Ugh. Dell Optiplex 780 won't display w/new graphics card, works fine w/old graphics card.

[eppur_se_muova]

Unfortunately, I've never known that much about graphics cards, and Googling leads to thousands of partial matches which don't relate to my problem. I'm hoping someone here can at least give me a hint.

I can run the nVidia Quadro K2200 just fine on my (newer) LeNovo IdeaStation, but on the Dell it just boots to monitor off -- not even black screen -- the monitor just never comes on. I have used this same Dell with an older card (nVidia GeForce GT520, IIRC) with no problems -- no need to install drivers, update BIOS, whatever. Is there some reason why this older platform is just not compatible with the new graphics card ? Or is there some kind of firmware update for the card (the Dell BIOS is current)?

(The K2200 has connectors for DVI-I Dual Link (24+5) and HDMI. None of my monitors has sockets for all 24+5 pins, so I've had to use an adapter that converts DVI-A or DVI-D (single link) to VGA. Both work fine when the card is in the LeNovo, but the monitor stays off when it is in the Dell!)

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

1. Is anything visible when you boot into the BIOS? n/t

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Nothing. If I connect the monitor to the built-in video it gets as far as ...

... a message that this configuration is not supported, and I should reboot w/monitor connected to PCIe card.

w/card connected, as I said, the monitor doesn't come on, so f12/f2 has no effect.

Hmmmmm .... did I try f2/f12 *AND* the onboard video ? Not sure. Would that still bail on me ? I'll have to consider giving that a try.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

3. I have had issues with DVI monitors and adapters.

Are you using the same monitor, cable and adapter to try on the both Dell and Lenovo?

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Yes. I've tried several variations of adapter and cable, too.

At some point it gets hard to be sure if I've tried **every** permutation and combination, but I'd like to simplify the search with a little extra knowledge, if possible.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

6. I remember cases where older PCs with onboard video...

...wouldn't work with an add on video card unless onboard video was disabled in the BIOS.
The M/B I remember was a Gigabyte AMD item but maybe others also. Long time.

[PoliticAverse]

5. Do any of your monitors support DVI or HDMI?

If so try that (ditch the VGA) - they don't need to support all the DVI pins that is only for dual-link).

Also what CPU is in the 780?

[eppur_se_muova]

7. I have one 29-pin (gift from a neighbor) but no power adapter big enough for it.

:headslap:

One or two others don't support as many pins as the cables I have, so some of the cables/connectors don't even fit. Best I can do is a DVI-D (single link) cable to a monitor that has that socket. But I already tried that one out.

I had no idea that DVI had diversified into so many variants, nor do I really see the point. Would have been a bit hesitant about buying this card, had I known.

Oops, missed that. The CPU is the Core2Duo E7300.

[PoliticAverse]

10. There's really only one variant your monitor needs - single link digital.

The Possibility exists that your Computer/card is outputting video to the connector you aren't using by default.

Do you have any TV's you can try that support HDMI?

You are sure your 780 is updated to the latest Bios, yes?

[getagrip_already]

8. Do you have any free PCI slots?

Sometimes, they are fickle and one will work when another won't.

If you have an open, compatible PCI slot, try it.

What I do is remove anything not required for the system to boot. Then I move the card around to see if another slot works. When I get the monitor working, I add back other components one by one to make sure they aren't causing any issues.

And of course, make sure you apply any applicable hw and sw updates.....

[eppur_se_muova]

9. No, this was never a top-end machine.

It was also kind of a "transition" machine in that it had PCI slots and one PCI-e.

[LuvLoogie]

11. Check the Bios settings for the onboard graphics on the Dell

https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-disable-an-onboard-graphics-card-in-bios

Also so may check for IRQ conflicts

https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-detect-an-irq-conflict

Core 2 Duo is a bit old. Check for BIOS updates at manufacturer site

What OS are you running on the Dell?