Compaq 8000Z Athlon 1500, Compaq motherboard... Hi all. I recently switched from a GeForce 2 to a Radeon 9600. I followed all the steps about uninstalling old drivers then starting with vga graphics and installing new drivers. The new drivers (from the ATI site, the latest ones dated Aug 3) installed fine and everything worked great. However, when I turn off the computer or restart, the monitor light just flashes and the computer won't boot. If I put the GeForce back in, the computer boots. Then I can turn it off, switch cards and it boots fine the next time with the Radeon. Again though, if I turn it off with the Radeon inside, it wont start up again. I can repeat the process all day, and always the Radeon wont start unless the GeForce was in the boot before it. In fact, the GeForce doesn't have to even start windows. As soon as I see 'COMPAQ' I can hit power, insert the Radeon and all is fine... until I turn it off. I added another 40GB hard drive at the same time and my PS is only 235Watts. Is this why I get this weird problem? I realize that according to power supply sites my computer needs more but I don't understand why the system works fine for days as long as I don't restart or power off. Sorry this is so long and winded... If anyone needs more info let me know. thanks! Jeff

Get on the net or go to a computer shop and buy a 350-400W power supply. They are cheap and easy to come by. This way you will be sure if this is the problem or not, since you said you saw that your PSU was insufficient anyway. And if it is not the problem then you just gave your computer a cheap upgrade...

Or at least go to this link and see what the minimum PS you need for your system. http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/ When all else fails beat the $%!* out of it!!!

FOr an Athlon your power supply is greatly underpowered. And with a higher end graphics card installed... Well. I would definitely buy a new PSU. You need to anyway, regardless of this issue. Out of interest, what are your cpu temps?