Start by measuring each voltage on pin the AGP edge connector on the gf4 to GND (ground). Pinout was already posted earlier on.

I've once in a hurry inserted one of those widely used chinese POST test cards into some s.7 mobo ISA slot backwards and luckily nothing was fired. But inserting backwards an AGP videocard... c'mon this must be a joke thread.

analog_programmer wrote on 2025-09-05, 11:22:

c'mon this must be a joke thread.

Why is it a big deal? It can be easily done and it doesn't even look weird when you are tired. Here, I just illustrated it for you.
Looks fine aside from the fact that it's facing the wrong way. It fits perfectly when the AGP port doesn't have those little notches on the end that prevent it. Some OEM boards have ports on all sides so making this mistake when the bracket is missing is not that difficult. He learned from it, won't make the same mistake again.

Mandrew wrote on 2025-09-05, 14:00:

Why is it a big deal? It can be easily done and it doesn't even look weird when you are tired. Here, I just illustrated it for you.
Looks fine aside from the fact that it's facing the wrong way. It fits perfectly when the AGP port doesn't have those little notches on the end that prevent it. Some OEM boards have ports on all sides so making this mistake when the bracket is missing is not that difficult. He learned from it, won't make the same mistake again.

I can't believe, that someone (even half asleep one) could insert backwards the graphics card with attached cable for monitor/display (the cable goes to front - pretty normal, eh 😁 ) unintentionally. And if there was not cable attached, why he'd start the system with videocard inserted? Just to see if it's "spinning fans" without "beeeeeep, beep, beep..."?

Now I'm interested where is the actual location of that burnt diode - MB, VC or PSU. But enough food is enough.

If only they had spaced out the 1.5V key just one extra pin to the side when designing the AGP 2.0 spec, this video card would still be working. Clearly you should sue Intel for gross negligence! 😆

I actually never realized that the keying, or likely lack thereof, would allow that with an AGP card. RIP card 🤣

I have done this with exactly 1 socket 3 cpu (it survived but mobo regulator didn't), and, likely several times over my life with 72 pin simms 🤦‍♂️ usually in hard to see places where you THINK you heard 2 clips click, but actually you only heard one because the simm is backwards and off by 1/16th in it's socket due to the key.

Removing the slot brackets for bench testing because you can't be bothered to put a book or something under the motherboard is dumb, end of story

maxtherabbit wrote on 2025-09-07, 17:29:

Removing the slot brackets for bench testing because you can't be bothered to put a book or something under the motherboard is dumb, end of story

Don't forget the metal scrappers 😉

maxtherabbit wrote on 2025-09-07, 17:29:

Removing the slot brackets for bench testing because you can't be bothered to put a book or something under the motherboard is dumb, end of story

I remove the brackets very first when I'm testing / repairing a broken graphics card. They're often in the way, not useful when you need to solder (especially with pre-heating from a heat-plate.)

I even forgot I had a motherboard without a graphics card running and forgot it's on and just hot-plugged a Radeon 9800 Pro into it.. realizing what I just did, I turned the system off. Checked for dead electronics smell and and just turned it on again, all fine. Lucky me.

I remove brackets only when cleaning the cards in ultrasonic bath or the brackets have some corrosion and need treatment.

I'm still waiting to learn where's the "only burnt diode".

Agree completely with not removing the bracket unless you have to to "get at" something.

On my bench I have a easily switched outlet (switch on front of bench) which I use to remove power completely
when inserting/removing parts or otherwise adjusting the piece under test ... this also controls a light shining down
on the bench which even though I use movable spotlights to illuminate work areas, makes it very obvious that
power in ON.

Also, when testing "in the field" without a CPU fan or some other obvious means of knowing when the board is powered ON,
I use a bright LED on a little, stable insulated flat base I can sit on the board while testing, usually connected
to a floppy connector or some other source of system 5v power.

Mistakes CAN so easily happen when digging into things!

CharlieFoxtrot wrote on 2025-09-05, 07:02:

While you are Mr. Perfect, absolutely nothing prevents inserting cards wrong way especially on the bench. If something would, th […]
Show full quote

Living wrote on 2025-09-05, 05:32:

how...? in 30 years i never installed a card in the wrong way, the backplate prevents that

While you are Mr. Perfect, absolutely nothing prevents inserting cards wrong way especially on the bench. If something would, this wouldn't haven't happened to OP.

I don't get it why some people need to start high hatting about honest mistakes. Totally unnecessary and it doesn't help OP one single bit if the card can still be revived.

Shit happens. For example I've installed MB AT power connectors wrong way although I very well know how they should be installed. That was goodbye for that nice 486 PCI board. And I've probably made dozens of similar stupid rookie mistakes with retro hardware, just with less painful consequences.

thanks for understand. yeah i was very sleepy, i want to test the card before sleeping... the board didnt have any other card installed. my eye were half closed, i should have sleep. we didnt have much time lately, we checked the card only 30 minutes and cleaned it, no good result. yes the psu turn on and work now, but the screen is all black and no beep at all. even the keyboard dont react to capslock or numlock, like everything is frozen. the voltages we tested were goods. we didnt test every voltage and every component yet. maybe within one week. i'm not in a hurry i got a asus gf4 440mx v9180 magic 128 bit 64 megs ddr for 20$ two days ago

bertrammatrix wrote on 2025-09-06, 23:59:

usually in hard to see places where you THINK you heard 2 clips click

Yes those tiny AT cases that were popular in the mid-1990s.

I have computer in one which needs its memory increased, but I still haven't done this because to access the memory slots you have to first remove the cards, drive cage and PSU

Doesn't that one have a removable motherboard tray from the other side?

devius wrote on 2025-10-07, 21:10:

Doesn't that one have a removable motherboard tray from the other side?

Usually you don't realize this until after taking everything else out, or cutting up your hands trying to do it blind 🤣

Also sometimes it's a toss up what's easier since to pull the board tray from the other side involves pulling all the cards out