Zotac GTX 960 Dead-ish DVI Port

Masman8675 · September 20, 2019

Hello, just wondering what may be causing my issue. The DVI port outputs no video if my PC boots up with it plugged in, except for the Bios screen. However if I plug the cable in after booting, it works fine. With a DP to DVI there is no issue with that, or with HDMI. GPU model: Zotac GTX 960 2GB. Persisting with various drivers, and several machines, so likely a hardware issue with the output connector. It does seem to be more loose than my 1050Ti. Likely not something I can fix, but I figured it's worth asking.

Thank you!

2SidedPolygon · September 20, 2019

Sounds like your hunch is correct, probably an issue with the monitor that I doubt is remotely easy to fix.

Nord · September 20, 2019

Just to make sure:
HDMI on GPU, HDMI on Monitor = ok.
DP on GPU, DVI on Monitor = ok
DVI on GPU, DVI on Monitor = no picture after BIOS splash.

If that is the case than yes indeed it is most likely the dvi port on the GPU.. unless you are using more than one monitor?

ZOTAC is not a quality manufacturer, I literally had the DVI port screws fall out of zotac cards (yes, multiple) on more than one occasion just by unscrewing the DVI plug.
So I have no problem imagining that the port just becomes loose and simply loses the connection once the fans & HDDs kick in and everything starts to vibrating enough.

If you feel the port is loose, you can use "weak" pliers to tighten the 2 screws around the DVI port, that might be enough.
Otherwise it's most likely a heatsink disassembly and hoping that there is a way to tighten the port afterwards, somehow.. (probably worth looking at some disassembly guides first before choosing this option)

Masman8675 · September 25, 2019

On 9/20/2019 at 7:28 PM, Nord said:

Just to make sure:
HDMI on GPU, HDMI on Monitor = ok.
DP on GPU, DVI on Monitor = ok
DVI on GPU, DVI on Monitor = no picture after BIOS splash.

Yep, that's what the issue is. I'll maybe remove the card and see if there's anything to tighten. I had that same issue with the DVI screws before as well, I just snugged them up real tight. It feels more loose where the pins insert really. The bracket I think is okay. I actually got it from a buddy of mine, he found it lying on a shelf at his work and when he asked around nobody knew whose it was. So it's possible it was dropped off to be recycled as they have an ewaste drop off point there.