one. Are there any potential dangers in boosting the wattage of the power supply or does the BIOS/motherboard control that? Also, do power supplies have to be compatible with anything like the motherboard or CPU or are they all made the same and are universally compatible?

Thanks for all the help.

[brentech]

You just have to get a PS that matches your case/mobo style. Such as ATX, which your's probably is.

Nothing wrong with changing the PS, you'll just have to make sure you get it in there good..and reconnect all your wires. I'd suggest something around 350+

My PS is a 360, and it does me well.

[SileNceR]

the way wattage works with a power supply is that is the rating it is capable of, not what it puts out at all times.

your componants take waht they need, and if the supply can't give it what it needs shit happens as you have discovered.... basically the only diff with a better psu and the one you have now will be when devices need power it's there, and your voltages should be better...

let me suggest either antec or enermax power supplies if you don't want to have problems again; and steer clear of codegen i've got a 350w one from them that doesn't run anything except an intel celeron(2) without crapping out; where an aopen 250w can do fine on the systems teh 350w can't handle.

I've got a 480W antec and am thoroughly impressed :D

[chesh]

I bought a 350 watt PS and the problem has been fixed. Thank you all for your input and help.

[SileNceR]

NP. glad to help