Curse

laurana half elf · Jul 10, 2009, 04:04 AM // 04:04

So i just bought a Radeon 4550 HD video card for my computer.

The computer is about two years old and i wasn't sure if i needed a PCI-express or APG video card.

My computer is a Compaq Presario running Windows XP media edition. I wasn't sure which type of video card i needed so i bought a PCI express and would return if it didn't fit. I got home, opened my computer and put in the video card ( I assume that it needed a PCI - express because the card fit into the slot perfectly). I booted up the computer and put the software disc into the slot and ran the driver. The driver finished, asked me to restart computer and I did. I assumed that was it and i booted my computer back up.

My computer booted back up without a problem and i logged onto guildwars. There was absolutely no change. The graphics were still bad and it lagged terribly when i turned them up. Even when on High they still looked like crap. So then i realized maybe i have a graphics card already that i need to uninstall before this works. So i went to the change/remove hardware but the biggest problem was i didn't know what the video card was called so i couldn't uninstall it. Finally i found the video card and it was a NVIDIA Geforce something or other. I uninstalled the driver (i'm pretty sure that's what i uninstalled) and thats when the shit hit the fan. I went onto BIOS and changed the video card enable thing from PCI to PCI-E.

When i started the computer again i got an error saying asking for a disk check or scan. I did that and logged on.

Now this is where the real problem starts all the icons and the start menu was "big" and the resolution was turned down all the way. I checked and i had no video card on my computer, so i deleted the old one and the new ATI Radeon 4550 $100 video card that i bought (Which is inside the computer plugged in) is not working. So i have no registered video card now.

How can i get the new one to work? I tried reinstalling but nothing happened. The manual said that it might need additional power but theres no plug on the video to give additional power. ALSO on the the part of the video card that goes through the back of the computer, there are two plugs, one is blue and looks like the monitor plug on the computer, the other is a white one. What do I do with these plugs?

Please guys I really need your help with this because i went from having a computer with bad graphics to having a computer with a really good graphics card that doesn't work.

Help me out guys!!!

please??

laurana half elf · Jul 10, 2009, 04:26 AM // 04:26

update: i opened the computer while it was running and the fan on the graphics card is spinning so it is recognized by the computer at least, i guess.

laurana half elf · Jul 10, 2009, 04:27 AM // 04:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Improvavel

It is probably a built in the motherboard graphics card. You will have to disable it in the BIOS.

Look there for an option similar to "on board graphics" or "on board vga".

More information about your system will help, as in what motherboard model.

Ohh i remember the first time i went into the BIOS the video option had three options initself, PCI, PCI-E, and Onboard. I have tried all three and nothing works

Improvavel · Jul 10, 2009, 04:45 AM // 04:45

Download a program called driver sweeper - http://downloads.guru3d.com/Guru3D--...%29_d1655.html.

Use it to remove all nvidia drivers.

Then disable graphics onboard.

Then install the new graphic card.

Also that card is too expensive - $100 for a 4550? No way.

moriz · Jul 10, 2009, 04:46 AM // 04:46

ummm... you do know you have to plug your monitor TO your new graphic card, right?

if you don't, the system will still default to your onboard graphics.

and yes, you got seriously ripped off on that card. $100 is almost HD 4850 range.

Brett Kuntz · Jul 10, 2009, 05:09 AM // 05:09

Plug your monitor into the new graphics card, and set your BIOS option to PCI-E.

laurana half elf · Jul 10, 2009, 11:41 PM // 23:41

Thanks so much guys i got it working.

and the card was 87.99 originally i just rounded up to 100 because of tax.

deluxe · Jul 10, 2009, 11:44 PM // 23:44

Hah, you can get a 4850 for less.

Elder III · Jul 11, 2009, 12:09 AM // 00:09

well a 4850 is still going to run $100 or so with shipping etc... but yeah that is kinda high priced, even if buying at a retailer and not online.... glad you got it working anyways.

Quaker · Jul 16, 2009, 07:28 PM // 19:28

And, a 4850 is most likely going to require a power supply upgrade as well.

moriz · Jul 18, 2009, 03:53 AM // 03:53

but still, it doesn't change the fact that the OP got screwed over quite badly. heck, if we don't want to change the PSU, the OP could've bought a HD4670 for a little less, and easily gain double the performance.

note to everyone: NEVER buy graphic cards from bestbuy/futureshop/staples.

Buster · Jul 18, 2009, 04:17 AM // 04:17

For future reference the best place to go for computer stuff is www.newegg.com .

Snograt · Jul 18, 2009, 02:24 PM // 14:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

note to everyone: NEVER buy graphic cards from bestbuy/futureshop/staples.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster

For future reference the best place to go for computer stuff is www.newegg.com .

For British users, that's "never buy graphics cards from Currys/Maplins/Game" and "the best place to go for computer stuff is www.novatech.co.uk and www.overclockers.co.uk"

I believe that newegg isn't the best option for our many Canadian members either (FoxDirect or something?)

Hmm, maybe we should have a multi-national "where to buy stuff" thread...

moriz · Jul 18, 2009, 03:29 PM // 15:29

tigerdirect or ncix. of course, if you live near a canadacomputers store, that's often the best choice.

and lol at foxdirect. you gotta think bigger and meaner, snograt.