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Correct procedure for installing video card


Gibber
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Almost all new MB's will have a bios switch for the onboard card, so i'd go for :

 

Back up anything important.

 

Uninstall current video drivers

 

Shut down

 

Install new card

 

Connect monitor lead to new card

 

Boot up - and 99% of the time you will get the card's own bios display before moving on to your normal boot process.

 

You can then install drivers etc for the new card as required.

 

If there is no output from the new VGA card then its likely you will have to manually switch off the onboard output.

 

So switch off, re-connect display to onboard card, reboot, and enter the bios (F2, F12, DEL or whatever) and look for the option to disable onboard VGA. Should be easy enough to find. I have seen some really awkward BIOS's in the past where the AGP slot had to be enabled, but they are pretty rare (and old).

 

Then save, exit, switch off, and reconnect the display to your new card and all should be well.

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Thanks for this Spinner, very helpful.

 

I still can’t get any sense out of this though. I got an Asus P5KPL-AM with an Intel E5200, 2 gig of OCZ ram and XP pro. The motherboard has integrated graphics which works as it is supposed too. The other day I thought I would put in an Nvidia 8400 GS card as a step up from the integrated Intel G31 video.

 

Desktop and Windows Explorer use were fine but whenever I tried to watch TV or play video the computer would hang ending up in me having to reboot, (sometimes other software triggers off this fault but it is guaranteed to happen when opening up the TV card software or trying to run video playback.)

 

I thought this might be a problem with the card so I changed it to an ATI 4670. This results in the same problem.

 

The Asus board chooses whichever is set in the bios ie initiate PCI express or integrated or old style PCI so, like you said, this motherboard appears to not need a specific ‘disable onboard video’ command but will switch between whatever video is set to boot first.

 

All the drivers seem to be installed ok and device manager sees no conflicts. The ATI card works as it should up to a point. It managed a 3Dmark06 score of over 8000 and works as it should with games.

 

Switching back to the onboard Intel G31 graphics adaptor will enable me to run video and watch TV and works perfectly.

 

I thought this was a conflict between the integrated and the installed card but now I’m not sure what it could be. Perhaps the power draw for video or TV is too much for my 450W PSU (although I would have thought 3D Mark would use a lot more juice)

 

Any ideas? I’m stumped.

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My first guess would be the PSU,.... but 3DMark works. Strange. 450W should be plenty unless it's a really cheap PSU.

 

I've got a spare 600W PSU, you're welcome to try that. If it works you can have it for £20 (It was around £60 new, a couple of years ago and has hardly been used).

 

PM me if you're interested.

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Thanks for these

 

I'd go for trying another PSU too.

 

"shoving" an S-Video (I haven't looked up your cards, but that's most the most common TV-Out) signal over even a short distance can put a lot of pressure on your cards power resources, especially if there is an s-video to composite adapter in the mix.

 

Tv reception is through Freecom USB stick

 

I'll get hold of another PSU today. My one was £15, like this but 450W

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Colors-550W-Silent-Power-Supply/dp/B000KND4M8

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Ah, so you're displaying the TV picture on your PC?

 

I misunderstood and thought you were using a TV Output on the card.

 

I'm now suspecting a codec or possibly direct X problem, since video decoding uses different processes to 3D rendering. I now think the PSU is a less likely culprit since 3D should place a higher load.

 

Try reinstalling DirectX, especially if you're using the version that came with the onboard card.

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I really don't think it will be PSu as this video card is very light on power, gets it all through the PCI e slot.

 

I'll get November's direct X 9c installed.

 

In the Bios would any of these things have a bearing on the video card?

 

Assign IRQ to VGA

PnP enabled OS

ACPI

 

I may reset the CMOS in case a bios setting is stopping aftermarket video cards being installed.

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What brand is the Nvidia 8400 GS card ?

 

Did you let windows install drivers for you to use it, or did you install the drivers that came with it on CD, or did you download drivers from someplace and install those ?

 

(I usually find that windows drivers tend to be the most stable.)

 

Which type of video files playing cause it to hang and what software was you using to play them ?

 

Is your windows OS fully up to date with updates ?

 

Changing from one card to another can cause issues, as can not necessarly fully uninstalling video drivers and putting in new ones, as such, a fresh install of the OS might work in fixing the issue..

 

Also, is the video card fully home in its slot ? (This might be particularly hard to tell with modern cards which have very fine tolerances and if your case is actually slightly wonky might actually make it worse, so you might try your card without it being screwed in place, but just held by hand.)

 

Do either of the video cards you tried have extra power supply requirements which require power to be plugged into the card as well ?

 

It could also be the PSU, and maybe even DirectX, this might help a little there:

 

http://www.nomorehistory.com/directx_diagnosis.html

 

It could also be that motherboard doesn't like those particular graphics cards.. (Which might also mean its a bios issue, but lets try and avoid playing around with that for now as you can more easily break things if trying to update that (Don't for example update it over the web!))

 

Do you have access to borrow any other graphics card which you could try thats a different make/model (Something older might be good.) ?

 

Also, running things overclocked at all ?

 

Yes a BIOS reset might work too!

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I really don't think it will be PSu as this video card is very light on power, gets it all through the PCI e slot.

 

I'll get November's direct X 9c installed.

 

In the Bios would any of these things have a bearing on the video card?

 

Assign IRQ to VGA

PnP enabled OS

ACPI

 

I may reset the CMOS in case a bios setting is stopping aftermarket video cards being installed.

 

None of those settings will affect our setup now. The card is in and working, running its most demanding task (3D rendering) just fine.

 

Since the problem is narrowed down to video rendering (it may happen at other times because some aspect of what you are doing uses the same process, playing flash adverts in webpages for example), that would be the area to concentrate on.

 

If a DirectX update doesn't help, try reinstalling your TV software, and any codecs (DivX etc) you may have.

 

I should clarify that by reinstall i mean the full procedure (uninstall, reboot, then reinstall). Since many installers these days don't overwrite existing files.

 

Apologies if i sound patronising - been answering queries to kids on the gaming site for so long its second nature to be simplistic!

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Thanks spinner this is very helpful and not condescending at all.

 

Some headway. Did a full install of everything including codecs and the TV reception is working. Did dxdiag and it reported a Direct Show problem. Put the slider for hardware acceleration to the middle position for disabling direct draw and direct 3d and the card will now play video files.

 

This full install includes the November Direct X 9c, .net 2, klite codec pack, latest ATI drivers and Catalyst software.

 

When I test direct draw and direct 3d in dxdiag it passes.

 

Whats going on?

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Here is the first bit of the dxdiag txt file if its any use. I deleted the bit from sound devices onwards due to length.

 

------------------

System Information

------------------

Time of this report: 11/11/2008, 01:36:38

Machine name: A

Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)

Language: English (Regional Setting: English)

System Manufacturer: System manufacturer

System Model: System Product Name

BIOS: BIOS Date: 09/11/08 11:13:41 Ver: 08.00.12

Processor: Pentium® Dual-Core CPU E5200 @ 2.50GHz (2 CPUs)

Memory: 2048MB RAM

Page File: 850MB used, 3088MB available

Windows Dir: D:\WINDOWS

DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

DX Setup Parameters: Not found

DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

 

------------

DxDiag Notes

------------

DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.

Display Tab 1: No problems found. DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 7 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 8 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 9 test results: All tests were successful.

Sound Tab 1: No problems found.

Music Tab: No problems found.

Input Tab: No problems found.

Network Tab: No problems found.

 

--------------------

DirectX Debug Levels

--------------------

Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)

DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)

DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)

DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)

DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)

DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)

DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

 

---------------

Display Devices

---------------

Card name: ATI Radeon HD 4670

Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.

Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x9490)

DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)

Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9490&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_00

Display Memory: 1024.0 MB

Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)

Monitor: LG W2234

Monitor Max Res: 1680,1050

Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll

Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6869 (English)

DDI Version: 9 (or higher)

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

Driver Date/Size: 10/4/2008 14:40:50, 311296 bytes

WHQL Logo'd: Yes

WHQL Date Stamp: n/a

VDD: n/a

Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys

Mini VDD Date: 10/4/2008 15:29:30, 3331584 bytes

Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-D7D0-11CF-6579-0A20A1C2CB35}

Vendor ID: 0x1002

Device ID: 0x9490

SubSys ID: 0x00000000

Revision ID: 0x0000

Revision ID: 0x0000

Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D

Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

{3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive

{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive

{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

{3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive

{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive

{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

Registry: OK

DDraw Status: Enabled

D3D Status: Enabled

AGP Status: Enabled

DDraw Test Result: All tests were successful.

D3D7 Test Result: All tests were successful.

D3D8 Test Result: All tests were successful.

D3D9 Test Result: All tests were successful.

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Thanks to everybody that helped me on this thread, especially spinner, your help was invaluable.

 

I finally sorted it by reinstalling XP and pressing F5 when it asks if you want to install a 3rd party scsi or raid driver. It then gives the option to install the hardware abstraction layer as ACPI (instead of the default 'normal computer' or whatever it is)

 

This seems to have resolved whatever insane conflict was going on in my OS. Never did find out what the problem was, and after all this rigmarol I don't really care.

 

Appreciate the help

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This seems to have resolved whatever insane conflict was going on in my OS. Never did find out what the problem was, and after all this rigmarol I don't really care.

Excellent attitude! Shame it took an OS install to sort it though. However, to quote my own signature from elsewhere (which winds up endless tech-support types) : "It's not whats supposed to happen,but what does happen, that matters.."

:)

 

 

Amazing! Reminds me of trying to fit Compaq/HP GFX cards into normal AGP slots :D

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