Failing to Recognize Video Card

[Reaper19]

I recently bought a new computer off of new egg and there seems to be some issue with it.  I am not sure whether it is the video card or power supply, or some other issue I have not considered.  Below are my computer specs and what I have tried thus far to remedy the problem.  Any advice or suggestions are more than welcome and appreciated.

General Spec
Brand:

• CyberpowerPC

Model:

• Gamer FTW 2001LQ

Type:

• Gaming

Processor:

• Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4Ghz
  Processor Main Features
  64 bit Quad-Core Processor
  Cache Per Processor
  6MB L3 Cache

Memory:

• 16GB DDR3 1333

Hard Drive:

• 2TB SATA-III 6.0 Gb/s 7200RPM

Optical Drive 1:

• Blu-Ray Player & DVDRW Combo Drive

Graphics:

• AMD Radeon HD 7970 3GB PCI-e Graphics

Ethernet:

• Gigabit Ethernet

Power Supply:

• 800W
  

Operating System:

• Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit

Special Features:

• Thermaltake Level 10 GTS (White) Gaming Case
  120mm Liquid Cooling System

Motherboard:

• Chipset
  Intel Z77

CPU:

• CPU Type
  Intel Core i5
  CPU Speed
  3570k(3.40GHz)
  L3 Cache Per CPU
  6MB
  CPU Socket Type
  LGA 1155
  CPU Main Features
  64 bit Quad-Core Processor
  

Graphics:

• GPU/VPU Type
  AMD Radeon HD 7970 3GB PCI-e Graphics

Memory:

• Memory Capacity
  16GB DDR3
  Memory Speed
  DDR3 1333
  Memory Spec
  4GB x 4
  Memory Slot (Total)
  4
  Maximum Memory Supported
  32GB

Hard Drive:

• HDD Capacity
  2TB
  HDD Interface
  SATA III
  HDD RPM
  7200rpm

Optical Drive:

• Optical Drive Type
  BD Combo
  Optical Drive Spec
  Blu-Ray Player & DVDRW Combo Drive

Audio:

• Audio Channels
  7.1 Ch Audio

Communications:

• LAN Chipset
  Integrated
  LAN Speed
  10/100/1000Mbps
  

Front Panel Ports:

• Front USB
  2 x USB 2.0
  2 x USB 3.0

Back Panel Ports:

• PS/2
  1
  Video Ports
  1 DVI, 1 HDMI, 2 Display Port
  Rear USB
  4 x USB 2.0
  2 x USB 3.0

Expansion:

• PCI Slots (Available/Total)
  2 x PCI-e x16 (1 Available)
  2 x PCI-e x1 (Available)
  2 x PCI (Available)

When I first got the computer I attached my 24" Dell monitor directly to the video card HDMI slot.  The BIOS screen appeared as well as the prompt to install windows 7 from drive.  However there were lines that randomly appeared on the screen in different locations at different instances.  Therefor, I changed the monitor over to directly plugging it into the motherboard HDMI slot and using the integrated graphics card.  This appeared perfectly.  I installed windows 7 and set up the basics using the integrated card and installed drivers for my 7970 thinking that that may have been the issue.  Well, that did nothing to fix it and it still refused to use the HDMI output on the V Card.  90% of the time, the monitor would remain black and occasionally it would show up with lines on the screen.  But it never made it to my desktop only to BIOS.  I then entered BIOS and set it to boot using the 7970 and disabled the integrated card.  This did nothing to solve the problem either.  I have opened up the computer, tried different slots, removed it and re-inserted it several times and nothing seems to work.  I know it is getting power because the fan on the 7970 spins.  Any advice or experience regarding this issue would, again, be appreciated.

Things I have Tried:

• Updating Drivers
  Different PCI Slots
  Disabling Integrated Graphics and Enabling PCI Graphics on BIOS

[hartbeatmr]

Good morning Reaper19 and welcome to CH

When you go to start the PC open the side panel and look at the LED on the board it will give you a code and look in your manual it should tell what the possible issue is.

But I would not mess to much if it is new and under warrantee you may void it, Mike   

[Reaper19]

I am getting a b2 error which refers to a Legacy Option Rom Initialization error.  Now, I am not sure exactly what this means.  I have tried going into BIOs and disabling Legacy Rom, but that did not do anything either.  I understand that with the B2 error, it can be just about anything.  But since I can use the computer normally and everything is checking out when I remove my 7970, it makes me want to think it is that.  But, I do not know much about this.  Thoughts?

[hartbeatmr]

Good evening Reaper19 and welcome back

Well depending on who made that MoBo it maybe video issue either onboard GVA chip or as you found out the add-on Video card.

       I would be calling them up. Who ever you bought it from and do a RMA for another video card. The error you are getting "Legacy Option Rom Initialization error" makes since that you can use the PC with out the video card.

       If you look at part of the error you got "Rom" that means "Read only memory" the add-on video card has memory kind of like your MoBo has but the difference for the memory on the MoBo is "Ram" which is "Random access memory" this can read and write temporarily. But in some ways yes they both do the same thing and you would be right yes they do. But the video card memory only lets the info pass through and can not write, if I am making any since I hope

      When you contact the vendor for the video card replacement I would ask them if your card can use HDMI as the default cable connection for your display although it should be able too but maybe you can use it but only as the second display and not as primary connection.

Hope this help you, Mike

PS please let us know how you make out.   

[Reaper19]

Most stores are closed today since it is Sunday, but I am going to go out and grab a DVI cable and try that out.  After a quick google search, it seems similar problems were experienced when they tried using only an HDMI connection.  Hopefully, this fixes it.  I really don't want to have to go through the hassle of RMAing it.

Thank you very much for all the help thus far, you have saved me a ton of time and effort.  I'll post again after getting the new DVI cable, hopefully while using my 7970!

[Reaper19]

Sorry for taking so long to respond.  After running some more tests and eventually trying to use the Card in another system, I found out it is definitely the card.  I called the company and they are sending me a new one.

Thanks again for all the help.

-Reaper19