Curse

DaSwede · Mar 06, 2006, 01:31 AM // 01:31

I got a nifty laptop now... only bad thing is, that the video card is an Intel(R) 82830M Graphics Controller, but when I'm trying to start Guild Wars it tells me that the game cannot initiate the 3rd card... I have the newest directx installed as well as the newest drivers.. anyone know what could be wrong or how to solve it?

Specs:
Dell Latitude C400
1.2GhZ Pentium III
512 Ram
Intel 830M Graphics Controller

Bloody Rontu · Mar 06, 2006, 01:56 AM // 01:56

512 ram might be your problem, also you may be able to upgrade your graphics card if you have PCI express slots, thats what most cards are. you also need a good bit of memory itself. i no there is a link for minimum requirements which i posted a thread so someone can post that link and you might want to take a look at that. also, before you buy a new graphics card you might want to get it checked out by someone at like COMP USA or BEST BUY or something to make sure you dont buy it then you computer is "bottle necked" that means you cant upgrade your card to much because your computer cant handle it. i dont know what the main problem is but i hoped i was help

NinjaKai · Mar 06, 2006, 02:00 AM // 02:00

One factor might be how many processes you have running at once. It can slow down your running speed a lot. And 512 ram isn't bad. My current laptop runs guildwars just fine at lowest setting. Ofcourse I do look forward to getting my Aurora m7700 with 2GB RAM.

Cheat Commandos · Mar 06, 2006, 02:01 AM // 02:01

Well first of all you cant upgrade a laptop video card yourself, because I'm pretty sure that laptops dont have upgrade slots such as PCI APG and PCIe.

The RAM isn't your problem. Most likely it is your graphics chipset.

JATO · Mar 06, 2006, 08:29 PM // 20:29

RAM is fine... CPU is fine.

Most laptops have 1 either AGP or PCI-Epxress slot internally. Yours is too old to have PCI-Epxress (aka PCIe) so your only chance is AGP.

Why did I say 'chance' ??

The problem is that due to size/heat restrictions, the Video card for each laptop are proprietary. Designed specifically for that laptop. You can't go buying a laptop card and have an elecrtonics store drop it in.

Some budget laptops, although they have the slot.. never had a compatible card designed for them..they used a graphics 'chip' soddered direclty onto the board.

Before spending money on Best Buy or Comp USA.. I'd see if Dell will answer a simple question..
"Does my laptop support an upgraded video card?" (meaning was there ever a card designed for this laptop or is the chip soddered directly to the board.)

Most likely they will say 'NO' and you are pretty much screwed.

Gaming on a laptop is hampered by the lack of universal video cards. Most gaming laptops cost around $2,000 and have true video cards which can be upgraded at least once.
Alienware use to be the only one in this market but now Dell, Sager, Hypersonic, Vodoo, Avatior, Pro-star and such all offer Gaming laptops.

Still.. if you plan on palying the latest games and NOT buying a new lapotp every 2 years..your best bet is a desktop computer which can have it's video card upgraded easier and cheaper then a laptop.

Vedek · Mar 06, 2006, 10:36 PM // 22:36

Question
Will my Intel® Graphics Controller work with Guild Wars?

Answer
The newer Intel® Graphics Controllers - for example, the 915G and the 945G - display Guild Wars very well. Some older Intel Graphics Controllers are not supported and may not run Guild Wars as it was intended. These include:

Desktops:

82865G
82845G
82815
82810
Laptops:

82915GM/GMS
82910GML
82852/82855
82830M
82815
As with any video card problems, you may be able to improve performance by obtaining the latest video drivers located at http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/.

We regret that we are not able to offer support for any components that are below the minimum system specifications. For issues that may arise with the newer cards, the 915G and above, please feel free to submit a support ticket through the "Ask a Question" tab in this Knowledge Base.

kdragonsbane · Mar 07, 2006, 03:15 PM // 15:15

try running the game in a window vs full screen, i have a compaq 9030 with 1gb of ram and 1.8g processor and its a little laggy when there is alot of fighting going on but other then that i have no problems.