Video Card Question.

shaz77_2

How do I find out if there is a video card installed on my PC, and if there is one how do I go about updating the drivers for it?

Thanks in advance.

weegie.geek

There is a video card, because you're able to see things on the monitor.

It might not be a physical add-in card though, it might be built into the motherboard. Either way, you want to find out what it is, then find the drivers for it.

There are a few tools specifically for helping with this. DriverMax is pretty decent, and free. It'll update the drivers for you, with just a few clicks.

Why do you think you need to update the drivers?

shaz77_2

Thanks for that, the reason is that I'm trying to play 'Call of duty' and the following error message appears

OD 1.3 build win-x86 Mar 2 2004

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FS_Startup

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Current language: english
Current search path:
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\pakb.pk3 (60 files)
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\paka.pk3 (41 files)
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\pak9.pk3 (149 files)
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\pak8.pk3 (235 files)
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\pak6.pk3 (3 files)
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\pak5.pk3 (4858 files)
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\pak4.pk3 (1668 files)
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\pak3.pk3 (1992 files)
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\pak2.pk3 (694 files)
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\pak1.pk3 (2642 files)
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\pak0.pk3 (12816 files)
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1/main
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\localized_english_pak5.pk3 (46 files)
localized assets pak file for english
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\localized_english_pak3.pk3 (7 files)
localized assets pak file for english
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\localized_english_pak2.pk3 (9 files)
localized assets pak file for english
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\localized_english_pak1.pk3 (3736 files)
localized assets pak file for english
C:\PROGRA~1\CALLOF~1\main\localized_english_pak0.pk3 (1204 files)
localized assets pak file for english

File Handles:

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30160 files in pk3 files
execing default.cfg
couldn't exec language.cfg
couldn't exec config.cfg
couldn't exec autoexec.cfg
========= autoconfigure
configure.csv: using configuration 800 cpu MHz 192 sys MB 64 vid MB
execing configure.cfg
fs_basepath is write protected.
fs_homepath is write protected.
Hunk_Clear: reset the hunk ok
...detecting CPU, found AMD w/ 3DNow!
Measured CPU speed is 0.89 GHz
System memory is 240 MB (capped at 1 GB)
Video card memory is 64 MB
Streaming SIMD Extensions (SSE) not supported

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Client Initialization

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Initializing Renderer ----

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Client Initialization Complete

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R_Init

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Initializing OpenGL subsystem
...initializing QGL
...calling LoadLibrary( 'C:\WINDOWS\system32\opengl32.dll' ): succeeded
...setting mode 4: 800 600 FS
...using colorbits of 32
...calling CDS: ok
...registered window class
...created window@0,0 (800x600)
Initializing OpenGL driver
...getting DC: succeeded
...GLW_ChoosePFD( 32, 24, 8 )
...41 PFDs found
...hardware acceleration found
...PIXELFORMAT 4 selected
...creating GL context: succeeded
...making context current: succeeded
Initializing OpenGL extensions

GL_VENDOR: SiS AGP
GL_RENDERER: 630/730 / MMX
GL_VERSION: 2.09
GL_EXTENSIONS: GL_ARB_multitexture GL_EXT_abgr GL_EXT_bgra GL_EXT_compiled_vertex_array GL_EXT_packed_pixels GL_EXT_texture_object GL_EXT_vertex_array GL_SGIS_multitexture GL_WIN_swap_hint

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CL_Shutdown

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RE_Shutdown( 1 )
Shutting down OpenGL subsystem
...wglMakeCurrent( NULL, NULL ): success
...deleting GL context: success
...releasing DC: success
...destroying window
...resetting display
...shutting down QGL
...unloading OpenGL DLL

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Hunk_Clear: reset the hunk ok
Your video card appears to be missing one or more features required to run Call of Duty.

You should install the latest drivers for your video card, being sure to uninstall the old drivers first. If you already have the latest drivers, you should completely uninstall the drivers and then reinstall them. This fixes most problems. If the game still doesn't work, it may be that your video card does not have the minimum features required. Please check the readme for more information, including a list of supported video cards.

weegie.geek

SiS stopped supporting that chipset in 2003, but it's worth double checking that you have the newest drivers. Possibly the second newest set, because it seems that the very newest (albeit 6 years old) drivers don't work properly.

Now... Call of Duty was released in 2003. The chipset you have was at the end of its life in 2003. It was 4 years old by then. The chances are that updating the drivers won't be much use. It's more likely to be that the chipset lacks functionality than the drivers aren't capable.

pjcbuilder

shaz77 wrote: »

How do I find out if there is a video card installed on my PC, and if there is one how do I go about updating the drivers for it?

Thanks in advance.

The obvious answer is OPEN your PC and Look - its only two screws!!

However your game stats are indicating a shared memory of 64MB which would indicate the graphics are built in. I would still open your case to check what kind of slot you have ie AGP (likely if it's more than 3 yrs old) or PCI-Express (which would be the latest which in your instance is unlikely)

The good news is you can still get good AGP cards under £100 which will play all the latest games ie ones like the following:

PowerColor HD3650 512MB DDR2 AGP video card,
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 3850 512MB GDDR3 AGP,

Check around there are still sites listing these cards

weegie.geek

pjcbuilder wrote: »

The obvious answer is OPEN your PC and Look - its only two screws!!

The question's already been answered. Welcome to yesterday.

However your game stats are indicating a shared memory of 64MB which would indicate the graphics are built in. I would still open your case to check what kind of slot you have ie AGP (likely if it's more than 3 yrs old) or PCI-Express (which would be the latest which in your instance is unlikely)

We've already ascertained the age of the pc.

The good news is you can still get good AGP cards under £100 which will play all the latest games ie ones like the following:

PowerColor HD3650 512MB DDR2 AGP video card,
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 3850 512MB GDDR3 AGP,

Check around there are still sites listing these cards

Both of which would be completely wasted on an 800mhz athlon with 192MB of ram. Who puts a card with 512MB into a PC with 192MB?

If the OP really wants to upgrade, nothing above a Radeon 9800 would be of any use, imo. With a 9800 they'd be able to play any game that wouldn't grind to a halt with the rest of their components. The 9800 is probably overkill in fact, but they can be had for £20 from ebay. You might find that something like a Ti4200 would be more than enough for that machine.

That's all assuming it even has an AGP slot, which it may or may not depending on the motherboard. Then there's whether the power supply could handle a more powerful card. THEN there's whether the AGP slot, if it has one, is 1.5v or 0.8v compatible. I very much doubt a board of this vintage would be anything other than AGP 1x or 2x, ruling out any of the cards you or I have mentioned.

I really wouldn't bother upgrading this machine in any way other than replacing CPU/MOBO/RAM/PSU/GFX.

So a new PC, basically.