No video output mac pro

I recently purchased a second hand mac pro. The 2.66 quad core version. However it didn't come with a graphics card or a HDD. I purchased a second hand graphics card, an XFX HD5870, and a HDD. However I cannot get any video output, i have tried a DVI to VGA adapter connected to an old Dell monitor and a HDMI cable to TV, nothing came up with either, no black screen or anything, they just showed no input. The computer chimes and the hard drive spins up when turned on. The fan on the graphics card also spins. There is no os on the hdd but surely there should still be video output. Any ideas anyone?
Regards Ollie.

I'm going to guess that the 5870 video card you have is the Windows version. There's a Windows and a Mac version of the 5870 video card. It is possible to install some Windows video cards in a Mac Pro...but I think that there's a process to get it to work (Macintosh cards are plug & play).

Also...since the Mac Pro you have is a 1st generation model...it does have limitations in regards to video cards.

Original video cards for first gen. Mac Pro's were the:

- NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT
- ATI Radeon X1900 XT
- NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500

All Mac versions of course.

HTH,

- Nick

Before purchasing the graphics card, I read several forums with people saying they had put the 5870 in their 1,1 macs and so I presumed it would be okay. The bloke I bought the card off had said he had the graphics card in his mac pro before putting it into a windows pc.
Do you know how i can get any sort of output to show up at all?
Regards, Ollie

As I mentioned...you have two hurdles here:

- Windows vs. Mac version of the 5870
- Running a 5870 on a 1st. gen. Mac Pro (which is originally wasn't designed for).

Many folks are thrilled to be able to run a 5870 (Apple version) in a Mac Pro 1st. gen. So if you had the Apple version of the 5870...you would probably be ok. Getting a Windows 5870 to work is a more complex matter. To do this...give this a read:

Install a PC Radeon HD5870 in a Mac Pro 2006, on HardMac.com

- Nick