Dell Dimension 2400 - Questions about installing pci Nvidia G-Force 6200

**BigB0SS** · July 26th, 2012, 12:45 PM

I read some articles about pci graphics cards that can be used with Dimension 2400. Some articles mentioned being able to get Nvidia G-Force 6200's working with Dimension 2400.

However a lot of these articles mention problems with installation. Since Dimension 2400 originally came with onboard graphics, most people had to disable with Windows Device Manager before installing pci card/software.

Question I have is, I'm doing a clean OS install. If I install the pci card in the mobo slot prior to OS installation, will it automatically detect and use the pci card rather than using onboard graphics?

**stroyal** · July 26th, 2012, 01:18 PM

Welcome to TechIMO!

Originally coming with on-board has nothing to do with, if you can add, an expansion card.
On-board is extremely common, and Dells are no different than every other computer.

That being said, I have rarely seen, on-board with PCI slots, that won't rune 3 video cards in the PCI slots, and still use the on-board for a 4th monitor.

You would not disable it in Device Manager anyway, (I guess you could though) you would do it in the BIOS.
Nothing anyone would call a problem, it is just the way it works.

Some AGP boards will disable on-board as soon as you plug in a video card, into the AGP slot.

There could be PCI only boards that do that also. (edit, now that I think about it, I have a PCI only Gigabyte board that dose that)

It should automatically find the card, if you just shut down the computer, install the card, and restart.
No clean install needed.
All video card, run initially on Basic VGA Drivers, that are always present.

If it doesn't recognize the card, and I highly doubt it won't, just reboot and go int the BIOS, and look for the setting to disable on-board, or boot from PCI first.

Checking the basement
I just booted up a 2400 I have, in the basement, and the only BIOS setting for graphics is AUTO, or ONBOARD

If you have it set to auto, both should work at the same time.

I don't know if I have ever tried it with the 2400, but I have 3000s that I have run 2 monitors on for years, that use on-board for 1, and a PCI card for the other.

If you have trouble, I'll set up the 2400 with a PCI card, and see how it works.

**stroyal** · July 26th, 2012, 01:57 PM

OK, I'm impatient.

As I suspected, I slapped in a PCI card, switched the monitor plug, and it immediately booted to the PCI card.
It than asks to reboot, and when it dose, the monitor initially, works, but when windows takes over from the BIOS it goes blank.

Not a problem.

There is a slight hitch, it assumes, you are going to use 2 monitors.

All you have to do, is switch the monitor back to the on-board (turn off the monitor when making the switch) right click the screen choose properties, then choose the settings tab.

You may have to drag the right monitor to the left first, before the check boxes works, I wasn't paying attention, check the box to make it your primary monitor, and make sure the other monitor, isn't checked to extend desktop to it.

Turn off the monitor, swap the plugs, turn the monitor back on, and you are good to go.

Or use 2 monitors.
I can't use one any more, it is just too cramped.

Even my laptops, I like to have 2 monitors, or I use 2 laptops.

**BigB0SS** · July 26th, 2012, 02:29 PM

Thanks for testing it and the responses

I put this computer back together recently so am doing a full OS install (sorry about confusion, its a reinstall in the sense that I'm using the dell provided discs, but this is a clean install to a new hdd).

After reading what you posted, the question now: is it okay to set bios settings to auto when doing a clean install. Or should I have it set to onboard, do the OS install, and then follow your steps?

**stroyal** · July 26th, 2012, 02:29 PM

XP had drivers, and installed them on the reboot for the card I used, but if it doesn't have yours, check windows update, first.

Unless you have a good driver disk

**BigB0SS** · July 26th, 2012, 02:32 PM

Placing the card in mobo and having the settings on auto will not be a problem during clean OS install?

**stroyal** · July 26th, 2012, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by BigB0SS

Thanks for testing it and the responses

I put this computer back together recently so am doing a full OS install (sorry about confusion, its a reinstall in the sense that I'm using the dell provided discs, but this is a clean install to a new hdd).

After reading what you posted, the question now: is it okay to set it to bios settings to auto when doing a clean install. Or should I have it set to on-0board, do the OS install, and then follow your steps?

I'd have to do it myself to see.
I say this is an exact science, but sometimes it is only kinda exact.

Give it a try, the BIOS is going to initially run thing.

If you don't want to waste time experimenting, do it with the on-board, and switch after the install, it is easy.

My 2400 is a loner that I give people when, I fix their computers, and the last person, filled it with crap, so it is due for a reinstall, but probably not today.

But I never know, when the spirit will move me.

**BigB0SS** · July 26th, 2012, 02:50 PM

Okay thanks man

Another question:

The Dell provided disc is XP SP1a. I've read that you can jump from SP1a straight to SP3.

I've already downloaded the SP3 file from Windows site. I've read its better to avoid updating with Windows Update if you're using SP1 or SP1a (I cant run programs like Norton Internet Security 2012 since they only work with SP2 or higher).

But anyways, I recently had trouble downloading drivers updates for XP on Windows Update (perhaps due to support for XP ending soon?) What program would you recommend downloading for finding newest drivers?

**stroyal** · July 26th, 2012, 04:41 PM

First I wouldn't run Norton even if I was paid to, and I don't think you will find anyone else here that would.

Talk about paying for something, that doesn't work as good as many free ones.
Microsoft Security Essentials is free, to mention 1

Windows XP update dose not work any longer with anything but service pack 3.
So you don't have the choice, you have to down load 2 and 3.

Absolutely don't use a program for drivers, you are asking for trouble.

Go to the Dell sight, and enter you Service Tag Number, and get the drivers, made for the 2400.

If Windows Update doesn't have drivers for the PCI video card, get them from the card manufacturer.
Chances are very high, Windows XP has them, without windows update, and will install them automatically.

I've probably used Windows Update 100 times for XP, and never had a problem.
It is a fantasy that windows updater has a problems.

Just like the people that still use service pack2, because 3 gives them a problem, Bologna!!!!

I have never heard of jumping past service pack 2, but I don't know everything.

I have service pack 2 and 3 on disk, and have used it a dozen times just this year.

Even after installing service pack 3 there are 80 or 100 updates you still have to go to windows update for.

**JPMiller** · July 26th, 2012, 04:54 PM

each successive service pack includes thr previous packs... so an old original XP basic install can be fully updated to SP3 in one shot.
No need to install previous SP's

**stroyal** · July 26th, 2012, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by JPMiller

each successive service pack includes thr previous packs... so an old original XP basic install can be fully updated to SP3 in one shot.
No need to install previous SP's

Thanks JP, that will save me a lot of time.

I was going to suggest Ninite also.

I've been a little distracted, I just dumped a whole glass of milk in my i5 laptop

I think I saved it, I'm posting on it now,

**BigB0SS** · July 26th, 2012, 06:50 PM

Hmm. Regardless of the security, is it smart to get on Windows Update for drivers and service pack updates with SP1a?

I'll probably just install SP3 from the file I downloaded and burned to disc. I'm just trying to verify what I read: that updating to SP3 from burned disc/usb/external hdd would be safer.

But on the topic of security, how is avast!

**stroyal** · July 26th, 2012, 07:13 PM

If JP says you don't need service pack 2, before you load 3, then it is so.

You have to down load it and burn to disk/USB/HDD, as windows update only works after service pack3 is installed now.
Never heard of it being safer, unless you have the stuxnet virus.
You are not running a nuclear reactor in Iran are you?

I used Avast for years, and I like it.

Windows Security Essentials has a malware scanner as well, and that is the only reason I switched, so I don't need a stand alone one.

If you didn't catch my comment on Ninite, you can go to that sight, check what program you want to add Avast, Abobe Reader, Firefox, and many other commonly used programs,and it will down load an installer.

You then just click the installer, and walk away.
Saves a lot of time

Ninite - Install or Update Multiple Apps at Once