Am I ok to install this?

[xAkirax2004]

After a few months of video card shopping, I found a Radeon 9200. For cheap too!

Anyway, I am hoping that if I install it myself, Ill be able to save myself some money. I have the process down, but Im not sure whats going to happen after install it...Would it be possible if I encounter a problem?

The video cards is PCI, and the computer is an HP.

Thanks.

 

[Jpec07]

Make sure you don't push anything too hard (as it may break components in the computer). replacing video cards and the like isn't all that hard, just make sure your hands are steady and the computer is off when you're replacing the card...

 

[Matrixhasu77]

You'll be fine. Be sure that the card is firmly seated in your PCI slot and fire it up. You'll have to install drivers for it obviously, so make sure that your old videocard drivers are completely removed from your system.

 

[xAkirax2004]

Originally posted by Matrixhasu77
You'll be fine. Be sure that the card is firmly seated in your PCI slot and fire it up. You'll have to install drivers for it obviously, so make sure that your old videocard drivers are completely removed from your system.

Where could I find these old drivers?

 

[Burnout]

In control panel -> system -> hardware tab -> device manager -> Display adapters.

Right click your 810i video thing(it'll be the only one in there) and select uninstall.

 

[Matrixhasu77]

Originally posted by xAkirax2004
Where could I find these old drivers?

Under XP,

Display properties>Settings>Advanced>Adapter>Properties>Uninstall Drivers.

You aren't running onboard video instead of a PCI/AGP card instead, are you?

If so, I think all you need to do is disable your onboard video in your BIOS.

 

[Shannon]

You should get a CD with the card which should have the drivers on them. When it asks you for the drivers, tell it to search the CD. It will trawl the CD, grab the drivers and install.

If your using XP though, XP will install it's own crappy Microsoft drivers for it.

 

[DQuaN]

V. Important. Make sure you earth yourself. The body and clothing builds up alot of static which is very harmful to computer components. There are special wrist bands that you can get, if not, take your shoes off and every so often touch something that is metal and earthed.

 

[Shannon]

Originally posted by DQuaN
V. Important. Make sure you earth yourself. The body and clothing builds up alot of static which is very harmful to computer components. There are special wrist bands that you can get, if not, take your shoes off and every so often touch something that is metal and earthed.

I believe all you have to do is touch the top of the computer case.

 

[Solid Fro]

Yeah, but using a wrist strap is an almost absolute way to prevent static discharge.

I just open up the case and dig in and I never had a problem.

 

[Jpec07]

I've installed these things on several occasions. Never once have I used one of these bracelets. Also, I don't think he's going to be levitating when he takes the old card out and puts the new one in; so he should be grounded...

 

[emad]

Just a minor suggestion but keep 1 free pci slot between the graphic card and your other pci components. It's only to make sure you have a lot of air flow in between.

 

[xAkirax2004]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys!

I know I could count on ya all. Ill tell you on how the outcome is.

 

[sUn]

Good luck with it Akira.

 

[Jpec07]

Shannon, check your PMs (if you're still viewing this thread)...

 

[Burnout]

How'd it go? Get it all installed?

 

[xAkirax2004]

I havent even recived it yet.

Stupid backorder. Stupid Circuit city.

Ill go buy one @ Newegg. And cancel the other one.

 

[emad]

why not buy it from a local store? If you're going online for it, check froogle.com or pricewatch for a good price. I found my mp3 player on a link from pricewatch and ended up saving about $50 after shipping to canada, duty and taxes.

 

[Burnout]

Originally posted by emad
why not buy it from a local store? If you're going online for it, check froogle.com or pricewatch for a good price. I found my mp3 player on a link from pricewatch and ended up saving about $50 after shipping to canada, duty and taxes.

Canada boy.

If you're going to order online, I'd only use NewEgg.

Circuit city is only good because they're a store you can go to, I would never order from them online.

Price watch is kind of cool, too. I like NewEgg more, though.

 

[Danoff]

Don't listen to them about grounding yourself or touching the top of the case. Listen to me instead.

Touch the metal part of the case (the top might be plastic). You don't need to worry about where your feet are, just make sure part of you is in contact with the metal portion (interior) of the case at all times while installing the card to ensure that you don't zap your motherboard.

Also, if your agp slot has one of those little white snaps on the right hand side, make sure you push that all the way down to release your card before yanking it out. Plus, be sure when you put in your new card that you use enough force to get that little white snap to click into place.

Be prepared for your graphics to look like ass when your computer first boots up with the new video card. If you get a picture at all on boot the it's probably working properly. Have your new drivers handy for the install of the new card.

All you need to do is make sure you know the name of your old card so that you can download the drivers if you need to put it back in for some reason.

I find that the easiest way to remove the old card without grabbing on to all of the circuitry is to (as you're facing the open side of the computer), from the outside of the case, poke the flat part of the metal portion of the video card toward you with a screwdirver. That will dislodge it from the AGP slot (as long as you already have the white snap depressed), then you can grab that same metal part with your hand to remove it the rest of the way.

Don't be afraid to use a little elbow grease and remember that the circuitry is actually fairly resilient (as long as you don't poke at it with the screwdiver or snap of capacitors). Try to touch the video card on the sides only if possible.