Sulphur on 18/4/2013 at 12:46
The power box is the power supply unit, I'm guessing. Just follow all those power lines at the top of your picture leading out from the PSU and see if there are any unaccounted for cables that snake off into some nether realm instead of being connected to something. I feel for you, but at the same time you get to learn new things this way. Sure, you might blow something up (disclaimer: you'll really only probably burn something out, I did that with a whole bunch of memory sticks, a graphics card, and a motherboard when I was a kid), but you'll learn from it, and that's the important thing!
Don't worry, you don't have to fiddle around with too many things to get this done. See if you can find that errant molex. If there's no 6-pin molex you might just need to get a new PSU, which is only slightly hairier than this.
Al_B on 18/4/2013 at 13:52
You shouldn't need a new PSU but it's worth checking to see if it's just hiding as Sulphur suggests. If it definitely isn't there at least your latest photo gives more confident that you can get up and running with an adapter cable.
Inline Image:
http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr99/Al_Bro/diapsu.pngIf you look at the top connector I've highlighted on the picture that's the four way "old style" power connector that should be suitable for an adapter such as the one voodoo posted. That particular connector isn't ideal due to where it is in the case but it looks like there might be another spare one lying on top of the hard drive in the bottom right hand corner.
There's also another connector lurking in the background. I suspect it's a flat SATA style connector but it's worth checking and seeing if there are any other connectors tucked behind there. Taking off the other side of the case is also a good idea if it's convenient but that depends on the case - some are riveted together which makes it impossible.
voodoo47 on 18/4/2013 at 13:53
modern components are pretty much foolproof, and there is almost no way of shorting/burning something up, unless you start to involve some heavy tools (nailguns, saws etc).
Dia on 18/4/2013 at 14:53
Quote Posted by Al_B
There's also another connector lurking in the background. I suspect it's a flat SATA style connector but it's worth checking and seeing if there are any other connectors tucked behind there. Taking off the other side of the case is also a good idea if it's convenient but that depends on the case - some are riveted together which makes it impossible.
Haven't tried taking off the other side of the case yet - haven't had the time yet to sit down and focus. It looks like it should come off, at least the tech-guy said it does and it has the same anchor screws holding it in place as the side I've already taken off. There are all sorts of little black thingies that look as though they might be useful in adding components; the one you pointed out to the far right rests directly on top of the HD case (1st pic below). The other (2nd pic - which I hadn't noticed before you pointed it out), lurking behind the myriad of wires, gives me hope because it's labeled '8 PIN', almost the same as the label on the connector now connected to my old gfx card (that one's labeled 'EXPRESS' with '8 pin' below it) - but that's all I can see right now. Hopefully I'll be able to get to the further exploration of the other side of the case in the next few hours.
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http://s29.photobucket.com/user/Diah_/media/CAM00291.jpg.html)
Inline Image:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/Diah_/CAM00291.jpg(
http://s29.photobucket.com/user/Diah_/media/CAM00293.jpg.html)
Inline Image:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/Diah_/CAM00293.jpgQuote Posted by voodoo47
modern components are pretty much foolproof, and there is almost no way of shorting/burning something up, unless you start to involve some heavy tools (nailguns, saws etc).
I think at this point the only thing I'm worried about is that in being careful, I'll end up being
too careful and accidentally touch circuitboards in places you're not supposed to touch circuitboards. This whole new gfx card thing seems to have escalated for me into something for which I really was not prepared. But Al's right: I'm gaining experience I never thought I would.
After this, I shall think nothing of falling down the stairs.
;)
P.S. I really don't know what I'd do without you guys here at TTLG. No lie; you've helped me (quite patiently, may I add) more in the past few years than any tech I've spoken with/exchanged e-mails and I am forever grateful. <3
voodoo47 on 19/4/2013 at 07:15
there is a good chance that the hidden 8pin connector is the second pci-e power connector (when looking up your psu on the 'net, sometimes the specs show one pci-e power connector, sometimes they show two, so no idea really). just remember, it has to fit into the card's connector nicely - don't force it if it does not fit.
Dia on 19/4/2013 at 14:22
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http://s29.photobucket.com/user/Diah_/media/CAM00295A.jpg.html)
Inline Image:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/Diah_/CAM00295A.jpgYep; found it. I actually did end up having to remove the opposite side panel because the extra connector was all wound up with a bunch of other wires/connection thingies. I wouldn't have noticed it even with the side cover removed if Al hadn't pointed it out because it was pretty much buried/tucked down in the middle of that lump of wires and connectors (I took the above pic after I wrangled it out from the middle of that lump). But it's done now;
mission accomplished! (And it wasn't anywhere in the vicinity that the tech-guy said it probably was .... thank God!) I'm hearing hardly anything - barely even a whisper and that's a wonderful relief after hearing grinding and squealing noises for the past month.
Thanks again, guys! I couldn't have done it without your help. This has definitely been a learning experience (migraines and nervous breakdowns notwithstanding). Nuthin' but love for ya all! <3
Al_B on 19/4/2013 at 14:36
That's excellent - so glad you found it and your new card is up and running.
Next stop: brain surgery :D
Dia on 19/4/2013 at 14:53
'Brain surgery': I liken that to taking the old gfx card apart to replace the fan.
And that learning experience is definitely going to be put on hold ..... indefinitely! I've had enough learning experiences in the past week to last me for awhile. Thankyouverymuch.
Thanks again!
:thumb:
TTK12G3 on 19/4/2013 at 15:04
Both card replacement and fan replacement are not really that hard, but the latter requires a bit of dirty work, and is generally not worth it. Since you don't care, you can try to find a place that sells replacement fans or just try to drop some lubricant into the bearing. Even if you fail, you will learn something.
If you are really lacking confidence with this, just get a new one.
(
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/)
Dia on 19/4/2013 at 15:10
Well, I managed the gfx card replacement, but replacing the fan on the old one is just not something I want to tackle right now - if ever. In fact, I'm thinking I'll donate it to someone who knows what they're doing and could really use the old 6850 because for me it's just not worth the time & trouble. Thanks for the link though, TTK. Much appreciated. :cheeky:
