Monitor loseing signal

[Pestilence]

The PSU was working fine, so I'm sending back the nice PSU I ordered.
I dug through my extra computer components box and found a pair of DVI->Analog conversion plugs (wish I found those earlier). First thing I noticed is that my monitor was SOMEWHAT functional if I used an Analog plug with the converter into the same GPU plug that refuses to display AT ALL through the DVI cord. I still had some anomolies though as TWICE, when I left the computer alone to reinstall/reformat, I came back to see a black screen. SO... I swap monitors with my lady to see if MY monitor worked on HER computer while simultaniously testing MY CPU with HER monitor... Here are the somewhat confuseing and seriously annoying results:

GPU (a) - If this card is used, Not only do I not get any signal, but the computer will not startup at all. The Display-a-magig (Foxconn nForce 590 i) keeps flipping through numbers and I never hear the single beep that form the internal system speaker.

GPU (b) - When useing this card, it at first appeared to be working fine. After the two mistery black screens, I devoted full attention to the install process.
1st try: the computer froze up at 55% of reformat.
2nd try: I used QUICK FORMAT (same file system) and it was nearly done installing Windows when I got a crazy graphical glitch, followed by a freeze up.
Next: I cleared the drive and got into bios, and after alittle bit I got even stranger graphical glitches... Then I noticed that GPU (b) fan was not running (It WAS earlier) and that that fucker was Hot as all hell.

So: Was I given shitty video cards (EVGA Nvidea GeForce 7950 GT), or was I given a shitty motherboard that tells my video cards to cook themselves? Both were replacements OF Alienware FROM Alienware. Cuz GPU (a) has clearly burnt itself to a crisp, and GPU (b) is well on it's way and quite possably damaged already. MY monitor seems to be doing just fine on my ladies computer, not sure if the DVI cord is functional or not because it is my ONLY DVI cable and MY computer is the only one I know that has a DVI out (I don't know anyone with a PCI-E slot either).

[Pestilence]

Should I keep the new PSU?

One GPU is burned up, The second one MIGHT be damaged. Hard to tell without a PCI-E compatable system to check it with, But the fan will not turn on consistantly. Hard to tell if the Motherboard is damaged either. I e-mailed Alienware and potitioned them for some assistance sense they didnt correctly diagnose the original problems but sense the warenty has run out, they are not really legaly responsable anymore so I doubt they will do anything but tell me the warenty is expired and tell me I bought a $3,000 EZ Bake oven for GPUs. Apparently SOMETHING is burning out the GPU cooling systems at an accelerated rate and I'm not sure what the hell it is. So... should I keep the PSU I have, blameing the stock one as a possable source for damageing the GPUs... Then get a new GPU, and keep an eye on it's cooling fan?

[Slayer]

Its hard to say. It would really suck to have the old PSU burn out a new card although you could always have the new GPU RMA'ed. That would confirm a bad PSU. Having a new PSU would give you another warranty in case it went bad.

I think the fan on the GPU is controlled by the thermal sensor on the GPU until the computer is booted then the drivers control the Fan. This could be a symtom of a bad GPU.

We need to find out if the other GPU is BAD or if the Motherboard is bad and causing the issues.

Without being able to test either on known working hardware is a problem. Testing it on working hardware would put the working hardware at risk.

I would have to say that a new Mobo and GPU along with the PSU you have yet to return could solve your issues. But knowing for sure thats what needs to be done has yet to be determined.

Or start slow and get a new GPU to test it with the motherboard and PSU. If it works try it out for a while and it theres no problems then your ok. It theres problems then its time for a new mobo.

[Pestilence]

Well, Assumeing the all too likely scenario that Alienware will tell me to piss off, I'll be replaceing my video cards and probably my motherboard as well. Any suggestions as to a decent video card (I'll probably just buy one to start with intentions of getting a second for SLI when funds permit) and/or decent Motherboards?
Though they are the LAST people I want to go through for hardware now, I'm going to look into Alienwares Trade in policy they started up. Though I wouldnt use the potentialy tainted hardware for another rig, I wouldnt feel bad in the least by sneaking it back to them in trade. Though I doubt the Horrable GPU would pass inspection, the PSU/Mobo will almost certainly pass as "working" and the other GPU might sneak in under the radar as well. If so, I could trade those in for some replacent parts.

[Slayer]

Good Luck dealing with Alienware(Dell). A friend of mine bought a Laptop from them and it went bad twice. Alienware refused to deal with him after the second time. It was still in warranty so he called up the Better Business Beurau and filed and official complaint. Then Alienware traded his Crap Laptop for a $3000 gaming Desktop. Its a shame that they have to sell such shitty products.

I would go for the Nvidia Geforce 9600 GT $150 or the 9800 GTX $300.

[Pestilence]

The Hypothesis: The original problem, long ago, was overheating video cards. Alienware replaced the motherboard, which was then connected to damaged/overheating video cards for over a month. *This damaged the motherboard*. They then replaced both vid cards, which were connected to a damaged motherboard, causeing them to eventualy burn out.

Well, Though I may have exagerated my certainty about how the damage came about, siteing that I had the system examined by professionals (I guess that's you slayer?) Being that the original alienware tech was a retard for replaceing only the mobo, and that technicly you should NEVER connect shoddy overheating GPUs to a new mobo... I filed with BBB on the basis that, Although my warrenty has expired, Alienware failed to comply with the purchase agreement by failing to provide adiquate technical support (Accurate enough, the system has major problems aprox. every 4 months).

By the end of BBB initial complaint, Alienware offered to pay shipping Both ways and 10% discount on parts... A deal that makes both of us lose money (FedEX wins!). I of course declined that offer. They then opened phone negotiations directly, offering to simply ship me replacement parts at a 10% discount. Here is where it gets crazy.

According to the rep I have been negotiateing with, this is the quote on parts: Foxconn NForce 590 SLI Motherboard $165.98 (sounds about right)
**NVidia GeForce 7900GT (If in stock) $305.47!!!???
**NVidia GeForce 7950GT $329.91!!!???
Nope, that is NOT for a pair, that is apiece!
Apparently Alienware is stuck in 2006, cuz I can get pritty much ANY series 8 or 9 card for less then that.

Not a bad price on the motherboard, foxconn seems to make a decent one, but I could probably get a 750a SLI for about the same price. BUT, I know crap about mobos so it's hard to tell the diff. (seems compatable, I'm about to look up PCI-E 2.0).

[Slayer]

I think the whole BBB ordeal failed. There is no way i would settle for 2 year old parts. It sounds like your on your own unless you can get alienware to give you a deal on newer parts. If that deal is better than newegg take it.

Motherboard: Im not sure which processor you had but Newegg is having up to $40 off on certain mobo's. If its a LGA 775 proc then 750i should do fine on a budget 780i if you have a few extra bucks.

Graphics: Nvidia Geforce 9600 GT $150 or the 9800 GTX $300.

[Pestilence]

Asus Nforce 750a
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131280
EVGA GeForce 9600 GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130334
WITH shipping: $332.90 MoBo+1 9600
$482.89 MoBo+2 9600s
$582.89 MoBo+2 9600s+Slayer's HDs
I'll call Alienware and see if they can beat that but it's not a bad deal.
Those look like the proper items?

[Slayer]

That looks like it should work for you. There are not very many AM2 boards that are SLI certified. You wont be needing the onboard HDMI.

EVGA and ASUS are both good. Not very many reviews on that mobo though.

[Pestilence]

Well, unless you can point me at a better one.
It's the only one on newegg that fit the bill. Better to have unneeded crap then to not have what I need.

So, Every offer Alienware offered was an attempt to blindside me and skrew me out of hundreds of dollars. I may have been foolish enough to purchase from them the first time, but I'm not THAT stupid.

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice... well, ya can't fool me twice" -President George W. Bush