PLEASE HELP ! Why can't I install AGP 8x GPU on AGP 4x slot ? :-(

  • Thread starter Thread starter Vincent
  • Start date Start date
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Vincent

Hello everybody !

I'm in dispair :-(

My PC-config is a motherboard SOLTEK SL75DRV5 - VIA KT333/VT8233A, AGP 4x.
I have a GPU GeForce4 MX 440 (64Mo, AGP 4x) which was installed easily.
Now I want to replace it by a GeForce FX5200 (128Mo, AGP 8x).
It should be also easy to install it, but I can't. I use Windows XP SP2.

I uninstall the current GPU, then I restart and follow the "hardware install
processing" : I install the last nVidia driver but at the end, I've got the
message "can't install" (but XP does not tell me why ;-)).

I installed the latest VIA chipset drivers version.

Any suggestion ? I start to think that my motherboard does not support AGP
3.0 (AGP 8x), although I did not find any such trouble on Internet
(everybody seem to be sure that it's always possible to install a GPU AGP 8x
on an AGP 4x slot)...

Please help me...

Vincent
 
Hello everybody !

I'm in dispair :-(

My PC-config is a motherboard SOLTEK SL75DRV5 - VIA KT333/VT8233A, AGP 4x.
I have a GPU GeForce4 MX 440 (64Mo, AGP 4x) which was installed easily.
Now I want to replace it by a GeForce FX5200 (128Mo, AGP 8x).
Click to expand...

Why? FX5200 isn't what I'd call much of an upgrade, but I
guess if you had it just sitting around collecting dust, it
is a bit better...

It should be also easy to install it, but I can't. I use Windows XP SP2.

I uninstall the current GPU,
Click to expand...

I have no idea what you mean.
Does the prior statement mean "you removed the video card
from the system having doing nothing else yet, only powering
off the system"? If not, what exactly does it mean?

We need very specific details to troubleshoot some problems.
It can't hurt.
then I restart and follow the "hardware install
processing" : I install the last nVidia driver but at the end, I've got the
message "can't install" (but XP does not tell me why ;-)).
Click to expand...

1) With GF4MX installed, go into Add/Remove Programs and
uninstall the nVidia video driver.

2) Turn off system and uninstall the card with AC power
disconnected.

3) Install new card, plug AC power back in and boot to
windows.

4) When the new hardware wizard starts, if it does, just
cancel it. If you aren't running the latest version of
DirectX, ver. 9c, install that first... available from
Microsoft. If you have antivirus programs running, disable
them and leave them disabled before installing DX9c and only
enable again after the FX5200 is working with new driver.

5) Reboot after DX9c install. Install newest nVidia
Detonator driver from http://www.nvidia.com Do not install
some very old driver on a CD that came with the card and if
you have already, uninstall it from Add/Remove programs.

I installed the latest VIA chipset drivers version.
Click to expand...

That is probably not necessary but if the rest of the system
seems to work still, you might as well leave those
installed.

Any suggestion ? I start to think that my motherboard does not support AGP
3.0 (AGP 8x), although I did not find any such trouble on Internet
(everybody seem to be sure that it's always possible to install a GPU AGP 8x
on an AGP 4x slot)...
Click to expand...

No it does not support 8X AGP, it has an AGP Universal (up
to 4X) slot. That is fine, it does support an FX5200, it
will merely run in 4X mode which is little if any
performance loss.


If all else fails check Event Viewer.
 
1) With GF4MX installed, go into Add/Remove Programs and
uninstall the nVidia video driver.

2) Turn off system and uninstall the card with AC power
disconnected.

3) Install new card, plug AC power back in and boot to
windows.
Click to expand...

I did those points, of course.
4) When the new hardware wizard starts, if it does, just
cancel it. If you aren't running the latest version of
DirectX, ver. 9c, install that first... available from
Microsoft. If you have antivirus programs running, disable
them and leave them disabled before installing DX9c and only
enable again after the FX5200 is working with new driver.
Click to expand...

DX9c was already installed.
If anti-virus may disturb the installation process, what about the (XP)
firewall ?
5) Reboot after DX9c install. Install newest nVidia
Detonator driver from http://www.nvidia.com Do not install
some very old driver on a CD that came with the card and if
you have already, uninstall it from Add/Remove programs.
Click to expand...

Detonator ? I downloaded ForceWare 81.98, the latest nVidia driver if you
follow the instructions on the www.nvidia.com web site (in the "download
drivers" menu, I simply chose "Graphics Driver", then "GeForce", then
"Windows XP")... I saw nothing about "detonator" there...
No it does not support 8X AGP, it has an AGP Universal (up
to 4X) slot. That is fine, it does support an FX5200, it
will merely run in 4X mode which is little if any
performance loss.
Click to expand...

OK. But shouldn't install something else or activate something in the BIOS ?
 
Another question : is it necessary to uninstall the GeForce4 MX 440 driver
before connecting the GeForce FX 5200, since the drivers are the same ?
(nVidia ForceWare 81.98)
 
Another question : is it necessary to uninstall the GeForce4 MX 440 driver
before connecting the GeForce FX 5200, since the drivers are the same ?
(nVidia ForceWare 81.98)
Click to expand...

Yes.

1. Uninstall current graphics driver.
2. Power down.
3. Replace card.
4. Power up.
5. When XP detects new hardware and offers to install drivers,
cancel.
6. Install latest graphics driver.

That's the bog-standard method for swapping out your graphics card. As
another poster mentioned, your 8X card should run just fine in a 4X
slot.
 
I did those points, of course.


DX9c was already installed.
If anti-virus may disturb the installation process, what about the (XP)
firewall ?


Detonator ? I downloaded ForceWare 81.98, the latest nVidia driver if you
follow the instructions on the www.nvidia.com web site (in the "download
drivers" menu, I simply chose "Graphics Driver", then "GeForce", then
"Windows XP")... I saw nothing about "detonator" there...


OK. But shouldn't install something else or activate something in the BIOS ?
Click to expand...

Detonator was the original name for the video drivers. When nViidia came out
with the NForce chipset, they renamed the drivers to Forceware.
 
Another question : is it necessary to uninstall the GeForce4 MX 440 driver
before connecting the GeForce FX 5200, since the drivers are the same ?
(nVidia ForceWare 81.98)
Click to expand...

YES! That is the accepted and preferred method.


Head over to www.guru3d.com and check thru the forums.

Locate and download Driver Cleaner Pro, so as to completely "clear" out / wipe
the nVidiia drivers from your system. Then, try to install your new 5200
video card (I have successfully installed 2 of these into both of my 2 PCs at
home. Each only has a 4x AGP slot.)
 
The thing is, the FX 5200 seems to be recognized since when I start to
install the nVidia driver, the message is something like "GeForce FX 5200
installing...". But at the end (when all files seems to be installed), the
final message is (in French) "Impossible d'installer le matériel"
(installing the device is impossible), instead of "completed".
Then it seems that something is missing, but WHAT ?
 
Head over to www.guru3d.com and check thru the forums.

I'll have a look at this site... Thank you.
Locate and download Driver Cleaner Pro, so as to completely "clear" out /
wipe
the nVidiia drivers from your system. Then, try to install your new 5200
video card (I have successfully installed 2 of these into both of my 2 PCs
at
home. Each only has a 4x AGP slot.)
Click to expand...

Which driver did you use to install it ?
(maybe the latest nVidia driver is not the good one)
 
I did those points, of course.
Click to expand...


Did you do them in that order?
You might then try an "nVidia video driver cleaner", Google
should find something. After having uninstalled from
add/remove and cleaned out the driver, then power off and
install new card. you might instead have a windows problem
and if so, a windows newsgroup would better advise on the
resolution.


DX9c was already installed.
If anti-virus may disturb the installation process, what about the (XP)
firewall ?
Click to expand...

No the firewall should not effect it.
Reinstall DX9c... nevermind that it was already, "sometimes"
it gets corrupt (missing files) and should be reinstalled
before the new video driver whenever there is such a
problem.


Detonator ? I downloaded ForceWare 81.98, the latest nVidia driver if you
follow the instructions on the www.nvidia.com web site (in the "download
drivers" menu, I simply chose "Graphics Driver", then "GeForce", then
"Windows XP")... I saw nothing about "detonator" there...
Click to expand...

That is a Detonator driver, you did fine.
However, sometimes newest driver versions are also a
problem, contain new bugs that the older ones didnt. For
that reason I now suggest an older, 7n.nn series driver.
http://www.Guru3d.com among other 'sites has several older
versions... not too old, I wouldn't bother with anything
older than 60.00 and a late 7n.nn series would probably do
fine IF that were the problem.

OK. But shouldn't install something else or activate something in the BIOS ?
Click to expand...

Not if your bios is already set to use 4X mode.
Even if it weren't, whatever was working fine with the GF4MX
should still work fine with the FX5200.

Once you get the nVIdia driver installed, google for
"Coolbits2" which will find a registry file you can merge to
open up a hidden menu in Display Properities that will show
you which AGP rate the system is operating in. It might
even appear without having to add the Coolbits2 reg file, I
dont' recall as I always add it- never does any harm, just
shows more settings and information.
 
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