plain 32 bit, PCI video card

  • Thread starter Thread starter lbrtchx
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lbrtchx

I am fixing a friends computer and he doesn't really care about the
latest technology (for his needs what he has is just fine)
~
The thing is, as I understand it (you certainlky may know better then
I do ;-)), that he needs a 32 bit PCI Video card because the built-in
video output is messed up. It is not recognizing monitors and it would
only display in an ugly 4-bit mode, when you upgrade Windows XP with
SP2. I think it is a windows problem, because when I boot the box
using knoppix video output seems to be fine
~
This is something weird I had never encounter before and I don't know
why does it happen and how to fix it.
~
Where can I find that type of card or fix this problem within
WIndows
~
lbrtchx
 
I am fixing a friends computer and he doesn't really care about the
latest technology (for his needs what he has is just fine)
~
The thing is, as I understand it (you certainlky may know better then
I do ;-)), that he needs a 32 bit PCI Video card because the built-in
video output is messed up. It is not recognizing monitors and it would
only display in an ugly 4-bit mode, when you upgrade Windows XP with
SP2. I think it is a windows problem, because when I boot the box
using knoppix video output seems to be fine
~
This is something weird I had never encounter before and I don't know
why does it happen and how to fix it.
~
Where can I find that type of card or fix this problem within
WIndows
~
lbrtchx
Click to expand...

Ingredients for a Windows install -

1) Install Windows.
2) Install SP2 if not already present.
3) Install chipset drivers. The chipset driver helps the
chipset internal bridge to AGP protocol to be recognized.
Some chipset drivers will already be in Windows. But
to be safe, you should be able to install them.
4) Some version of DirectX. Some video card install disks,
actually come with the minimum version of DirectX installer,
also on the video card install CD. You can also download
DirectX from Microsoft, but between all the other software
you're installing, you probably already have a pretty recent
version.
5) Video card driver. If the video card driver is missing, maybe that
is the reason for a "4 bit mode". Or, if the driver refuses to load.
There are "driver cleaner" applications, but simply using the
uninstaller in Add/Remove should also work (assuming you haven't
been playing around, or there was not another video card driver
already installed at some point in the past). Uninstall the video
card driver and reinstall, after the SP2 step in (2).

Newegg still lists PCI cards, so they can still be purchased.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+1069609642&Subcategory=48

Paul
 
I am fixing a friends computer and he doesn't really care about the
latest technology (for his needs what he has is just fine)
~
The thing is, as I understand it (you certainlky may know better then
I do ;-)), that he needs a 32 bit PCI Video card because the built-in
video output is messed up. It is not recognizing monitors and it would
only display in an ugly 4-bit mode, when you upgrade Windows XP with
SP2. I think it is a windows problem, because when I boot the box
using knoppix video output seems to be fine
~
This is something weird I had never encounter before and I don't know
why does it happen and how to fix it.
~
Where can I find that type of card or fix this problem within
WIndows
~
lbrtchx
Click to expand...

The video board or video chipset needs drivers. W/out them you can
sometimes fudge but finding a substitute, tho best to have the whole
package, which virtually all video cards include. The other aspect is
the monitor, which if unidentified by the OS/XP either limits or
exceeds optimal/desirable settings. Looks just like garbage for
practical intents.

You may have a perfectly good video chipset on the MB, like a car w/
out gas, without its drivers that won't do much.

In the event I did find the MB video less than stellar - I've found
good substitution boards here. Bit of a grab-bag, some used and from
office environments, although there's an occasional last-year's
standout listed for cheap thrills and getting by.

http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=VCD

Newegg also has open-box. I've got a couple bad ones, though, and
tend shy away now. Overclockers abusively blowing video cards off and
then returning them, which Newegg doesn't bother to recertify. Not so
with CompGeeks - they work "as advertised" for the most part in my
experience. No phone calls for a fine-print reminder when UPS comes
up with an interesting return-shipping rate.
 
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