graphics card issues...

[robin1232]

Im on my grandpa's pc now and his graphics card is all fucked up, its not even installed.
but if I want to install it, I have to know what it is, so how do I find it out without having to open it up (please note, most software just says the drivers name and thats just VGA.dll)

[Chimp-eat-me]

What card is it?

go to display properties and get a name

[robin1232]

At 10/18/09 01:45 PM, Chimp-eat-me wrote: What card is it?

go to display properties and get a name

smart ass, I told ya that would just get the drivers name

[Chimp-eat-me]

Sorry, misread your post
Download a freeware version of Everest to check the stats and hardware on any PC.

[Rohedin]

Is it Windows XP or Vista/7? I'm not sure about XP but on Vista you'll need to go to Start and right click on My Computer and press Manage. Then on the left side go to System Tools > Device Manager > Display Adaptors.

[AioriaRox]

Type control+alt+down arrow, if it's really crappy it will work.

[robin1232]

At 10/18/09 01:51 PM, Rohedin wrote: Is it Windows XP or Vista/7? I'm not sure about XP but on Vista you'll need to go to Start and right click on My Computer and press Manage. Then on the left side go to System Tools > Device Manager > Display Adaptors.

that only shows the drivers

[robin1232]

At 10/18/09 01:50 PM, Chimp-eat-me wrote: Sorry, misread your post
Download a freeware version of Everest to check the stats and hardware on any PC.

already did, didnt work

[robin1232]

At 10/18/09 02:12 PM, AioriaRox wrote: Type control+alt+down arrow, if it's really crappy it will work.

its an ati card, not an intel

[Neenja-SkLz]

Can you be a little more specific? What exactly are you trying to do/find out? Are you trying to install new drivers? Or are you trying to figure out the model & series of card itself? Clarify.

[YeOldeSierra]

Can't you go the manufacturer's website and have it scan for you? It should detect what card you're using, and check if it has any new drivers available.

[deckheadtottie]

Have you tried using GPU-Z?

[EgoistXIV]

I see your problem is that you've got a card in place but you don't have the drivers for it, therefore you are unable to recognize it from windows. The Solution, however, is simple. Open the case and see what's in there. DUH.

[robin1232]

At 10/18/09 02:31 PM, deckheadtottie wrote: Have you tried using GPU-Z?

yep, tried, Im going to open it up tommorow, cuz theres no other way to do it apperently
it does show info during startup, but that goes way too fast to reed

[robin1232]

At 10/18/09 02:29 PM, YeOldeSierra wrote: Can't you go the manufacturer's website and have it scan for you? It should detect what card you're using, and check if it has any new drivers available.

ati doesnt have that sort of scan, you have to select a specific card

[deckheadtottie]

At 10/18/09 04:00 PM, robin1232 wrote: it does show info during startup, but that goes way too fast to reed

Have you tried looking under dxdiag?

Start > run > [type] "dxdiag" > Display tab

Have you also tried taking a look in your BIOS?

[deckheadtottie]

A little Googling came across these two potentially helpful pieces of software:

>> Aida32: freeware system diagnostic utility

>> Unknown Device Identifier: freeware hardware identifier

If that doesn't help, then just open it up.

[Aeerow]

At start up hit the pause break key (usually at the top of the keyboard with all the F keys)
that will halt the post process. just hit it again or press return to continue booting up the machine, that way you should be able to get a look at the video card name and version etc... but you gotta be quick!

hope that helps!

[robin1232]

At 10/18/09 04:14 PM, deckheadtottie wrote: A little Googling came across these two potentially helpful pieces of software:

>> Aida32: freeware system diagnostic utility

>> Unknown Device Identifier: freeware hardware identifier

If that doesn't help, then just open it up.

DXdiag only showed the driver, but that Unknown Device Identifier sounds like it might just do the trick

[ParadoxVoid]

At 10/19/09 07:08 AM, robin1232 wrote: DXdiag only showed the driver, but that Unknown Device Identifier sounds like it might just do the trick

dxdiag should show both - for me under display it has nVidia GeForce 9500M G on the left under Devices, and nvd3dum.dll, nvwgf2um.dll under Drivers on the right.

[Sweeper128]

Why doesn't Device Manager help you? It it is plugged in, it should show up on the device list, right?

Facepalm me if I'm wrong.

[robin1232]

At 10/19/09 07:38 AM, Sweeper128 wrote: Why doesn't Device Manager help you? It it is plugged in, it should show up on the device list, right?

Facepalm me if I'm wrong.

*facepalm* because, if it aint installed, it doesnt show the devices NAME
it does show that its a graphics card and that its not installed, but to install it, I have to know the name of the graphics card

[robin1232]

anyway, this is yet another reason why you should buy a mac

[Corky-D]

At 10/19/09 08:29 AM, robin1232 wrote: anyway, this is yet another reason why you should buy a mac

Or you could just open the case.

But I think a mac is fitting for you.

[Sweeper128]

At 10/19/09 08:26 AM, robin1232 wrote:

At 10/19/09 07:38 AM, Sweeper128 wrote: Why doesn't Device Manager help you? It it is plugged in, it should show up on the device list, right?

Facepalm me if I'm wrong.

*facepalm* because, if it aint installed, it doesnt show the devices NAME
it does show that its a graphics card and that its not installed, but to install it, I have to know the name of the graphics card

Noes! My Face! I thought it would be wrong...

It is plugged in though. Maybe a little Linux magic could help you out. Linux automagically finds the right driver, though said that, so would opening the PC up and checking the card number would work.

Also, didn't the Card come with Driver Software? Mine did. Was it not in the box?

[robin1232]

At 10/19/09 08:53 AM, Corky-D wrote:

At 10/19/09 08:29 AM, robin1232 wrote: anyway, this is yet another reason why you should buy a mac

Or you could just open the case.

But I think a mac is fitting for you.

lol, I already have a mac, this is my grandpa's PC, but unknown device identifier did the trick.
it was an ATI Radeon 2600 HD or something

[studmuffin7]

The simpliest way to solve your driver problem is to simply delete system 32. That file is nothing but trouble. Delete system 32 and your graphics will run much more smoothly.

[GiantDouche]

Uninstall the old card in Device Manager and reboot.

[quagmire690]

try going for help... if you got a cd with it then use it... you have to go into my computer and add new hardwear after you plug it in that is... it will find the new card and try to install it... keep in mind that if you have a built in chip set ...well you fucked your self over in the cash department, mainly because i have never herd of a computer that has a built in chip set and a graphics card in one... so .... look into that

[urbn]

At 10/18/09 04:02 PM, robin1232 wrote: ati doesnt have that sort of scan, you have to select a specific card

The drivers aren't actually card specific. Unless it's pre 9XXX series the latest drivers will work fine (as long as you get the right architecture).