Looking for assistance on a graphic card/computer issue.

Just over a week ago I was playing a game when my screen suddenly spazzed out. It turned into an image of vertical brown lines interspersed with a darker color line. The sound was skipping rapidly, as well. No keyboard commands worked, so I did the only thing I could—held the power button to shut it off.

When I restarted I received a black screen. The monitor was on and everything was the same as it was before, just no images on screen. The computer didn't act like it fully booted up, either. The fans were running, but as I said, no picture. The monitor's power button was flashing slowly, like it was in standby mode or asleep. I restarted several times (again, holding the power button) but it always restarted to the same result. I turned off the computer and monitor, unplugged the latter from the graphics card, and plugged it into the on-board VGA graphics. I started it up and got the same result, at first, but after then powering off and removing the graphics card, it booted up normally.

So I concluded, possibly incorrectly, that the problem was the graphics card itself. I cleaned and reapplied thermal grease to the heat sink in an attempt to solve the problem, but it didn't (it was a shot in the dark, anyway). So I ended up purchasing a new graphics card. After it arrived I immediately installed it, but I have run into the same problem—I plug everything in and up and when I power on the computer, I get a blank, black screen. As such, I can't go through the process of even trying to install drivers. I have disabled the on-board graphics through the Device Manager, but it didn't help. I've disconnected everything from the tower and removed the new card, then replaced everything, but there was no change.

After searching the Internet and wracking my brain over the possible problem, I can't determine if the motherboard's PCI-E slot has gone bad, or if the graphics card is defective, or if it's a problem with the BIOS, if the card is simply not compatible with my configuration, etc. Even though I can replace hardware and software and such, I'm not savvy enough with computers to determine such problems.

I do not have another computer system to plug the graphics card into and determine if that's the issue. I don't have an extra monitor to determine if that could be a problem, either.

This is my PC: https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Pavilion-p7-1200-Desktop-PC-series/5187022/model/5192622

Note: Everything about my computer is STOCK with the exception of the power supply, which was upgraded to a Corsair HX650W to be capable of supporting the older (dead?) graphics card. I bought the computer 5 years ago, so it's older than that (which may contribute to the problem).

This is the motherboard: https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pavilion-p7-1200-desktop-pc-series/5187022/model/5192622/document/c02980014

This is the new graphics card: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202288 (most of this may as well be in Greek).

Another note: I'd noticed my computer running “harder”, the fans running more like maybe something was getting overheated, in the month or more prior to the old card going out. I'd opened the case and thoroughly blew out quite a bit of dust. I'm unsure if this has any bearing on the current problem at all, but I thought I'd mention it.

I admittedly did not do enough research or checking to see if the new hardware would be compatible with the old, as I know some things but not nearly enough. But if anybody with more knowledge than me can throw me a bone and help me figure out what exactly is going on, I would be very appreciative.

Got a secondary computer or any friends with a desktop? You could try your old and new GPU at their PC. Perhaps try with another PSU. Again, maybe borrow one?

Also look at the mobo itself. Anything look or smell burned?

Does your motherboard and CPU have on-board graphics? If so, try connecting your monitor to your motherboard. Also, you can connect your PC to your TV to rule out the monitor. You can connect another device to the monitor to test it as well.

Thanks for the replies.

I'm going to see if my brother will let me try both cards on his system. I'll get back to you. As for the motherboard, nothing appears scorched, burst, charred, damaged, etc. It looks like it always has--no visible damage.

I'm using the on-board graphics now, with the same monitor. No card is inserted into the PCI-E slot. Oddly, if I do put a card in, but start the computer with the on-board still enabled, I get the black screen, like it knows a new card is there but won't work with it.

@Brakkyn: Try updating your BIOS. My friend bought a GTX 970 a while back and we could not get it to work until we updated the BIOS of his motherboard. Also, make sure you have the power cable connected to the card as needed.

EDIT: I believe this is the issue that you are running into...

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/bios-freezes-on-Hp-IPISB-CH2-with-new-graphic-card-installed/td-p/4631736

You may be shit out of luck because that old motherboard does not like newer graphics cards and the last BIOS update is very old.

I am wondering if your HDD or boot drive saw its last legs.

Thank you for the replies, folks.

My brother is unwilling to try my card(s) in his system, because he thinks it will FUBAR his own system, regardless of the fact it's only to test if they're detectable, no un/installation required. Without his permission, it's a no-go. I also checked my old system to see if I could try using the cards there, but it is woefully incompatible.

I seem to have discovered this, as well. I went to the HP website to see if there were any BIOS updates, and there was just one--released 5 months after the current BIOS version installed on my system. So, it seems like you're correct.

At this point, I think it could be anything.

I think I'm better off getting either an updated motherboard that will work along with my other components (and being more careful about what I buy), or just getting a whole new system.

@Brakkyn: I think this is a sign telling you to build a new system. That is what I would do in your situation. Sure, you have to spend some money, but it is something that you can enjoy everyday. :)

True enough. Still, I wonder what happened to my system originally--did the graphics card go out, or was it something else? I guess it's water under the bridge.

Thanks to everyone again for the assistance.

@Brakkyn: I think the GPU died and the new one is not compatible with your motherboard.

It's your MOBO PCIe slot that got bad. If it's under warranty RMA it, if not, then it's a brand new computer. (or at least a new MOBO and case because that case is aweful for gaming)