Going nits trying to install drivers for an Nvidia Geoforce FX5200 on a Dell Optiplex

[pfgpowell]

Hi. first off I usually use Macs and don't know my way around PCs
(yet). I bought a secondhand Dell Optiplex GX260 for my children to
play games on. Came with Windows XP Professional installed. Games
weren't good with the built-in graphics card so I bought an Nvidia
Geoforce FX5200 AGP card on eBay (choosing that one because as far as I
can see it is the only one which will fit the low-profile Optiplex.)
I'm having all sorts of trouble getting it to work. Tried to install
the drivers from the disk (before installing the new card) but I got a
message saying 'unable to locate drivers compatible with your current
hardware'. Trouble is that once I have installed the new card - so that
the current new hardware IS present - and reboot, I now longer get a
signal through to my monitor. I get the initial Windows XP black splash
screen, but when it gets to the blue screen - zilch. I have the same
problem both when the monitor is attached to the original graphics
outlet (which shares the Dell's CPU with the rest of the PC) or when it
is attached to the new card. Sequence: Dell splash screen, first black
Windows XP spalsh creen, then blank screen when it should go to the
blue Welcome screen. This is driving me NUTS. BTW I have already been
in touch with Nvidi who gave me a link to the latest drivers which I
have donwloaded. But I get the same story when I try to install them.
My children want to play their games and I hate to be beaten. All
advice and help VERY welcome. Feel free to email me directly. Thanks,
Patrick

 

[dobey]

Hi. first off I usually use Macs and don't know my way around PCs
(yet). I bought a secondhand Dell Optiplex GX260 for my children to
play games on. Came with Windows XP Professional installed. Games
weren't good with the built-in graphics card so I bought an Nvidia
Geoforce FX5200 AGP card on eBay (choosing that one because as far as I
can see it is the only one which will fit the low-profile Optiplex.)
I'm having all sorts of trouble getting it to work. Tried to install
the drivers from the disk (before installing the new card) but I got a
message saying 'unable to locate drivers compatible with your current
hardware'. Trouble is that once I have installed the new card - so that
the current new hardware IS present - and reboot, I now longer get a
signal through to my monitor. I get the initial Windows XP black splash
screen, but when it gets to the blue screen - zilch. I have the same
problem both when the monitor is attached to the original graphics
outlet (which shares the Dell's CPU with the rest of the PC) or when it
is attached to the new card. Sequence: Dell splash screen, first black
Windows XP spalsh creen, then blank screen when it should go to the
blue Welcome screen. This is driving me NUTS. BTW I have already been
in touch with Nvidi who gave me a link to the latest drivers which I
have donwloaded. But I get the same story when I try to install them.
My children want to play their games and I hate to be beaten. All
advice and help VERY welcome. Feel free to email me directly. Thanks,
Patrick

Even without drivers you would get a picture. XP has a basic driver that
would probably work with the card.
Hardware first, then driver at next boot under normal circumstances.

What happens if you have 2 monitors connected, one to the onboard video, and
one to the new card?

Have you checked the BIOS and set the display order (i.e. AGP first), or
disabled the onboard VGA? (if it has that option). For that matter have you
read the BIOS manual. (usually available from the net).

You may need to disable the onboard VGA in windows, then reboot with the new
hardware in place, (I wouldn't advise that though).

Having said all that, I have heard Dells don't like third party peripherals,
that is Dell deliberately use different specs to discourage upgrades of this
kind, but I haven't tried to upgrade a Dell, so have no first-hand
experience.

Good luck.