8800 GTS 640 problem

[Marvo]

Just 3 weeks ago, I got myself a new desktop rig. These are the specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750, BOX, LGA775 Asus P5N32-E/SLI, Nforce 680I SLI, Socke Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4, 2x1024MB Corsair CMPSU-520HXEU, 520Watt 1 Seagate 7200.10 160GB, 8MB, SATAII XFX GeForce 8800GTS, 500M, PCI-E So anyway, after about 2 weeks, it's been running fine, but then I inserted my previous 120GB IDE/ATA harddisk, for some old files and more space. When I turned on my computer again, a high-pitched sound started. At first I guessed it was the harddisk, so I turned it off, but the sound was still there. I've traced the problem to the GFX card. Now, at first, I thought it didn't really matter, seeing as I've experienced similar stuff, so I turned on my computer, and started a game of Bioshock. Within 20 seconds of gaming, the game locked up. The sound keept running in the same track, and changed every 4th second like "Bo-bo-bo-bo-bo-bo-bo-om-om-om-om-om-om". So, I've tried reinstalling my GeForce driver, didn't change anything. I've tried older drivers, didn't help either. What do you people suggest, and is this a typical problem? If it's a card problem, there is a warranty, and I can probably just go and return the card, though I don't want to be without my desktop for that long. I really need some help here, I'm completely blank myself Thanks in advance!

[Ynot]

Oh christ, there's way to many variables in here... First thing to do is make sure all cards are squarely in their slots harddisks are big and heavy, and there's generally not a lot of space inside a case - just make sure you haven't knocked something - what's your OS? - Did you build the machine yourself, or was it pre-built? - what type of soundcard do you have (onboard or separate card)? - If soundcard is separate, is it PCI, or what? - Do you have any free slots to move your soundcard to a different slot if it becomes necessary? - Do you have any other ATA/IDE devices on your machine (cd / dvd drive, etc.), or was the second harddisk the first time you've used the IDE?

[Marvo]

I'm running on Windows XP, updated to Service Pack 2. I built the machine myself. I have a SoundMAX HD Audio card, it came with the motherboard. The soundcard is in small PCI port, which from what I've gathered, claims to be an HD audio PCI port. The second HD audio port is blocked by the cooling on the GFX card. I have a DVD/CD rom drive, which was in the computer before the harddisk. Right now, all IDE units are disabled.

[Ynot]

could you move the soundcard to another PCI slot, and see if that changes anything?

[Marvo]

I'll get you a picture, just a second.

[Marvo]

This is the port needed. My graphicscard is blocking that port (can't see the port, but the heatsink and all that is there, blocking it)