Installing a video card.....
Is this something I can manage to do on my own?
I called a computer service place and they said they would put it in for $65 and I'd rather not pay that if it is a straight-forward process.
I've looked at some online manuals but the static electricity warnings have me pretty paranoid.
Should I fork over the cash, or do it myself? Thanks for any advice
I called a computer service place and they said they would put it in for $65 and I'd rather not pay that if it is a straight-forward process.
I've looked at some online manuals but the static electricity warnings have me pretty paranoid.
Should I fork over the cash, or do it myself? Thanks for any advice
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Easy to do. Don 0 -
Do it yourself.
Touch the arm that you are using inside the machine to the chassis (metal frame)...you are now grounded with the PC.0 -
quote:Originally posted by dcloco
Do it yourself.
Touch the arm that you are using inside the machine to the chassis (metal frame)...you are now grounded with the PC.
Close your eyes and imagine you are one with the machine. Don0 -
LOL. Don't let the static electricity thing bug you.
STEP ONE: Turn off the power.
STEP TWO: UNPLUG the machine.
STEP THREE: Put on a pair of rubber-soled shoes (sneakers).
STEP FOUR: Open the case.
STEP FIVE: Touch any part of the metal inside the case WITHOUT touching any of the green computer cards inside. Preferably, you'll touch the power box. This will discharge any static electricity you've built up.
STEP SIX: Install the video card.
STEP SEVEN: Close the case, power up the machine and enjoy.
It truly is that easy. If you get super-paranoid, you can buy a static electricity strap for your wrist for about $10 at any computer store, but you really don't need one.0 -
After you plug it in, go to the MFRs website and download the newest drivers for your model.
That's all!0 -
Thanks for the help guys.
I thought I installed it correctly.......I guess maybe not though
My computer is working, but can't seem to find the card. I tried to install the driver, but it won't let me until the hardware is in.
Everything is working as it should, but it's like the card isn't there at all......
Thoughts?0 -
quote:Originally posted by HighVolumeOfFire
Thanks for the help guys.
I thought I installed it correctly.......I guess maybe not though
My computer is working, but can't seem to find the card. I tried to install the driver, but it won't let me until the hardware is in.
Everything is working as it should, but it's like the card isn't there at all......
Thoughts?
Have you made sure that the video card is seated properly? Some motherboards have them clip in, others they just drop in, but you have to press down firmly for them to seat right.0 -
that would be my best guess. I'm afraid of breaking it if I push too hard.
I thought I had it seated pretty good. Maybe not.
I'll check again........0 -
quote:Originally posted by HighVolumeOfFire
that would be my best guess. I'm afraid of breaking it if I push too hard.
I thought I had it seated pretty good. Maybe not.
I'll check again........
Pull it and reseat it again. It should firmly CLICK into place.
Is this a PCI, PCI-Express or AGP card?0 -
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
Is this a PCI, PCI-Express or AGP card?
I'm not entirely sure, but I think its a PCI express (it says that on the box)
its a Ge-Force 7300 GS, if that helps0 -
quote:Originally posted by HighVolumeOfFire
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
Is this a PCI, PCI-Express or AGP card?
I'm not entirely sure, but I think its a PCI express (it says that on the box)
its a Ge-Force 7300 GS, if that helps
PCI Express should snap right into place.
Have you removed the old video card? If you've got a monitor up and running and the monitor plugged into the new video card, then Windows has recognized it. But, the computer should recognize the new video card BEFORE Windows even loads.0 -
there wasn't an old memory card, this is the first one.
Getting ready to try it again......0 -
Same thing.......it's like its not even there 0 -
It is possible to have a bad card, it happens from time to time.
If you've followed the instructions that came with the card and it isn't being recognized, that would be my first suspicion.0 -
Is your current video chipset on the motherboard? If your video is on the motherboard, you may have to disable the onboard video in the CMOS setup. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by bigride203
Is your current video chipset on the motherboard? If your video is on the motherboard, you may have to disable the onboard video in the CMOS setup.
Ok, I think this might be the problem.
How exactly do I disable the onboard video?0 -
Its 9:00pm and I still haven't made any progress. Maybe I have a learning disability.......
I called EVGA (the video card manufacturer) and they told me they couldn't tell me how to disable the video adapter because they weren't familar with the system (Sony Vaio). They suggested I call Sony.
I called Sony, who informed me that they knew what the problem was and how to fix it......once I paid them $30. I stubbornly refused
I've spent the last 2 hours scouring every computer message board I can find to solve the problem......
At this point, I'm on the verge of setting the video card on fire, along with the computer. Then I think I'll drink myself into a coma.......0 -
Nice video card. Hang in there, it is worth the effort.
Besides, sounds like a "Quest" to me...0 -
Different computers have different ways to get into the setup. The F8 key is a common key. Turn your computer off and then reboot. When the computer begins to power up hit the F8 key repeatedly. You should do this BEFORE Windows starts loading. As you do this, look for any message that may tell you to hit a particular key to enter setup just in case there is a different key. You can pause the bootup process at any time by hitting the "pause" key.
If you manage to get into the setup, be very careful not to change any settings other than to disable onboard video. Changing other settings can be verrrrrry bad. I'm sorry that I can't be more specific but each motherboard can have a different arrangement for getting into the setup.
Does the place where you bought it offer any advice? Even a novice tech should be able to help you disable onboard video and it shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg.0 -
Go to Start, click on My Computer, on the left click on View System Information, click on the Hardware tab, click on Device Manager, expand the Display Adapters box, click ONCE on the display adapter you want to disable (highlights the display adapter), then press on the icon at the top with the X through it. You now have disabled the display adapter (video card) that you highlighted. 0 -
just do a search for new hardware. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by dcloco
Go to Start, click on My Computer, on the left click on View System Information, click on the Hardware tab, click on Device Manager, expand the Display Adapters box, click ONCE on the display adapter you want to disable (highlights the display adapter), then press on the icon at the top with the X through it. You now have disabled the display adapter (video card) that you highlighted.
dcloco....I tried that earlier. All I managed to accomplish was making the icons bigger.....
I've made it to the "BIOS setup utility" screen
My options are Main, Advanced, Power, Boot, Exit......where do I go from here?0 -
Check under Main or Advanced for any options regarding video. If you accidentally hit something you didn't mean to, you should be able to exit without saving changes. Most setups will give instructions for navigating within setup. Most I have seen will have a phrase that says "disable onboard video." Just remember what you did in case you have to go back and enable the video again. These are general ideas. It's hard to say for certain without seeing the setup screen. You may have to bite the bullet and spend the $30.00 to get it done right, but if it's a good card, it will be worth it. 0 -
I'm looking at the "Peripheral Configuration" screen and all I see are:
Onboard LAN Controller (Enabled)
Onboard LAN ROM (Disabled
Onboard 1394 Controller (Enabled)
Onboard Audio Controller (Disabled)
Parallel Port (Auto)
Mode (Bi-Directional)
am I in the wrong place?0 -
You might go to the system info again and see if the video adapter chipset is 1394. Without being there, I would hate to give you erroneous advice and really screw with your system. Does Sony not have tech support for your system online with frequently asked questions. I find it hard to believe that others have not dealt with this. Let me mess around at Sony's site a while and see if they have any tech support worth investigating. 0 -
Sony support requires a model number, which of course, I don't have. I would suggest you try to get information there. If they offer a search, type in some kind of phrase like "disable onboard video" or "replacing video card" and see if they have any solutions. If you monkey around in there long enough, you might find some free help. If you email the info, I can poke around a little for you tomorrow evening. 0 -
If I read the system info correctly, 1394 is the USB adapter
I tried Sony's "live chat" help. All the guy told me to do was call tech support.....
I looked around sony's site for a tech help message board, but couldn't find one
I'm at my wit's end. The guy who wanted to charge me 60 bucks may get his money after all. At least that way I'll know it will be done right0 -
Model# is
VGC-RB42G0 -
This is an obvious question, but was there an old video card to remove from the computer? Where exactly does your monitor cable plug in? Is it plugged in to the new card? If your monitor is plugged in to the new card, then Windows has to recognize some kind of video adapter or you would have a blank screen. 0 -
HVOF -- here is someone who installed a video card in same model Sony. http://p200.ezboard.com/funofficialsonyfrm7.showMessage?topicID=2698.topic
He lists his steps to success as:
1 - Disable the existing video drivers via Windows.
2 - Installed the new PCI Express card.
3 - Removed the BIOS jumper (which was the only thing Sony CS suggested, I'm wondering if I needed to do this now?)
4 - Rebooted and installed drivers and rebooted again.
The one nugget of info I was able to glean from Sony's "Support" site is that the onboard adapter cannot be disabled in the BIOS. The BIOS jumper referred to above should be a physical jumper on the motherboard. Hope this helps. YMMV.0
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