Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
127638
December 17th, 2012 10:00
PCI Express Status Test - Failed Fatal device error detected.
Hi
Can anyone tell me more about the following message from the Dell Diagnostics tool:
PCI Express Status Test - Fatal device error detected.
eg how do I find out where the problem is? The link on the diag results page just launches general PCI stuff.
T
he problem I'm trying to solve is why the graphics card has suddenly stopped working.
The PC is a Dimension E521 with a Nvidia GEforce 6150 LE graphics card. After 3 lock-ups yesterday the graphics failed totally today - the only way I can get anything out of the PC is by plugging the monitor into the on-board VGA video socket.
Obviously one solution is to replace the card, but I'd like to be certain that this is the problem before doing this.
Any suggestions/ideas welcome
No Events found!
RoHe
12 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
•
172.6K Points
0
December 17th, 2012 10:00
Sounds reasonable to replace the video card if the existing one isn't working. Or, just physically remove the video card from its slot and and see if that error message goes away.
You can always stick with on-board VGA if you don't want to buy a new PCI-e video card.
priorslee
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
December 18th, 2012 04:00
Thanks for the suggestion RoHe - good idea, I hadn't thought of that.
I was going to do try this today, but when I switched on it was objecting to the fact that I was using the on-board VGA rather than the graphics card. So switched the lead back to the video card and it is working again. Ran the Dell diag tests and they all came back with ticks.
Not sure what went wrong with the card, but the fault was almost certainly there.
All very odd - looks like time to invest in a replacement!
Thanks again for your help
RoHe
12 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
•
172.6K Points
0
December 18th, 2012 10:00
Glad it's working again. :emotion-21:
Sounds like maybe the card got loose in its slot and needs to be removed and carefully re-seated. I presume there's a bracket with a screw holding the end of the card to the back of the case, so be sure it's tight after you re-seat the card.
Always power off, unplug, and press/hold the power button for ~15 sec before doing anything inside the case. :emotion-5: