New video card not being "connected"

[djspring]

I have installed a new video card that matches my system specs. I've loaded
it and started the computer. THe initial screens are fine and it shows the
screen Windows XP processing - then should launch into the main desktop
screen but it goes black with a white cursor. Even in safe mode I have the
white cursor and black screen. Wondering how I can get the new video card to
process and show me the desktop -- any suggestions? I've disabled the on
board video card and was hoping this would help but no luck. THanks!

 

[Rich Barry]

Try removing the Video Card and re- enable the onboard video. If you
still get a Black Screen with cursor then it's a XP Problem.

 

[M.I.5¾]

I have installed a new video card that matches my system specs. I've
loaded
it and started the computer. THe initial screens are fine and it shows
the
screen Windows XP processing - then should launch into the main desktop
screen but it goes black with a white cursor. Even in safe mode I have
the
white cursor and black screen. Wondering how I can get the new video card
to
process and show me the desktop -- any suggestions? I've disabled the on
board video card and was hoping this would help but no luck. THanks!

There is something that you forgot to do before changing the cards.
Hopefully you may be able to recover the situation. The first thing to try
is to repeatedly tap F8 while it boots up (should this take you into the
BIOS set up (as it does with some BIOSes) just exit without changes and
immediately hit F8 again. Select the option to boot in VGA mode.

If there is no option to do this, then you will have to do the following.

Remove the new card and put the old card back and boot the machine. If you
are lucky, the video should come to life. Now right click on the desktop
and select 'Properties' and then the 'Settings' tab. Now set the video to
640x480 with 16 bit colour depth. Accept the resolution when its offered.

Now shut down, remove the old card and insert the new. Boot up and the PC
should start up with the resolution selected. You can now install the new
video card's drivers and once you have done so select the resolution of your
choice.

Explanation for the curious: You tried to drive your new card while the PC
was set for a resolution that it could only do with the old card drivers
which aren't compatible with the new. Setting 480x640 16 colour forces the
PC to use the standard microsoft VGA driver which every graphic card
supports. Had your PC successfully booted in Safe mode, there would have
been an easier way of doing it - but it didn't.