Video Card Testing

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Revision as of 12:55, 26 May 2010 by Elizabeth (talk | contribs) (replaced old video card testing documentation with new standarized A.T. documentation)
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These are instructions for testing video cards. PC cards are not hot swappable, so make sure the computer is off before starting the testing process. If you have any questions, check in with your instructor.
STEPS NOTES AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
Check for Damage Visually inspect laptop for blown capacitors, missing fans, jammed fans, and missing faceplates.
Seat Card into Mobo Place The Video Card into the appropriate AGP, PCI, or PCIe slot on the motherboard. If the card has a molex connector, plug in the molex cord from the power supply.
Plug In & Turn On Attach the monitor cable to the video card, if required ask for an adapter. Turn the computer on and let the program run until it tells you what the card is.
Determine Card Status

Recycle in the yellow bin IF:

  1. the card does not post
  2. it is an AGP that is under 64 MB

Keep IF:

  1. the card posts
  2. is a PCI or PCI-Express regardless of size
  3. is an AGP 64 MB or bigger

Send all cards that say Macintosh to Mac Land without testing.

Create Card Label Record what the screen says on a label. Make sure to include: Vendor, Model, and Memory.

It should say something like: (Voodoo Banshee 64 MB) or (RIVA TNT 64 MB) or (Nvidia gf2 gts nv11 64 MB) or (Radeon 7000 R100 64 MB). This Label is to be placed on the Video Card.

The software sometimes lies, check the list of cards if you suspect a slow read on a nice looking card may be incorrect

Power Down Turn off the computer and remove the video card. It's faster to turn off the computer with the power supply switch rather than using software controls.
Put it away Bring to appropriate area determined by the type of card it is.
  • AGP with 64 MB go to BUILD
  • AGP with more than 64 MB go into the STORE BOX
  • All PCI go into the STORE BOX
  • All PCI-Express go to the TARDIS
Do it again! Thanks for your good work!