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Author Topic: Calling all hardware geeks - need help on a vid card install *FIXED!!*  (Read 1575 times)

Brad Johnson

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Calling all hardware geeks - need help on a vid card install *FIXED!!*
« on: November 18, 2008, 03:18:55 PM »
Dell Dimension 2100

ATI VisionTek Radeon 2400 Pro AGP 8x

Physical install went fine.  Machine fired up and at least had a picture.  However, it comes up as a "VGA Compatible" card.  The ATI driver installer will not complete the install.  It keeps coming back and saying that it cannot find the hardware needed to complete the installation.

I've tried using the CD that came with the card as well as downloading the driver suite from the ATI tech support site.  No dice either way.

ATI's web site is supremely unhelpful (not suprising) and their tech support center is closed until later this afternoon.  Any of you hardware nerds run into a problem like this?

Brad
« Last Edit: November 19, 2008, 04:39:22 PM by Brad Johnson »
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slugcatcher

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Re: Calling all hardware geeks - need help on a vid card install
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2008, 03:26:38 PM »
Did you uninstall the drivers from the last video card first? Are you using the visiontek drivers or ati drivers?
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KPT

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Re: Calling all hardware geeks - need help on a vid card install
« Reply #2 on: November 18, 2008, 03:44:41 PM »
Do you have the chipset drivers for the motherboard installed?
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Calumus

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Re: Calling all hardware geeks - need help on a vid card install
« Reply #3 on: November 18, 2008, 08:03:00 PM »
Ditto on removing the old drivers before turning off the machine and installing the new card, especially if you're going from nvidia to ati. Were you actually able to download the drivers from ati, or was the site not available?  Was your old card an ati as well?
Shawn
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Sergeant Bob

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Re: Calling all hardware geeks - need help on a vid card install
« Reply #4 on: November 18, 2008, 08:34:22 PM »
I did quick search on the Dell Dimension 2100 and it said it originally came with onboard video. Did yours come with onboard video, and if so, did you check the BIOS to ensure the onboard video is disabled?

Like they said, drivers too. It would be a good idea to make sure all your drivers are up to date, to include the motherboard drivers.
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Hawkmoon

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Re: Calling all hardware geeks - need help on a vid card install
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2008, 08:56:23 PM »
If the motherboard has an AGP slot, then it doesn't have on-board video. However, I just finished working on a Dell Dimension 4100 with dead video. Ultimately discovered that the AGP card wasn't dead, the AGP slot was dead. Bought a mid-range ATI card that fits the standard slots and it works. Of course, it'll never be suitable for super fast or high-end graphics, but for normal uses it'll chug along okay.

Dell's motherboards aren't the greatest. I suspect you may have a bad slot. Although -- if you're getting any video at all, I guess that means the slot can't be dead.
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AZRedhawk44

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Re: Calling all hardware geeks - need help on a vid card install
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2008, 09:06:01 PM »
Silly question:

Is the monitor still plugged into the built in onboard video port, but the new video card is installed?

Make sure monitor is plugged in to the new video card's VGA output.

Also... going from NVidia chipsets to ATI chipsets can be a real ain in the pass.  Often times it's best to reinstall the whole OS to eliminate weird driver problems.
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Calumus

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Re: Calling all hardware geeks - need help on a vid card install
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2008, 09:13:34 PM »
Slot's not dead, it sounds like he can see everything. He just can't get the proper driver to install and is running @ 640x480 in 16bit color. Before throwing the baby out with the bathwater, give removing all drivers a shot, rebooting, then trying to install the new ones. Have the file siting on your desktop so its easy to get to when Windows pops up its "New hardware found" . As an aside Brad, you did unplug the PC and ground yourself before popping the card in right? Cheers,
Shawn
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Gewehr98

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Re: Calling all hardware geeks - need help on a vid card install
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2008, 09:25:10 PM »
Quote
If the motherboard has an AGP slot, then it doesn't have on-board video.

That's not true.

I just upgraded a 2.0Ghz P4 Dell Optiplex that was previously used in an office environment. I installed an ATI Radeon 9600XT into the empty AGP slot, so the new owner could play Unreal Tournament 3 and WarCrack.  I even put one of those little plastic caps on the built-in video connector so he wouldn't make the mistake of plugging his monitor into that vs. the video card.   
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Re: Calling all hardware geeks - need help on a vid card install
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2008, 09:53:41 PM »
Second on purging old video drivers.
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Brad Johnson

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Re: Calling all hardware geeks - need help on a vid card install
« Reply #10 on: November 19, 2008, 03:24:01 PM »
I purged the drivers and uninstalled the NVidia card throught the Ad/Remove hardware function before shutting off the machine.  Yes, I grounded myself (seven years in the tech sector ingrains that into you!).  I guess I'll break down and call ATI's tech support, much as I hate too.

Brad
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Brad Johnson

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Re: Calling all hardware geeks - need help on a vid card install
« Reply #11 on: November 19, 2008, 04:42:43 PM »
Fixed it!

Turns out a batch of the VisionTek 2400 HD cards went out with the wrong driver pack, and the driver update from the ATI support page only updates for the AGP PCI/e cards.  A trip to the dedicated VisionTek support site fixed the problem.  The new drivers loaded without a hitch and everything is running better than ever.

Sooo... if you buy a VisionTek Radeon 2400 HD AGP 8x card, visit the VISIONTEK page and get the driver updates before doing anything.

Brad
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It's all about the pancakes, people.
"And he thought cops wouldn't chase... a STOLEN DONUT TRUCK???? That would be like Willie Nelson ignoring a pickup full of weed."
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