Windows Experience Index Rating

[greg]

My "Graphics" and "Gaming Graphics" ratings are both 1.0. What do I need to
do to increase them?
I also get a warning message when trying to play any games that reads:
"Hardware acceleration is either disabled or not supported by your video card
driver, which could slow game performance. Make sure you have the latest
video card driver installed and that hardware acceleration is turned on."
How do I check the video card driver and where do I go to download the latest
version?

 

[C.B.]

My "Graphics" and "Gaming Graphics" ratings are both 1.0. What do I need
to
do to increase them?
I also get a warning message when trying to play any games that reads:
"Hardware acceleration is either disabled or not supported by your video
card
driver, which could slow game performance. Make sure you have the latest
video card driver installed and that hardware acceleration is turned on."
How do I check the video card driver and where do I go to download the
latest
version?

Greg,

I don't think a newer driver is going to help you. You need to replace
your graphics card with a much better one, provided your system will support
it.

C.B.

 

[greg]

Suggestions? How do I know what I currently have and what are the questions I
need to ask to determine what I need to upgrade to?

 

[Lang Murphy]

My "Graphics" and "Gaming Graphics" ratings are both 1.0. What do I need to
do to increase them?
I also get a warning message when trying to play any games that reads:
"Hardware acceleration is either disabled or not supported by your video card
driver, which could slow game performance. Make sure you have the latest
video card driver installed and that hardware acceleration is turned on."
How do I check the video card driver and where do I go to download the latest
version?

Need the specifics of your system's hardware configuration... CPU, RAM,
HD, etc...

Lang

 

[Not Me]

Have you clicked the 'update score' on the experience score page?
What type of video card do you have?

 

[Gary Mount]

Awww, I just answered you in the vista.performance_maintenance news group.
anyways I will copy and paste that post into this one.

"
Go into Device Manager in Computer Management. On the right section expand
the Display adapters icon.
What display adapter does it show your system has?
For example my system shows "ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro AGP".
My graphics score is 4.7 and 4.8.

"

 

[Charlie42]

How do I know what I currently have

Usually it says so on a sticker on the computer, but you can also find that
information in the Welcome Center (Accessories menu).

and what are the questions I need to ask to determine what I need to
upgrade to?

Windows Vista recommended system requirements:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/systemrequirements.mspx

Understand and improve your computer's performance in Windows Vista:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/0fee4637-8b21-41f1-87f6-66d2205420d61033.mspx

And check out wether or not your machine can handle the new hardware you
decide upon. Take a look at the computer manufacturer's support site, and
ask in the store.

Charlie42

 

[Earle Horton]

The answer depends on your intended uses for the machine. Are you a gamer?
Or just someone who sends email now and then? Do you like to watch movies
on the computer, or do you just use your satellite DVR? Lots of people can
just go into WalMart and buy the latest Dell $500 special.

By the way, any Windows Experience Index lower than 5,000 will be inadequate
for your needs.

Earle

 

[Colon Terminus]

My "Graphics" and "Gaming Graphics" ratings are both 1.0. What do I need
to
do to increase them?
I also get a warning message when trying to play any games that reads:
"Hardware acceleration is either disabled or not supported by your video
card
driver, which could slow game performance. Make sure you have the latest
video card driver installed and that hardware acceleration is turned on."
How do I check the video card driver and where do I go to download the
latest
version?

No need to "check the video card driver", an updated driver ain't gonna
help.

You probably have an on-board video chip. You need to replace this with a
"real" video card.
You need to know what vid cards your motherboard can accomodate; PCI, AGP or
PCI Express. If it can accomodate AGP or PCI Express then you need to know
the level of AGP or PCI Express support.

If you can tell us your PC make and model or the installed motherboard if
it's a custom build, then we can give you better and more detailed advice.

Are your other scores reasonable? 4.7 or higher? Is this a new computer or
and older computer upgraded to Windows Vista? If it is an older computer, it
just might not be a viable candidate for Vista.