GPU Upgrade gone wrong

About a week ago I started doing research on upgrading my gpu from my 260m. I googled upgrades and it brought me to this forum where Someone had posted a list of compatible hardware upgrades. The one I chose was the 285m. I did some research on the 285m and found it was pretty similar just a little bit better and I did not think I would have the issues I am having. The reason for the upgrade was my 260m was taking a huge dump and I needed something in a hurry and cheap. Unfortunately the computer doesn't even make it past the alienware head upon startup and that is super rare if it even makes it that far. Not one time have I successfully gone past the alienhead. Currently I am using my failing 260m and it is killing me. I purchased the card on ebay from a seller that looked like they were really good and trustworthy. The card did come with a 60 day warranty

So to specify the problem: Computer boots up, lights come on and 90% of the time it stays black screen and reboots over and over and over. 5% of the time screen comes on with just a black background and reboots. the other 5%
I see the alienhead and then it reboots continuously.

For the past two days I have been relentlessly researching the problem with no solution. . .

So any thoughts?

Specs:
Processor: Intel core I7 Q740
Ram: 8GB Ram
OS: 7 Home premium 64-bit
Bios: A08

 

Sounds like a bad card. Consider the warranty. If you want to keep trying it do you by any chance have another laptop to test the card in? You can rule out the bad card theory if you can get it to post. You could get a vastly superior card for a low price. Consider any of the 500 or 600 series the laptop is extremely upgradable which is why I think it may be a bad card. Basically if you can get the heat sink on securely it works in these things. Good luck to you.

 

Unfortunately I do not have any other laptops to test it out on. . Hmm, I suppose i'll just have to start looking for other cards then, but I do want buying another card to be my last resort so I will be working on this problem through the weekend and starting the RMA process on Monday. so if anybody has any ideas or suggestions they are greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.



----EDIT------

I was looking up what the light error codes for the scroll lock, num lock and caps lock are. All three are flashing when I use the 285m which apparently means a system board component is faulty but when I use the 260m everything works fine. Any ideas?

 

Return that card pronto. Not a good upgrade at all these days.

Don't consider anything slower than a 770m from nvidia or 7970m from amd at this point.