graphics card?

virgin_moneysaver

over the past few weeks we had a problem with our PC (dell windows xp) so much so that I had to reload everything - my son says theres a problem with graphics & that we need to reload a graphics card - I can't find anything among the cd discs that came with the PC - can I do some sort of free download via the internet & if so, which is the best one? - many thanx

niceguyrichy

we need details of the problems and of the comp system to help

toastydave

https://www.nvidia.com

https://www.ati.com

Lord_Chris

it is very unlikely that your son is right. However, for the sake of ruling it out, you can check your graphics card by doing this:

control panel > system > hardware (tab at the top) > device manager > Display adaptors

Under display adaptors (if you have a graphics card) will be a name... something like Nvidia chipset or ATI Radeon followed by a model number and stuff. If you do not have a graphics card (onboard graphics on your motherboard) there wont be anything in the list and the graphics is not the problem.

if there is something in the list, double click on it, and in the new window it will say either "this device is working properly" or an eroor message. If theres an error message, go to the manufacturers website (https://www.ati.com or https://www.nvidia.com) go to their downloads section, and find the drivers for that graphics card. If your graphics card is the source of the problem, the drivers SHOULD fix it... if that doesnt work then we'll need more information to help you

virgin_moneysaver

basically the system crashed for no reason that we know of - I had to reload the windows xp disc & various others - the only thing I couldn't get to accept was the ethernet cable for the broadband I had to go back to using the usb cable - I did what you said & went through to the device manager etc - the only ones that have a yellow question mark next to are 1. ethernet controller 2. pci modem 3. video controller 4. video controller <vga compatible>

wonderfullife_2

Hi
Which Dell model is it? Do you know if its an onboard graphics card, or did you upgrade your graphics card when you bought your dell.

If you go to the UK Dell website, look for Support, enter your model and it will come up with all the drivers for your pc, download the drivers for your graphics card, and ethernet card and install them.

Hope this helps

virgin_moneysaver

I did as per #4 (see #5) but I can't see anything that relates to a graphics card - my son has taken delivery of a new game today that is multi windows (95 /98/ ME/XP) it will install ok but when you try & play it Dell says there's a problem & shuts the game down - I'm really pulling my hair out as it doesn't effect my time on the PC but when the boys try & play games they are driving me nuts as they can't get most of them to work since it crashed & I'm C**P with computers, I don't understand about drivers etc

Browntoa

what game are we talking about ??

albertross_2

Is your graphics card listed on the box of the game, if not, it probably won't work.

Try start, run, dxdiag

"there's a problem" .. you need to be more specific for anyone to help.

startrekker

1. ethernet controller 2. pci modem 3. video controller 4. video controller <vga compatible>.

Well everyones on the right track. No drivers are properly installed for the above..hence he has to use the usb as a connection to the net..Nearly there.
Our friend is right if you can get the model number of your pc and visit DELL and download the drivers then fingers crossed all is ok.

If your pc came with a recovery disk the drivers should be on it.

If you are unsure and have a disk from dell try this

Open control panel

open the system folder
click on hardware then device manager
right click on the icon which has a yellow exclamation mark on it
select update driver
select no not at this time then next
put the disk in you have from dell
if the drivers are on that disk then you will be fine

if they arent it will tell you
you can try it again with another disk you have from dell

hope this helps

virgin_moneysaver

Browntoa wrote:

what game are we talking about ??

eurofighter typhoon