moving my graphics card, now I have a black monitor

Rachel · Jan 19, 2006, 01:12 AM

I moved my geforce4 mx 440-se from my old computer (where it worked and loaded fine) to my new one (hp with 3400+ AMD Athlon 64 processor and an ATI Radeon xpress 200 graphics (built in card). I followed the directions and turned off the ATI card, put in the nvidia card, connected everything, turned it on and had a big black screen.

Eventually managed to start it in safe mode, load driver (old - version 5.6.7.3 from 2004) Since then the game works fine, but when I go to start up the computer, the screen is black. Pushing F8 at start up does not start me in safemode, but will, inconsistently, get everything working fine. Yesterday, I got everything going on the 2nd attempt. Today it was the 10th attempt. (I'm not sure pushing F8 is doing anything) I rechecked my connections and they are tight. I am plugged into the new card.

I suspect everyones first advice will be get an updated driver. Can I use any version for nvidia force cards (there are so many different versions out there)? or do I need one specific for an mx440-se? By the way, I am running windows xp, same as on my old computer. The monitor is a flat panel Samsung, but under my device manager for monitors, it just lists "plug and play"

I am not very savvy with computers, so any help will be much appreciated. It's very annoying to have to turn the computer off and on (at the surge protector, since I can't see the screen) so many times just to use it.
Thanks
Rachel

>GSXR<mrbusa · Jan 19, 2006, 02:04 AM

the driver is two old for that mobo.go to nvidia site and download latest driverset for your operating system or search for a modded one that suits your needs.try guru3d.com.unless you install the drivers for your monitor that came with it manually then it will say plug and play.

Matth · Jan 19, 2006, 03:00 PM

I'm not sure that you made a positive move anyway - Radeon Xpress is DirectX9 hardware, pixel shader 2.0 and all, while a Geforce 4 MX is not even DirectX8 hradware, no pixel shaders at all.

Since Radeon Xpress is a PCI Express chipset, and not AGP, are we talking about a PCI card here ? - replacing one of the better onboards with an obsolete PCI card is almost certain to be a backward step.

Asmoday · Jan 19, 2006, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matth

I'm not sure that you made a positive move anyway - Radeon Xpress is DirectX9 hardware, pixel shader 2.0 and all, while a Geforce 4 MX is not even DirectX8 hradware, no pixel shaders at all.

Since Radeon Xpress is a PCI Express chipset, and not AGP, are we talking about a PCI card here ? - replacing one of the better onboards with an obsolete PCI card is almost certain to be a backward step.

Agreed!

Rachel · Jan 19, 2006, 09:02 PM

If my onboard card is sufficient for the game, I would be more than happy to switch back. The Radeon xpress card came with the computer, I am not sure if it is PCI or built into the motherboard. The games minimum requirements are ATI radeon 7000/8500/9000/X families. I assumed that since my card number is lower than the recommended that it wouldn't work. I never did try the game with the onboard graphics card.

Rachel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matth

I'm not sure that you made a positive move anyway - Radeon Xpress is DirectX9 hardware, pixel shader 2.0 and all, while a Geforce 4 MX is not even DirectX8 hradware, no pixel shaders at all.

Since Radeon Xpress is a PCI Express chipset, and not AGP, are we talking about a PCI card here ? - replacing one of the better onboards with an obsolete PCI card is almost certain to be a backward step.

Matth · Jan 21, 2006, 03:57 PM

I believe the Radeon Xpress is of a level similar to an X300 - and it's probably the most powerful onboard solution around, and definaitely more powerful than a 7000, by a large margin.

Rachel · Jan 22, 2006, 12:59 PM

Thanks for all your info. I went back to the onboard card, tried the game, and after adjusting options in the game to decrease textures and antialiasing, etc, had a totally acceptable game play AND a monitor that comes up when I turn on my computer. Really appreciate your help.

Jan 19, 2006, 01:12 AM	#1
Rachel DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	moving my graphics card, now I have a black monitor I moved my geforce4 mx 440-se from my old computer (where it worked and loaded fine) to my new one (hp with 3400+ AMD Athlon 64 processor and an ATI Radeon xpress 200 graphics (built in card). I followed the directions and turned off the ATI card, put in the nvidia card, connected everything, turned it on and had a big black screen. Eventually managed to start it in safe mode, load driver (old - version 5.6.7.3 from 2004) Since then the game works fine, but when I go to start up the computer, the screen is black. Pushing F8 at start up does not start me in safemode, but will, inconsistently, get everything working fine. Yesterday, I got everything going on the 2nd attempt. Today it was the 10th attempt. (I'm not sure pushing F8 is doing anything) I rechecked my connections and they are tight. I am plugged into the new card. I suspect everyones first advice will be get an updated driver. Can I use any version for nvidia force cards (there are so many different versions out there)? or do I need one specific for an mx440-se? By the way, I am running windows xp, same as on my old computer. The monitor is a flat panel Samsung, but under my device manager for monitors, it just lists "plug and play" I am not very savvy with computers, so any help will be much appreciated. It's very annoying to have to turn the computer off and on (at the surge protector, since I can't see the screen) so many times just to use it. Thanks Rachel

Jan 19, 2006, 02:04 AM	#2
>GSXR<mrbusa im a FREAK Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,107 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	the driver is two old for that mobo.go to nvidia site and download latest driverset for your operating system or search for a modded one that suits your needs.try guru3d.com.unless you install the drivers for your monitor that came with it manually then it will say plug and play.

Jan 19, 2006, 03:00 PM	#3
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	I'm not sure that you made a positive move anyway - Radeon Xpress is DirectX9 hardware, pixel shader 2.0 and all, while a Geforce 4 MX is not even DirectX8 hradware, no pixel shaders at all. Since Radeon Xpress is a PCI Express chipset, and not AGP, are we talking about a PCI card here ? - replacing one of the better onboards with an obsolete PCI card is almost certain to be a backward step.

Jan 21, 2006, 03:57 PM	#6
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	I believe the Radeon Xpress is of a level similar to an X300 - and it's probably the most powerful onboard solution around, and definaitely more powerful than a 7000, by a large margin.

Jan 22, 2006, 12:59 PM	Thread Starter #7
Rachel DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for all your info. I went back to the onboard card, tried the game, and after adjusting options in the game to decrease textures and antialiasing, etc, had a totally acceptable game play AND a monitor that comes up when I turn on my computer. Really appreciate your help.