Video Card upgrade

[bezpal]

I've red a bunch of topics but still can't figure out my problem:
I'm upgrading my Sony Vaio installing new AGP video card instead of the
on board controller.
So, I went to the Control panel->Add remove programs looking for any
video drivers to uninstall, but found none. Does it make sense?

Then I installed new card, reconnected monitor and boot up. It went
into low resolution, but seems to be high color mode.

After I login into admin account it works for about 30 sec. and hangs
after that (doesn't matter if I try to do anything or not). There is no
time to install new driver.

Additional piece of info: my board supports AGP 4, card is AGP 8 but
Tigerdirect was saying it is 4-compartible.

Would anybody have any idea what to do?
Thanks!

 

[Mike T.]

I've red a bunch of topics but still can't figure out my problem:
I'm upgrading my Sony Vaio installing new AGP video card instead of the
on board controller.
So, I went to the Control panel->Add remove programs looking for any
video drivers to uninstall, but found none. Does it make sense?

Yes. If you find something in add/remove programs, that is some kind of
OPTIONAL software for a video card. Installing the optional software can
(sometimes) also start the installation of the mandatory drivers. But if
you aren't picky about drivers, windows itself will often install drivers
that will work just fine, automatically.

To remove drivers, start, control panel, system, hardware, device manager.
Here you will find your video card(s) listed (display adapters), and if you
click the + you can see detailled information. Right-click whatever driver
you want to remove and then choose uninstall.

Then I installed new card, reconnected monitor and boot up. It went
into low resolution, but seems to be high color mode.

Perfectly understandable. Before proper drivers for the video card are
installed, the monitor most likely will not be detected. Before the monitor
is detected, it wouldn't be safe to run the video card in high resolution or
higher refresh rates.

After I login into admin account it works for about 30 sec. and hangs
after that (doesn't matter if I try to do anything or not). There is no
time to install new driver.

Most likely, this is because of a resource conflict. You've essentially got
two video cards installed. I'm talking HARDWARE here, forget about drivers
for a moment. You need to reboot, enter your BIOS setup screens (usually
hit del as system is starting, but the vaio usually uses f2 or f3, instead).
When you get into the BIOS setup screen, look for a way to disable onboard
video. That is how you 'remove' the original video card. Save settings and
exit.

Additional piece of info: my board supports AGP 4, card is AGP 8 but
Tigerdirect was saying it is 4-compartible.

YES, in most cases, that is correct. An AGP 8 card should work OK in an AGP
4 slot.

Would anybody have any idea what to do?

I suspect you'll be fine as soon as you've entered the BIOS to turn off the
onboard video. -Dave