Computer Hardware question??

[s car go]

Hi all
Thought I would consult this fountain of knowledge,about a non truck related subject in the hope we can get some sensible advice!

Our PC has been having trouble with the graphics card for some time,and last night the monitor went green then pink and finally black,and the monitor is now displaying no video input!!

So,we need to buy a new card,butwhat do I replace it with?

The old one is an ATI X550 EZ 256MB.

I looked at an online guide to replacing the card and it said to download the new driver software,before replacing the card,but we are going to find that a little difficult,because our PC is unuseable at the moment,(wifes got a LT).

Any advice appreciated!!

Cheers

Mark

[Calos]

Hi all
Thought I would consult this fountain of knowledge,about a non truck related subject in the hope we can get some sensible advice!

Our PC has been having trouble with the graphics card for some time,and last night the monitor went green then pink and finally black,and the monitor is now displaying no video input!!

So,we need to buy a new card,butwhat do I replace it with?

The old one is an ATI X550 EZ 256MB.

I looked at an online guide to replacing the card and it said to download the new driver software,before replacing the card,but we are going to find that a little difficult,because our PC is unuseable at the moment,(wifes got a LT).

Any advice appreciated!!

Cheers

Mark

You can still use the machine in VGA mode, wich will look a little legoland but would alow you to download drivers or install the ones supplied.
If you get an nvidia based card it won't overheat an die like the last one; also if you have vista or 7 it will auto install the drivers automaticaly for an Nvidia based card.

peace
cal

[s car go]

You can still use the machine in VGA mode, wich will look a little legoland but would alow you to download drivers or install the ones supplied.
If you get an nvidia based card it won't overheat an die like the last one; also if you have vista or 7 it will auto install the drivers automaticaly for an Nvidia based card.

peace
cal

Thanks Cal
Could you put that in numpty terms for me,how do I use the PC in VGA mode??

[Albannach]

The assumption being that it's the graphics card and not the monitor or the cable? Diagnose first, then buy new parts.

Is that sensible enough for you?

[dieselboy]

Calos,
My nvidia card sits around 100c during normal use.. Are these some kind of super CPU or what? I've been expecting it to go bang for years.

[s car go]

The assumption being that it's the graphics card and not the monitor or the cable? Diagnose first, then buy new parts.

Is that sensible enough for you?

Very sensible Albannach!! And yes, they have been ruled out by plugging into the lap top I am currently working on!!!

When I say numpty terms, I mean I'm not very familiar with the guts of a PC, not that I'm brainless!

Cheers

[Albannach]

Very sensible Albannach!! And yes, they have been ruled out by plugging into the lap top I am currently working on!!!

You should have told us that in the first post then.

The new card will come with the required drivers, no need to download them. As for which one to buy, pick your budget, go to a PC Bucket Shop and buy the best one within your budget.

[s car go]

You should have told us that in the first post then.

The new card will come with the required drivers, no need to download them. As for which one to buy, pick your budget, go to a PC Bucket Shop and buy the best one within your budget.

Fair point!

So does it not matter that the driver for the existing card will be installed when the system boots with a new card installed??

I'm just going to replace with a similiar card as I don't play games or any stuff that requires top end graphics,just web browsing,photos and WP.

Regards

Mark

[Albannach]

Fair point!

So does it not matter that the driver for the existing card will be installed when the system boots with a new card installed??

I'm just going to replace with a similiar card as I don't play games or any stuff that requires top end graphics,just web browsing,photos and WP.

Regards

Mark

It's best practice, but not always simple, to un-install the old drivers. But, if you don't un-install them, it'll be OK. If the card is the same manufacturer, they'll be over written; if the card is a different manufacturer, they'll be ignored.

[s car go]

Excellant!!

Thanks Albannach,exactly what I needed to know

Cheers

[funkykebab]

You could always use the monitor input/output on the motherboard (where your USB inputs are on the rear)

This will at least tell you if the monitor is the problem!

Matt

[dieselboy]

It's best practice, but not always simple, to un-install the old drivers. But, if you don't un-install them, it'll be OK. If the card is the same manufacturer, they'll be over written; if the card is a different manufacturer, they'll be ignored.

So not really any point of uninstalling the old drivers at all then

[Albannach]

So not really any point of uninstalling the old drivers at all then

For system cleanliness, yes; but as a necessity, probably not. If I were working on my own system, I'd leave them; if I was working on someone else's, I'd un-install them.

[funkykebab]

If the graphics card has gone then you can get decent spec one cheap!

I have a 1gig graphics card and it cost me £50 and it performs wicked....even for high end gaming!

Matt

[Calos]

Calos,
My nvidia card sits around 100c during normal use.. Are these some kind of super CPU or what? I've been expecting it to go bang for years.

I'd check your case ventilation then, does it have a fan front and back ?

peace
cal