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Installing a video card.....

Rack Ops
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
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Comments

40 comments

Date Votes
  • Rack Ops
    quote:Originally posted by bigride203
    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.


    There was no old video card, just an on-board video adapter. The monitor plugs into the tower itself (I'm guessing into the motherboard).

    I'll keep screwing with it later, as for right now I have to stop. The female in my life is demanding attention. I'll get back to it later tonight or tommarrow morning.

    Thanks again for all the help
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  • Rack Ops
    BTW: What is this "jumper" you refered to? What am I looking for exactly?
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  • bigride203
    A jumper on the motherboard. Gee, couldn't they make disabling the video any more obscure and unnecesarily convoluted?
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  • joker5656
    http://www.techsupportforum.com/

    join the forum and you can post, just remember to tell them the make and model, laptop or desktop
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  • DarkStar11
    quote:Originally posted by HighVolumeOfFire
    BTW: What is this "jumper" you refered to? What am I looking for exactly?


    It should be a small piece of plastic that covers 2 pins.

    Here's a pic of a jumper -- http://www.fkusa.com/premaparts/251081.jpg

    Here's a pic of a jumper installed on a motherboard -- http://www.pcguide.com/intro/fun/z_000744jumpers.jpg

    I can't believe Sony would make you pull a jumper to install a video card, but you never know. I'd first try the steps mentioned, skipping the jumper. If that doesn't work, I'd try finding and removing the jumper. The tricky part is that there may be more than one jumper in place on your motherboard. Look for a pair of pins on the motherboard labeled "video" or something similar. It might be worth the $30 call to Sony. Good luck.
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  • whiteclouder
    That 65 bucks might have been a bargain. [:D]

    In for a penny--in for a pound, now. Keep slugging
    and you'll get it. Next time---Get A Dell.

    Clouder..
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  • gunnut505
    Yep, Dells are made from random parts and those parts replace real easy.
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  • TexasVet
    quote:Originally posted by gunnut505
    Yep, Dells are made from random parts and those parts replace real easy.


    That's true, and they're designed for easy upgrading.
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  • minitruck83
    quote:Originally posted by DarkStar11
    quote:Originally posted by HighVolumeOfFire
    BTW: What is this "jumper" you refered to? What am I looking for exactly?


    It should be a small piece of plastic that covers 2 pins.

    Here's a pic of a jumper -- http://www.fkusa.com/premaparts/251081.jpg

    Here's a pic of a jumper installed on a motherboard -- http://www.pcguide.com/intro/fun/z_000744jumpers.jpg

    I can't believe Sony would make you pull a jumper to install a video card, but you never know. I'd first try the steps mentioned, skipping the jumper. If that doesn't work, I'd try finding and removing the jumper. The tricky part is that there may be more than one jumper in place on your motherboard. Look for a pair of pins on the motherboard labeled "video" or something similar. It might be worth the $30 call to Sony. Good luck.


    Jumpers are usually yellow. But don't count on it.
    Your motherboard manufactor should have a online manuel with pics/diagrams That'll walk you thru enable/disabling onboard video. if you can determine which manufactor and what model is in your puter. (which sometimes ain't easy) Some jumper situations call for a simple add/remove jumper and some require different pin configs. I allus have use a lot of light and a good magnifying glass to read the extra fine print on MBs.
    good luck




    Allen
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  • Rack Ops
    Guys,

    Thanks for the help, but I think this is beyond my abilities.

    While I was confident in my abilities to slide in a new card, pulling pins off the motherboard is a bit much.

    I ain't calling Sony because there is no guarentee it'll work.

    I'm on my way to the computer tech guy.......$65 is a small price to pay for my sanity

    Lesson learned.....I'll never EVER purchase another Sony computer for as long as I live
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