HP computer, 256 RAM, 2.x GHz processor, XP Home.
We installed a GeForce video card into one of his 3 empty slots. (Not AGP, the other one :p)
He’s tried booting up with and without the installation CD, and the only screen we see is the boot-up screen with the blue bars going across the bottom of the screen (Windows users know what I’m talking about), then the screen goes blank. Any suggestions?
Well, dammit. He had the cable for the monitor in the old port when he asked for my help, so I moved it to the video card one. I then posted this post, and then tried switching it back, and it works now.
(I’m guessing that he didn’t turn the computer on or something when he asked me for help? Maybe that would explain why his monitor wasn’t showing anything. :rolleyes: :smack: )
just an aside, but why on earth would anyone want to use a PCI video card (aside from possibility of multiple montiors)…
If I understand the post as written the orgional AGP card was left in and a geforce was then added…that means a PCI geforce card?
if this is true, my $0.02 is to take the PCI card back, get an AGP card, and swap out the old one for a new one…he will be glad he did.
He…uh, doesn’t have an AGP slot. His video before was on-board, so he finally has a video card now.
(He got his computer last week, and embarrassingly enough, he got a 64 MB video card. My laptop came with a 128 meg Radeon.
Now that the on-board video’s not being used, be sure to tell the computer not to steal RAM for the video - this sounds like a rather low-end machine where the video memory is “shared” with system RAM. This is probably going to be a BIOS setting and you’ll need to check the instructions for the exact process.
With all of 256 meg, you can’t stand to lose even the 32 meg or so that the on-board video stole. Also, I’d HIGHLY recommend plugging in some more RAM. Another 256 meg (bringing it to 512 meg total) will make a noticeable difference.
ah, that would be a good reasion for a PCI video card…thanks for clearing that up for me.
If by low end, you mean 300 dollars at wal-mart, then, yes. 
I’m not going to screw with his BIOS. He freaks out at small things, and I wouldn’t want to change his computer in any way.
(RAM purchase is in the future. He bought the video card to play FFXI, but his system can’t handle it.)