I think I've ALMOST got it...

[Guest]

To summarize my problem usign a previous post:

"Ever since I got my computer I have had horrible random lockups... the whole
computer with freeze up, including the mouse cursor, until I reboot, and
occasionally it will reboot itself. This can happen when it is being used or
when it is idle. I have no idea what causes this but when I run a certain
game it says I have "out of date SiS chipset driver" which may be a hint but
I dunno... i'm not even sure what that is. So if anybody could help me..."

Now I just did an experiment where I removed the Nvidia GeForce2 graphics
card that I added into this pre-built Northgate computer, thereby allowing
the motherboard's built in graphics card to take over. (I have a S651M
motherboard). This worked. Then I deciderd to experiment... I opened up a 3d
game that recently had been locking up every single time I used it, and
although the game was slow and the graphics choppy, it didn't crash at all.

So now I know the problem lies in my graphics card... teh question is, how
can I fix it? The graphics card worked perfectly well in my previous
computer. Is there some special process I need to go through when I install
it so that my computer will stop locking up? Or are the graphics card and
motherboard just not compatible... or what?

 

[Kevin]

How about drivers for the card?

 

[Richard Urban]

Obtain the very latest drivers for the Nvidia board (ver 61.77). Disable the
onboard graphics in the computer bios.If you don't, you may have weird
interactions that you can't control.

Ps. The Nvidia board is way better than any on-board graphics I know of.

--
Regards:

Richard Urban


aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

 

[Guest]

I have all the latest drivers, but disabling the onboard graphics card sounds
like the right thing. How can I do that in the BIOS... what option should I
look for?

~ Zach ~

 

[yeloduke]

If you don't have a manual for your mobo, do a google search for S651M
manual and download it yourself. Should make interesting reading.

 

[Guest]

I read the manual and searched the online version earlier... couldn't find
anything. But I also dont understand the technical stuff at all... so.

 

[Len]

So... you are going to need to learn a little technical stuff! First off
you haven't mentioned what brand computer or motherboard you are using.
Trying to guess at that won't help us or you! Maybe if you indicate
make/model/motherboard someone will have a match and tell you how to
proceed.

Good Luck,
Len

 

[Guest]

Oh sorry! I thought I mentioned it.

I have ... an Intel Celeron 2.2ghz with an S651M motherboard. The graphics
card I want to install is a Geforce2 GTS or Pro. I forget which.

 

[Len]

You did mention the S651M but that unfortunately doesn't tell me anything or
lead me to any information on your CMOS. It probably does lead to the
system you may have purchased. The MB is not seperately listed so have no
idea whether it is Award, Phoenix, AMI or whatever for a bios chip. Nor
less on its settings...

Sorry can not help you... maybe someone else will be able to assist.

Len

 

[Guest]

http://www.syntaxusa.com/catalog/download_manuals/manual_s651m.pdf

This is the manual for my motherboard... any chance you could take a peek
and see what settings I need to tweak in the BIOS?

~ Zach ~

 

[Len]

OK, taking a quick look tells me it must auto-sense the insertion of an AGP
card. There appears to be no method either through jumpers or from the CMOS
menu to enable/disable the onboard video.

I have seen this method (particularly in the limited BIOS types like Phonex)
in other mass market systems. The only real issue you can control is
through booting with the onboard video, delete any drivers or software for
the video on the system then shut down the computer.

With power off install the AGP card, restart and allow XP to detect and
either install or request the driver disk for the AGP card. As this is an
older card it is probable that XP has some minimal driver support for it.
At that point you can go to NVIDIA's site and get the newest drivers for
your card and update them.

Good Luck,
Len