posted on March 23, 2001 11:01:34 AM new
I'm sorry for posting this here but I have been searching the web for an hour and can't find any info for dummies on video cards.
My nephew received three Star Wars computer games yesterday and none of them are playable on his computer because he needs a 8MB Direct 3D Compatible Video Card, which apparently he does not have.
I had my sister open up the computer and there are 2 occupied PCI slots (modem and sound card) and one unoccupied ISA slot (the larger one).
I can't find any info anywhere on a 3D video card that will fit this slot. Is there any such animal? Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks so much.
posted on March 23, 2001 12:23:06 PM new
Go to www.pricewatch.com. Under Multimedia, click Video Cards then ISA. There are only 4 listed and they are all 2MB or less. The best solution might be to get a PCI video card instead.
Alan.
Edited 'cause I can't do html or ubb.
[ edited by sirpaladin on Mar 23, 2001 12:23 PM ]
[ edited by sirpaladin on Mar 23, 2001 12:25 PM ]
[ edited by sirpaladin on Mar 23, 2001 12:26 PM ]
posted on March 23, 2001 01:06:56 PM new
There are a couple of possible options here. You need to find out what the current video is, since it may be as simple as upgrading the drivers (not likely, but maybe if you are lucky). In any case, you need to figure out what the story on the current video is to either upgrade the drivers (try going to the web site of the PC manufacturer if you can), or else disable it so you can add a new video card. Some PCs are smart enough to automatically disable the on-board video if you add another card, sometimes you had to do something else.
Assuming a simple driver upgrade isn't feasible, then the best bet is to get an ISA modem or sound card (or an external modem) and free up one of the PCI slots for a PCI video card.
Do you happen to know the make/model of the PC? If you do and can post it, we can probably find the specs and help out more.
If you do go a new PCI 8meg video card route, most of those cards should support the games. Make sure to get the latest drivers for that card in any case as well.
posted on March 23, 2001 02:28:52 PM new
The computer is an HP Pavillion 4550Z. I found the specs on the HP web site and it indicates that the system has a 2x compatible AGP slot.
Does this mean that I only need buy the AGP card and install it in the AGP slot and no new video card is required?
posted on March 23, 2001 03:42:31 PM new
Hi kerryann. I used to have a Hewlett Packard Pavilion and they have a good forum that you should check out to see if you can find the answer to your question. Here is the URL
http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/eng/gateway_forums.htm Just click on "Home PCs-pavilion" and then find the right model number and enter the forum. It's divided into sections and I think they have one for video cards.
Blanche
[ edited by bhearsch on Mar 23, 2001 03:44 PM ]
posted on March 24, 2001 06:19:57 AM new
According to the HP web site, your PC is supposed to have an open AGP video slot. So, yes, merely purchase an 8meg AGP 3D video card and put it in the open AGP slot. This PC should be smart enough to automagically disable your PCI video, but check the documentation.
The only confusing thing to me is that you described one open ISA slot and two PCI slots taken up by modem and sound. The sound is definitely a PCI card, but from the specs it wasn't clear if that second PCI slot was for the video or modem. Easy enough to check and see where the phone line versus monitor cord was plugging into. The reason I mention this is that if the second PCI slot is taken up by the video card, merely remove that card and put in the AGP card in the agp slot. You didn't seem to see an open AGP slot, but sometimes those slots are a little bit offset from the regular ones, and sometimes a bit hidden by other stuff.
One tip when upgrading your video - set your video mode to standard vga (640X480, 16 colors) before upgrading, since when you change video, you may not be able to see anything otherwise. Once you get the new card in successfully, and win98 recognizes it, then you can reset the resolution to something better.
posted on March 25, 2001 10:03:08 AM new
Thanks everyone. I went over there yesterday, purchased and installed an AGP card and the games he has are working fine.
One of them would freeze up occasionally but this morning, he was able to play it with no trouble.
