END OF MY ROPE

[Deckhead]

Help,

I am very dumb when it comes to computers. I have purchased a Radeon
9500 non-pro 128MB 8X graphics card specifically to play online
games.(Planetside) My comp specs are as follows: DELL 8200 Demension
2.0 ghz P4, 768 RDRAM, 400 FSB (it had a gforce4 64MB fx card)

I have just installed the new card and All programs that I use run
fine, but little things like the words I am typing, some are black and
some are blue.(very annoying). When I play Planetside all of the
graphics "splinter" horribly. I have read where it could be numerous
things. Fast writes, BIOS, Settings, (Heat and Power I can deal
with), or just a messed up card. Is there anyone who can tell me in
layman's terms step for step:

1)how to disable fast writes,

2)how to upgrade BIOS w/o killing my comp,

3)what setting I need to be running.

4) I tried to download Catalyst 3.0a, but when I try to install it, it
makes me reboot, tells me it is going to run some tests but does
nothing, and never shows me the program to run.

PS: when installing card I connected the card's power cord to what I
believe is the HD. Is this correct?

Thanks so much,

Deckhead

 

[John]

more than likel the old nVidia drivers are still in there, so you are
gonna have to remove them, use add/ remove programs, and maybe even use
something like Cleansweep to clean all of the nVidia stuff out. This is a
Dell, very proprietary, so keep that in mind as you work.
For now I strongly discurage upgrading the BIOS, more than likely you are
fine there. That is a last resort in any case, and I only do that if
absolutely necessary.

remove the old video drivers, set to standard VGA, reboot, and load the
ATI driver of choice

should work just fine

 

[Adrian]

Help,

I am very dumb when it comes to computers.
I have purchased a Radeon
9500 non-pro 128MB 8X graphics card specifically to play online
games.(Planetside) My comp specs are as follows: DELL 8200 Demension
2.0 ghz P4, 768 RDRAM, 400 FSB (it had a gforce4 64MB fx card)

Nice machine!

I have just installed the new card and All programs that I use run
fine, but little things like the words I am typing, some are black and
some are blue.(very annoying). When I play Planetside all of the
graphics "splinter" horribly. I have read where it could be numerous
things. Fast writes, BIOS, Settings, (Heat and Power I can deal
with), or just a messed up card. Is there anyone who can tell me in
layman's terms step for step:

1)how to disable fast writes,

With the ATI, this can be disabled by right clicking the desktop, then
selecting Properties. Once in there, go to the Settings tab. Once on the
Settings tab, click on Advanced. Once the large tabbed dialog box appears,
go to the SMARTGART(tm) tab and you'll see the option to disable Fast-writes
from there.

2)how to upgrade BIOS w/o killing my comp,

That's a big topic, more than I'll go into here. All I'll say, is follow
the instructions in the README.TXT with the BIOS update, plug your
computer's power cable into a surge protector (to stop electrical spikes
interrupting your PC), don't touch your computer until the flash process is
finished (and make sure you know what indicates a successful flash - e.g.
with Intel motherboards, a series of beeps indicates success). Flash
updates are normally done via MS-DOS and a floppy disk, which I prefer.

3)what setting I need to be running.

Not sure what you mean by this.

4) I tried to download Catalyst 3.0a, but when I try to install it, it
makes me reboot, tells me it is going to run some tests but does
nothing, and never shows me the program to run.

It could be you have drivers from a previous installation. Try uninstalling
the drivers from a previous card, and then changing your video adapter to
Standard VGA. Then install the ATI drivers.

PS: when installing card I connected the card's power cord to what I
believe is the HD. Is this correct?

Only if the HDD itself has a 4-pin power connector splitter plugged in. In
other words, from the PSUs own power connector, the splitter is plugged into
that, then the splitter provides two plugs, one to your video card and one
to your HDD.

~ Adrian ~

 

[Deckhead]

With the ATI, this can be disabled by right clicking the desktop, then
selecting Properties. Once in there, go to the Settings tab. Once on the
Settings tab, click on Advanced. Once the large tabbed dialog box appears,
go to the SMARTGART(tm) tab and you'll see the option to disable Fast-writes
from there.

I was able to disable fast writes, but to no avail, graphics still
splintered.

Not sure what you mean by this.
Video settings for display.

Here is where I am so far. I erased all files for Nvidia card
except for a DLL file that it would not let me erase. I uninstalled
the card from device manager. I then downloaded most recent catalyst
3.5 for my card. I then shut down comp. installed new card. reupped
comp. Installed new driver. Rebooted. Installed Control Panel.
Rebooted. Graphics still splinter in game. Even when I reboot the
DELL symbol is distorted. When I run BIOS, some of the letters and
numbers are distorted. I am stressed out. Also, I dont know if this
means anything but, my PSU only puts out a max of 250 watts.(good,
bad???) Any more info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Deck

 

[Pluvious]

"
Here is where I am so far. I erased all files for Nvidia card
except for a DLL file that it would not let me erase. I uninstalled
the card from device manager. I then downloaded most recent catalyst
3.5 for my card. I then shut down comp. installed new card. reupped
comp. Installed new driver. Rebooted. Installed Control Panel.
Rebooted. Graphics still splinter in game. Even when I reboot the
DELL symbol is distorted. When I run BIOS, some of the letters and
numbers are distorted. I am stressed out. Also, I dont know if this
means anything but, my PSU only puts out a max of 250 watts.(good,
bad???) Any more info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Deck

I would think that stray .dll you couldn't delete might be a problem.
If it's still there, try to delete it again. If you can't, try it in
SAFE MODE.

Also, I once found a tricky work around for this problem, I renamed
the file .. THEN deleted it after a reboot. (it couldn't load up at
the reboot since the name was wrong.. )

Pluvious

 

[Shaun]

250Watts is far too small. There's your problem.

ALso make sure the card is fully seated in the slot, there are 2 levels it
pushes through.

With the ATI, this can be disabled by right clicking the desktop, then
selecting Properties. Once in there, go to the Settings tab. Once on the
Settings tab, click on Advanced. Once the large tabbed dialog box appears,
go to the SMARTGART(tm) tab and you'll see the option to disable Fast-writes
from there.

I was able to disable fast writes, but to no avail, graphics still
splintered.

Not sure what you mean by this.
Video settings for display.

Here is where I am so far. I erased all files for Nvidia card
except for a DLL file that it would not let me erase. I uninstalled
the card from device manager. I then downloaded most recent catalyst
3.5 for my card. I then shut down comp. installed new card. reupped
comp. Installed new driver. Rebooted. Installed Control Panel.
Rebooted. Graphics still splinter in game. Even when I reboot the
DELL symbol is distorted. When I run BIOS, some of the letters and
numbers are distorted. I am stressed out. Also, I dont know if this
means anything but, my PSU only puts out a max of 250 watts.(good,
bad???) Any more info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Deck[/QUOTE]

 

[Ceyko]

250Watts is far too small. There's your problem.

Negative. This is the common perception from all DELL owners. Their
support boards have raved on about this for months now. On occasion Dell
reps that monitor the boards have made statements that their 250 power
supplies have been rated below specs. In actuality they are capable of 345
watts. Here are my specs that run fine on this type of PSU. Others claim
to have more HDDs and other accessories that me running off the stock PSU.

P4 3.06 ghz 800mhz fsb
Radeon 9800 np
512 PC 3200
Audigy 2
CDRW
DVD
60gb HDD
80gb ext firewire HDD
xp home

However, I think you still may be on to something.
1. No one will argue that these type of specs (even the orginal poster's)
will put the PS above 60% utilization. (just an estimate)
2. Any minor glitches the PS itself could cause it to work at less then
specs and your estimate would be true.
3. Any minor problems with the power being put into the PS could also hold
#2 try and again, your estimate would be true.

To Deckhead -
For a new power supply for you Dell, I recommend www.pcpowerandcooling they
make PS that are known to fit all Dells. Most "power" Dell users buy from
here. You can use their "Power Supply Selector" tool or simply email them.
They answer emails right away and a good at customer support and tech
support. Also, if wanted they can make just about any type of customized
power supply you could want.

Have you been able to rule out a faulty video card?

I wish you luck man,
Ceyko

ALso make sure the card is fully seated in the slot, there are 2 levels it
pushes through.

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[bp]

I was able to disable fast writes, but to no avail, graphics still
splintered.

Here is where I am so far. I erased all files for Nvidia card
except for a DLL file that it would not let me erase. I uninstalled
the card from device manager. I then downloaded most recent catalyst
3.5 for my card. I then shut down comp. installed new card. reupped
comp. Installed new driver. Rebooted. Installed Control Panel.
Rebooted. Graphics still splinter in game. Even when I reboot the
DELL symbol is distorted. When I run BIOS, some of the letters and
numbers are distorted. I am stressed out. Also, I dont know if this
means anything but, my PSU only puts out a max of 250 watts.(good,
bad???) Any more info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Deck

Christ what's with all the bad advice ?
Dude return the card I'll bet you the replacement works fine.

 

[Deckhead]

Christ what's with all the bad advice ?
Dude return the card I'll bet you the replacement works fine.

Thanks to all for suggestions, but I now believe BP is right. I tried
hooking up to 400W PSU, but still no changes. I even disconnected the
power cord to the card and even the message telling me it was not
connected was garbled. It is not my System board because my old card
boots up fine. I guess I need to return my card. Getting a pro
anyways.

Deck

 

[bp]

Thanks to all for suggestions, but I now believe BP is right. I tried
hooking up to 400W PSU, but still no changes. I even disconnected the
power cord to the card and even the message telling me it was not
connected was garbled. It is not my System board because my old card
boots up fine. I guess I need to return my card. Getting a pro
anyways.
Good luck with the new card.
Deck