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Question

Computer problem

Aug 19, 2017 9:26AM PDT

So im asking here because i've tried everything i was told and could think of. a couple of weeks ago i found some old RAMs and i thought maybe I could use them in my computer. I plugged everything out and opened it up. All my RAM slots were taken so i took one of them out so i could check if the RAMs i found are even compatible and put it back in. I turned my computer back on and first thing i noticed that the startup logo and the windows logo were a bit "stretched out" or not as good in quality as they were i guess. Anyways, it got to the windows logo and after that the screen turned blacked, the monitor switched between the VGA and DVI options and said "No signal" and turned off. After three times i restarted it, it took me to the windows repair options and i tried repairing windows, it didn't work. I tried system restore and that also didnt work. I was able to boot it into safe mode and i once again tried the system restore and, again, it didn't work. So i tried reinstalling windows and it booted normally. Then i installed the graphic card driver (the graphic card is Nvidia GTX960) and when it installed it the image disappeared again and i was able to get past the windows startup logo only if i booted it in safe mode. So i thought that there was a problem with the graphic card itself and i took it to the shop where i bought the computer. They had everything (graphic card, hard drive, RAM...) checked out and tested and everything was normal. They told me that maybe i got the wrong drivers and that i should try reinstalling windows again and letting it download the drivers itself, which i did. Again, the screen went black the second it was installed. The monitor is connected via a DVI cable so i tried connecting the computer to my TV via HDMI cable (since my monitor doesn't have HDMI input) and it all booted normally. I tried connecting the monitor with DVI to my old computer and there was no image. I thought it was the cable and since it was still under warranty i took it to the shop where i bought it, they tested it and it worked. Next i thought it was the DVI input on the monitor and i took it to the shop too and they connected it to their computer and it all worked. They suggested that i try installing an older version of the driver and that also didnt work. I tried disabling startup programs and booting it in low resolution video and it didn't work. Only thing i can think of now is that, when they tested the graphic card, they connected it with a HDMI cable and that there is a physical problem with the DVI slot on the graphic card itself (because of the stretched out BIOS and startup screen). Other than that im out of ideas.

(btw english is my second language so i apologize for any mistakes)

Discussion is locked

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Answer
While this is what they call a wall of text.
Aug 19, 2017 9:53AM PDT

I did manage to pick out this: "reinstalling windows again and letting it download the drivers itself".

Microsoft has improved Windows to get drivers but is far from perfect. That is, after Windows is installed you MUST install drivers and apps to complete the setup or you may have troubles like you described.

And here's where Apple wins every time for me. No two PCs are alike (rarely) so only you or your PC maker will have the instructions on what drivers and apps you need to install to finish the install.

TL;DR. Your installation is not finished.

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Driver installation
Aug 19, 2017 10:01AM PDT

First time i reinstalled windows i installed them manually, and i removed the ones windows installed and installed them manually again, which resulted with the same black screen, after which i, also manually, installed an older version of the driver

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I never used that method.
Aug 19, 2017 10:06AM PDT

I let Windows install the OS, let Windows Update do its thing and followed up with drivers.

Let me share my usual CLEAN INSTALL in short form.
1. Update BIOS (some won't but I do this since it's a great time to get this updated.)
2. Start with a blank drive and install Windows.
3. At this point I connect via Ethernet and let Windows Update finish.
4. Now I install the motherboard chipset driver package, rebooting between driver installs as asked then sound, video, WiFi, LAN, and what apps this machine needs.

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Not the first time i installed Windows
Aug 19, 2017 10:46AM PDT

That is basically the same method i usually use (and used the first time i reinstalled it)

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As changes in Windows and PCs occur
Aug 19, 2017 11:02AM PDT

I find I have to update my install to work with that particular PC.

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Answer
Monitor
Aug 19, 2017 9:59AM PDT

Not sure I followed everything but,

If the monitor does not work on 2 different machines it's either the monitor or the cable.

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Monitor
Aug 19, 2017 10:03AM PDT

Both were tested, both worked fine (the old pc was always a bit buggy so im not even sure if the DVI slot works)