GeForce blank screen

[Blade Dancer]

im not good with computers, so i dont know what information i need to give besides the basics :confused:
i have a windows xp system, and need to install a new vid card, (geforce mx 4000 plus) to make the game uru:ages beyond myst work. i installed it ok, but when i plug my monitor into the card's slot, the screen goes black. geforce tech said i may have an 'integrated video card on my motherboard' and that i should call compaq for them to help me remove those drivers. compaq refuses to help at all because my computer is past the warantee (aka, please fork over 75$)...so i guess my question is how do i get rid of the original integrated card/drivers?

[Richard1]

I think you need the boot cd from Compaq to access the bios. Essentially you need to access the bios disable the integrated card(assuming that's what you have), add the new card turn the machine on and use the install disk that came with the card. I would also recommend upgrading the drivers after you have success getting it to work by visiting. Thanks.

[Blade Dancer]

probably the one thing you dont want to hear...but whats a bios? and where would i get a boot cd/make one?

I think you need the boot cd from Compaq to access the bios. Essentially you need to access the bios disable the integrated card(assuming that's what you have), add the new card turn the machine on and use the install disk that came with the card. I would also recommend upgrading the drivers after you have success getting it to work by visiting. Thanks.

[SolApathy]

BIOS-Basic Input Output System

The part of the system software of the computer that provides the lowest level interface to peripheral devices and controls the first stage of the bootstrap process, focusin on configuring all the devices on your machine.


Without this the machine will not function at all.

Most computers access the BIOS through the F1, F10, or del key during the POST (Power On Self Test) this is the point wher the bios is testing all of the components, including your RAM, HDD's and peripherals. (where you see your RAM being tested, as well as your hard drives.

On some computers a logo obscures all of this so you can't see what is going on without pressing another button (i.e., a compaq logo)

The easiest to determine how to access the bios if you have limited information on the computer is-

#1 look up the manual on the internet
#2 attempt to press various keys as I mentioned above.
#3 As a last resort you can attempt to access the bios by disconnecting your hard drives from the machine, as well as removing the keyboard plug. on some machines this will force an error and give you the option to access the BIOS.


I must warn you though, as it seems you have very limited computer knowledge. Playing with settings without knowing what you are doing can cause a situation wher the computer will not boot at all.

There is a remedy (resetting the bios by either removing the battery for several minutes) or by moving the "jumpers" on the motherboard that control the resetting of the bios information to it's default state.


Anyways, once you are in the BIOS there MAY be an option to disable th onboard video for the computer. Other, older machines had a jumper (look at reference below) that will activate/deactivate things like the onboard video.


(A jumper is a metal bridge that closes an electrical circuit. Typically, a jumper consists of a plastic plug that fits over a pair of protruding pins. )
th protruding pins ar on the motherboard. By placing the jumper on them you complete an electrical circuit that can alter configutations of devices.



Anyways. Give us the model of this computer and we will help you look into it.

[Blade Dancer]

now that you described it, i am aware of what it is, but only from a friend screwing around with it on their comp, ive never touched it.

anywho, my comp info...
Compaq Presario S4100NX
BIOS- Version 3.19
Intel Celeron Processor 2.5GHz
758 MB RAM
old graphics card:Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controler

and im not really that bad with comps, but this is definatly the first time ive tried to mess with hardware. im better at dealing with anything that goes wrong while the computers on, not off. i think i prefer viruses and trojan cookies to all of this...lol.

[SolApathy]

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?dlc=en&lc=en&product=331100&dest_page=product&cc=us&docname=c00007413


-There is one reference for compaq. This desribes the proceedure for your model series.




-This is the main page for your particular model-

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/setupCategory?dlc=en&lc=en&product=331100&dest_page=product&cc=us&

[Blade Dancer]

went to the site, and it ended up solveing it perfectly...thank you sooo muchhttp://forums.windrivers.com/images/smilies/smile.gifhttp://forums.windrivers.com/images/smilies/smile.gif:kiss:http://forums.windrivers.com/images/smilies/smile.gifhttp://forums.windrivers.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

:wave:

[SolApathy]

np :)