Graphics card help!
01-03-2003 | 09:33 PM
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From: McComb, MS
Graphics card help!
I Hate Computers.....at least when they do not work right.
I need some help so if anyone can help, please do.
I am in over my head on this one. Here is what I have:
Compac Prosignia Pentium III 600Mhz 128Mb Ram, plenty of hard drive space. I just got G2 yesterday, was ready to try it out. I installed, updated it and then opened it to run......good sound NO picture just black were the stuff on the monitor is suppose to be. I got this message that tells me the graphics card on my computer (it was a nvidia card but older I guess) would not work with this software was switching to HAL (slow?)
So, then I rush off to the mall to get the correct card. Talk to the salesman tell him what I've got and I buy a nvidia Geforce 4 64mb
card.
Back at the house: uninstalled G2, uninstalled old card- removed it, installed new Ge Force 4 card (read instructions and installed as told) loaded graphics card software and was told to restart computer. This is where my problem is: When the computer restarted it comes up but the screen goes distorted where I cannot see anything to use computer. I cannot tell where the mouse is pointing or anything. I looked in the instructions that came with the card for a tech # to call for help-Not one in there anywhere. It just tells you to go online for help, well since my computer is now totally useless online help doesn't do me much good.
So the next thing I do is go into the next room and scream at my wife for no apparent reason and go to bed without even seeing what G2 looks like. This sucks.
I am on a work computer to post this thread hopefully someone can help me.
(P.S. can anyone tell me why the picture on the side of the box shows the Ge Force Card with a cooling fan and stuff--the one that was in the box looked nothing like it -no fan? What gives?)
Thanks,
scudrunner
I need some help so if anyone can help, please do.
I am in over my head on this one. Here is what I have:
Compac Prosignia Pentium III 600Mhz 128Mb Ram, plenty of hard drive space. I just got G2 yesterday, was ready to try it out. I installed, updated it and then opened it to run......good sound NO picture just black were the stuff on the monitor is suppose to be. I got this message that tells me the graphics card on my computer (it was a nvidia card but older I guess) would not work with this software was switching to HAL (slow?)
So, then I rush off to the mall to get the correct card. Talk to the salesman tell him what I've got and I buy a nvidia Geforce 4 64mb
card.
Back at the house: uninstalled G2, uninstalled old card- removed it, installed new Ge Force 4 card (read instructions and installed as told) loaded graphics card software and was told to restart computer. This is where my problem is: When the computer restarted it comes up but the screen goes distorted where I cannot see anything to use computer. I cannot tell where the mouse is pointing or anything. I looked in the instructions that came with the card for a tech # to call for help-Not one in there anywhere. It just tells you to go online for help, well since my computer is now totally useless online help doesn't do me much good.
So the next thing I do is go into the next room and scream at my wife for no apparent reason and go to bed without even seeing what G2 looks like. This sucks.
I am on a work computer to post this thread hopefully someone can help me.
(P.S. can anyone tell me why the picture on the side of the box shows the Ge Force Card with a cooling fan and stuff--the one that was in the box looked nothing like it -no fan? What gives?)
Thanks,
scudrunner
01-03-2003 | 09:49 PM
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Hmmm...
What operating system are you on?
Your monitor might not support the high resolution the card is trying to attain. You would have to set the resolution and color quality in SAFE mode.
Have you tried to start you computer in 'SAFE' mode. SAFE mode will load only default drivers so you can diagnose any problems. Once in SAFE mode, you can check your monitor settings, start with 800x600 with Medium (16 bit) color quality. Now reboot and let it go through its full start–up sequence. If all is good, you can now test you monitor settings to get the near maximum screen size and color quality.
You’ll have to look in your computer manual or motherboard manual to find out which key sequence will allow you to enter SAFE mode. (Not BIOS setup which is usually the DELETE key). SAFE mode can be F2, F4, F8, whatever the manufacturer deems. Let me know how you faired.
Your monitor might not support the high resolution the card is trying to attain. You would have to set the resolution and color quality in SAFE mode.
Have you tried to start you computer in 'SAFE' mode. SAFE mode will load only default drivers so you can diagnose any problems. Once in SAFE mode, you can check your monitor settings, start with 800x600 with Medium (16 bit) color quality. Now reboot and let it go through its full start–up sequence. If all is good, you can now test you monitor settings to get the near maximum screen size and color quality.
You’ll have to look in your computer manual or motherboard manual to find out which key sequence will allow you to enter SAFE mode. (Not BIOS setup which is usually the DELETE key). SAFE mode can be F2, F4, F8, whatever the manufacturer deems. Let me know how you faired.
01-03-2003 | 09:57 PM
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From: Ventura, CA
Graphics card help!
If your operating system is windows98, 98SE, or ME holding down the CTRL key as the system comes up will also get you to the menu which will allow you to select Safe Mode.
01-03-2003 | 10:12 PM
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From: McComb, MS
Graphics card help!
I meant to include my OS
I have Windows 2000 Professional (this computer was originally at my office)
I am going to try going into safe mode and resetting the display setting like you said-Man I hope it is that easy.
Scudrunner
I have Windows 2000 Professional (this computer was originally at my office)
I am going to try going into safe mode and resetting the display setting like you said-Man I hope it is that easy.
Scudrunner
01-05-2003 | 07:59 AM
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From: McComb, MS
it works
I got it to work!
I tried the suggestions given on this thread and others. I downloaded a couple drivers to try them on my OS to see if it would fix the problem. Nothing fixed it. Finally I got so frustrated I removed the graphics card and stuck it back in the box to take it back to the store, but then changed my mind at the last second and reinstalled it and *poof* Windows loaded normally! I was able to load G2, updated it and play! Wow! Graphics are great! I just hope it lasts! I am almost afraid to shut my computer down, but for now everything is o.k.
scudrunner
I tried the suggestions given on this thread and others. I downloaded a couple drivers to try them on my OS to see if it would fix the problem. Nothing fixed it. Finally I got so frustrated I removed the graphics card and stuck it back in the box to take it back to the store, but then changed my mind at the last second and reinstalled it and *poof* Windows loaded normally! I was able to load G2, updated it and play! Wow! Graphics are great! I just hope it lasts! I am almost afraid to shut my computer down, but for now everything is o.k.
scudrunner
01-05-2003 | 09:27 PM
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From: Tacoma,
WA
Graphics card help!
That senerio sounds all to familiar here in this forum. It seems to be a must to get a new video card and get it up and running properly.
My guru computer friend installed a new ATI Xpert 128 pci card for me yesterday. He had to do a lot of fiddling because my computer had "onboard" graphics and came from an office setting origionally too. Any comments about my ATI card??? good or bad? It works great with the G2 so far and has increased the speed and color of all my onscreen graphics....:-)
Ernie
My guru computer friend installed a new ATI Xpert 128 pci card for me yesterday. He had to do a lot of fiddling because my computer had "onboard" graphics and came from an office setting origionally too. Any comments about my ATI card??? good or bad? It works great with the G2 so far and has increased the speed and color of all my onscreen graphics....:-)
Ernie
