On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 22:10:41 +0100 (CET), FB Inc
<fbhas@nomail.com> wrote:


>> How old is the card and can you do without it (you have a
>> spare card, or spare system, since returning it to a
>> manufacturer for RMA could take a while)?
>
>The card is less than one year old. I believe I could get another on the
>same day.

That seems to be the best option, though frankly if the fan
on this one is failing within a year, if at all possible it
would be better to get one with a different fan.

Unfortunately video card fan failures are all too common,
even expected with some types of fans. I generally pull the
fan off when the card is new and either preventatively lube
it with very very thick oil, or replace the whole
heatsink/fan assembly. I suppose if one monitors their fan
function enough they can just wait till the fan shows signs
of malfunction to replace it, but personally I prefer a
do-it-and-forget-about-it approach where I could leave a
system running for a year and it would need nothing but a
dusting out or filter cleaning after that period if the
conditions warranted it. I would never trust a stock video
card fan for that period of time unattended.


>
>>
>> Generally the message about not enough power happens when a
>> power connector on the edge of a card is not used, but that
>> card may not have a power connector at all so I am wondering
>> if your power supply doesn't have enough capacity.
>
>The card has a power connector properly used, and started giving this
>message fairly recently. I changed the psu with a very good one, with
>twice the power, but it started again displaying this message after a
>while.

You don't mention PSU brands or power (current) ratings so
we will have to assume you are right about these being very
good PSU instead of just fictionally rated ones. The
voltage reading from software or better from a direct
multimeter reading at the power contacts on the video card
would be a more telling sign of correct voltage level.

Rarely I'll hear of someone whose card has the power
contacts fouled, you might pull the card and inspect the
contacts under strong light. If the card weren't under
warranty or the hope of salvaging it outweighed the problem
with system downtime while it would be replaced, then I
might suggest getting a cotton swab dipped in metal polish
(Brasso or similar) and cleaning the metal contacts (only on
the power socket, do not use abrasive metal polish on the
card edge gold plated contacts), BUT because that could void
any warranty it should not be done when returning the card
to seller or RMA to manufacturer is a better option.

Note also that fouled video card connector contacts can foul
the contacts on the PSU connector. Ideally you would try a
different PSU connector now and one that is not supplying
power to anything else on the same wires. 7600GS is a very
modest power consumer by modern standards, but certainly
something is making it think the voltage at the power
connector is either not present or too low.

I suppose it's also possible there is a cold solder joint or
it has cracked, or other problem on the power input perhaps
a blown (won't reset properly) polyfuse. Reflowing the
solder joints and checking continuity with a multimeter
could be one attempt to troubleshoot this, as well as
voltage readings at various points along the card's onboard
power subcircuits, but this is beyond the ability of most
and with the opportunity to replace the card it may be best
not to do any kind of repair.

>> I suppose it's possible there is a fault with the card that
>> could cause this but offhand I don't know what that fault
>> could be. Does the card otherwise work properly?
>
>Well, if I reboot the pc it works ok, though the cooler has become quite
>noisy.

No message then about power? In that case I would begin to
suspect the PSU is not delivering high enough voltage,
either due to insufficient capacity or power connector
contacts, or too much running from one set of lead wires.

I think the fan is an unrelated problem, but also a second
reason to get the card replaced.


>
>>
>> The heatsink fan can be loud on these lower power cards
>> simply due to being a poor design using a fan with too high
>> an RPM, but if the sound is strange and very loud
>> (everyone's idea of what is very loud for a video card fan
>> might differ) it does seem to suggest the fan is defective
>> (if new) or just a poor quality fan that has already worn
>> itself out (if it had be running for many weeks or months).
>
>It used to run fine with minimal noise, so it might have just gone bad.
>
>>
>> For the power problem check your power supply voltage,
>> particularly the 12V level. It might be possible there is
>> a problem with the card's fan AND your power supply is
>> struggling to power the system, but it does seem as though
>> you should return the card if possible.
>>
>
>I think I will return it while it's still under warranty.

Agreed