I have a compaq SFF computer with a 175W power supply. I recently purchaced a 256 graphics card (GeForce 6200) which i was hoping would let me run certain games which will not run at the moment as i only have a 64mb onboard graphics card. Unfortunatly it doesnt fit neatly in the casing, but this doesnt really bother me. When connected up and the comptuer turned on the fans run, ligsh light up and harddrive humms but the computer doesnt make the normal start up noises and nothing is fed through to the moniter. I am assuming this is because my 175W power supply (aslo supplying harddrive, DVD and floppy) is not up to it.
Is this the case? The card is obviously getting some power as the fan runs normally, but perhaps there is not enough?

secondly, i tried using a diffrent power supply from another computer, but it didnt have the correct attachments to attach to one of the sockets, which is under the power supply in the SSF compaq. I assume this is a special socket for the SSF to make it more comapct. It is the large socket with 20 odd pins (havnt counted them)

Is it a power supply problem, please? or is it something else (i.e mother board not good enough) or can you no tell

And does anyone know where to get a 250W power supply for a compaq SSF, or how i can convert a normal power supply to supply my computer, as i said, im not to bothered about it not being all in the case.

Sorry its long, and i hope someone can help me!

Classic example of why we don't recommend SFF systems.

The 6200 is a weak card & not very good for gaming. 256MB means very little. I'm sure it's better than the integrated graphics, but don't expect blazing speed. Although it is a possibility, I doubt the PSU is the problem.

Since the card apparently doesn't fit properly, are you sure it's fully seated in it's slot? And what exactly is the problem...the mounting tab or is the card physically too big? You may need a low profile card. PCI, AGP or PCI-e?

Some motherboards require the use of jumpers to switch from IGP mode to external graphics mode. My file server's 3-year-old PCI-E board has 10 jumper blocks that control the IGP and PCI-E x16 slot.

Check your instruction manual.

"Unfortunatly it doesnt fit neatly in the casing"

Is it properly seated in the slot?

The creme de la creme of Socket 939:
Opty 185 @ 3.2GHz
SLI'ed GTS-640s, both flashed to 625/1458/1950
4GB PC3200
Blu-Ray/HD-DVD, X-Fi
A8N32-SLI Deluxe
3DMark06: 13896

You just explained the exact symptoms of my PC. Green light, fans, but nothing on monitor. I'm still trying to figure it out.

Man, I can't believe that I forgot to mention this in my last post. You should do the following before hunting for video-related jumper blocks:

Connect your monitor to the onboard video (you may have to take out the new video card). Turn the PC on and bring up your BIOS setup screen. In there, make sure that your computer is set to use the external video card (AGP, PCI, PCIe) instead of the onboard video. Reboot. Power off. Install new video card. Connect monitor to new video card. Power on. If it works, do the Macarena.

The creme de la creme of Socket 939:
Opty 185 @ 3.2GHz
SLI'ed GTS-640s, both flashed to 625/1458/1950
4GB PC3200
Blu-Ray/HD-DVD, X-Fi
A8N32-SLI Deluxe
3DMark06: 13896

Thanks all - i will try out some of those more complicated methods in a second with all the reebooting and bios etc...
but the card is definitely seated properly - the SSF just has too low a case to fit on top of th card, as it protrudes too far, but it is seated properly and sits in the mounting tab fine.

Im aware its a weak card, but i dont want anything too fancy i only want to be able to play things like BF2142 and so on, for which it is twice the recommended minimum - i wanted to get something quite weak in the hope it wouldnt go over the top of my power allowance - which i was afraid it had now.

Its an AGP card, sorry i didnt mention that before.

Im afraid i dont have an instructrion manual - both machine and card were purchaced on ebay nice and cheep - another thing i was worryong about was the card not working properly

Oh and hawk1983, if you figure it out please tell me!

oh and jackbomb, you mention install the new video card as part of your answer - you just mean instert it into the slot, right?
And i am not the highest level computer user - im sure i can work out how to get that option up on bios but i may be back to ask how if i cant find it!

And are you sure this is the correct answer, as not only is the moniter not displaying anything when the moniter is pluged wither into the onboard output or the videocard output, but the comptuer doesnt make the same npises as when it normally starts up -t he harddrive is still whirring slightly but there arnt the same clicks

Are you sure it isnt a power issure - lights still come on - and if so any reccomendations on where to get a 250W SFF power supply?

Thanks y'all i will try some of the things listed here and get back to you on how they work!