Can't install any video card in Dell

RandomThotsRandomThots
edited October 2004 in Hardware
Hey Helpful People,

I have tried to install two video cards in my Dell and have failed both times.

I believe the problem is that there is no way to disable the built-in video card.

In the Bios you have the options, 'Auto' and, 'Use On Board'. I have tried both and neither work. 'Disable' is NOT an option!

The card I'm currently trying is a Radeon two-headed thing, jeez I'd like to get it going, any help appreciated.

Driver pretended to install without problems, but when i boot it says, 'driver not installed properly, ATI Control center shutting down'.

IDeas? Thanks, Mark

Comments

  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited September 2004
    Are you positive there is no jumper on the motherboard to entirely disable the onboard card? What happens when you have the card installed and boot the system?

    Also, it may be helpful to know exactly what model of video card you are using.
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited September 2004
    also, what model is the Dell?
  • RandomThotsRandomThots
    edited September 2004
    Hey,

    Vid Card: VisionTek 64mb Dual Monitor Graphics Card. ATI Radeon 7K

    Computer: Dimension 2400 . Using XP.

    How would I know if I have a jumper that disables the card? A quick scan of the Doc that came with it reveals no such technical information.

    If I put in the new card and boot with two monitors plugged into it, one monitor works normally, the other gets no signal. When I right clicked on the desktop, got into their driver configuration, it showed only one monitor as being attached, with no way of telling it there was really two attached.

    Hmmm....I haven't tried putting one monitor on each card....I am guessing I will get the same image on both monitors, and no way to spread the desktop between them. (Display/Settings does not show the possibility of 2 monitors like it does on the machines at work.)


    Thanks,

    Mark
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited September 2004
    So it sounds like the card is working, just not the "Dual header" ability. Which leads to me believe you have yet to try installing drivers for the card.

    What do the display properties say when Windows is booted with the Radeon? Do both the onboard and the Radeon cards show up in Device Manager? If not, which one does? Oh, and what OS are you using (Home or Pro)?
  • RandomThotsRandomThots
    edited September 2004
    Another thing I didn't try.

    What if I disable the onboard card from the Device Manager? Is there still a way to boot into Safe Mode in these modern OSs?

    It is apparently possible, at least that option is there in Dev Manager.....if that works, then why would people tell you to use the bios or jumpers? Is it somehow not as effective?

    Got the card all pulled out, will have to try new ideas tomorrow.

    Thanks,

    Markj
  • RandomThotsRandomThots
    edited September 2004
    I did use the CD to install the drivers. There were no errors, but it said reboot to finish. When I did, it came up and said something like, 'driver not installed properly, shutting down control center'. Because the install went smoothly the first time, I have not bothered trying it a second time.

    Yes, both cards showed up in Device Manager, both said they were working properly there. No exclamation points or yellow icons.

    But I could not get the new card to acknowledge the second monitor.

    I suppose it is possible that everything is installed ok and I need to figure out how to configure it.....but that 'control center shutting down' does not sound right.....

    -Mark
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited September 2004
    I disable the onboard card as a last resort (if the BIOS refuses to disable it entirely and make it invisible to Windows). Having it disabled while the other card is in there (assuming it shows up in Device Manager at all) would be a good idea to keep it from getting in the way.

    To get into Safe Mode, repeatedly press F8 after the BIOS POST. You'll be brought to a boot menu, at which point you can select Safe Mode.

    Oh, and be sure you're using the latest drivers from ATI.
  • RandomThotsRandomThots
    edited September 2004
    It is xp professional, much to my surprise. Then why is it the xp machines at work show two monitors in their display settings, even when they dont have a dual header card, yet mine never shows two monitors? Most puzzling.....

    -Mark
  • RandomThotsRandomThots
    edited September 2004
    Jeez, latest drivers, now there is something obvious that I should have tried.

    Okay, at least I have many more ideas for when I have the energy to tackle it again.

    Any ideas why my Display properties/Settings shows one large monitor in it, while at work I see two blue rectangles labeled 1 and 2 which let you configure two monitors? I have all the Windows updates...it does not seem to be related to whether you actually have two monitors.....hmmm maybe some graphics drivers do that and others don't.......

    Thanks all,

    -Mark
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited September 2004
    Mine only shows two monitors when both monitors are plugged in, connected to the video card and turned on BEFORE the booting process.
  • JChretienJChretien Vancouver, BC, Canada
    edited October 2004
    interesting. My R9600 shows 2 monitors all the time, even before i hooked up my 2nd monitor... all i had to do was plug in the 2nd monitor, and tell it to tile windows across the 2nd screen.. or was it extend desktop onto 2nd monitor.. i forget ^^, but what i remember is that it was a fairly simple process
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