Issue with HP Omen 25L PCI-E port problems
Issue with HP Omen 25L PCI-E port problems
Hello everyone, I’m facing an issue with my HP Omen 25L gaming PC. The monitor doesn’t show anything. I recently swapped out the original graphics card for a cheaper model (GTX 1660 Super to GT210). Now the computer won’t output to the display at all. I took it to a repair shop, which told me it’s a PCI-E slot or motherboard problem. I’m confused and don’t know what’s wrong. I was hoping someone could help me figure this out. A friend mentioned the PCI-E slot should still be fine since they’ve never heard of it failing. Any suggestions? My display is an MSI Optix G241, and I really don’t want to replace the whole thing or end up in a repair shop. It’s been a solid machine—bought it used, so no warranty. Thanks for any advice!
Have you ever encountered that card trick? It seems like once you swapped the card, the machine would flag it as an outdated one from a decade ago, making me question its effectiveness. Even if it does function, it isn't officially supported.
It's unlikely the system will show up or boot when secure boot is active in BIOS. You should check if you can modify the BIOS settings, start by disconnecting the battery and power cable, then press the start button several times before reconnecting the power source to see if it appears.
The GT210 is fully functional now. It has been updated to work with UEFI and modern systems.
I mean you don’t notice anything happening while the PC is powered on, but it still appears to start up. Or you see it begin the process and then suddenly stops showing anything. If this happens, it might be because the card isn’t working properly or the drivers are outdated. If it started but then disappears from view, you likely installed the hardware and updated Windows, which introduced broken components. If it never shows up at all, the card might be dead.
It's likely HP includes a list of approved GPUs for that device, and the 210 might be missing since it wasn't anticipated to be included during production, especially considering its early disposal as e-waste.
From the start, what I noticed online about NVIDIA is that the first card with UEFI BIOS support is from the 700 series. You could upgrade the VBios, but if this hasn't been done before on this model, it might have been sitting in a warehouse for over a decade. Since it's an OEM machine, it's possible it doesn't even have a CSPM option in the BIOS. If that's the case, the best approach would be to clear the CMOS. I can't complain about not supporting a card that's over 10 years old, even if it's new—it might just be considered outdated.
I attempted to reset the CMOS but had no success. The GT210 is brand new, coming from Amazon in its original packaging. It seems the device isn't responding at all. When the three HDDs were connected, it produced audio signals through separate speakers after startup—still no output. I'm not sure what else to try.
Using SiliconMagician, I prepare a few steps before inserting the new card. I grab a pencil with a clean eraser or a block eraser. Power down the machine and cut off all power, including disconnecting any connected devices. Ground the power supply and remove the graphics card. Inspect the slot where the card was removed for debris or bent pins—this is uncommon. Clean the bottom contacts with the eraser, then use denatured alcohol to wipe them. If you don’t have a PC vacuum, blow air through the card slot. Place the card carefully, ensuring the rear edge is in position and it’s fully seated. Many people skip these steps and the card won’t function even in BIOS. If it still doesn’t work, try another machine or swap in a different known working card. If you can’t get BIOS to display, reset the BIOS through the motherboard’s Jumper if supported. Retry all cards. Keep in mind, if a working card fails on your board, it may indicate damage during removal or reinsertion—especially since I’ve only had one broken motherboard in 35 years. Good luck!