New Graphics Card Will Not Install

**Scott_1A** · October 13th, 2012, 07:20 PM

I have a Dell Inspiron 530S which currently has an Intel onboard graphics adapter (Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100). I have been attempting to install a new video card in the system to replace the onboard adapter, so far without any success.

First of all, I got a Radeon X1300 DMS59 256 MB GDDR2 PCI Graphics Card which was not a great match for my system but was one which I was told should work in my Inspiron. The card only had a DVI-I connector. After I installed the card and since I didn’t have a DVI cable on hand, I connected the monitor (Dell widescreen monitor which has only a VGA port and a DVI-D port) to the new card using a DVI/VGA adapter which was enclosed with the card and the VGA port on the monitor.

After I installed the card and completed the connection, the monitor would only display the monitor configuration settings and basic self test, a screen which indicates that the monitor is not physically connected. When I powered on the system, the monitor continued to indicate that it was not connected and even though I had carefully verified that the cable connections were firmly and correctly made.

Furthermore, if I left the card seated and reconnected the monitor using the VGA connection on the monitor which I had been using since the system was new, the monitor continued to indicate that it was not physically connected. This verified to me that having the new card seated (even though not connected to the monitor at this point) disabled and over rode the computer’s VGA adapter.

This is correct operation of the card installation according to my understanding of the operation of the adapters (i.e. that installation of a new graphics card would disable the old onboard graphics accelerator).

After much frustration with trying to get the card to work (I had also verified that the BIOS was properly recognizing the card), I contacted the card manufacturer. They informed me that the card should work properly using the VGA adapter enclosed with the card and after some discussion and tests, they could only conclude at this point that the card was defective.

I returned the card and this time purchased a Radeon HD5450 1 GB PCI/E card (the previous one had been PCI). The new card has only a DVI-I port and an HMI port in the low profile version (which is what I am using). This time I connected it via a DVI-D cable which has DVI-D male connectors on both ends. That means that the male end of the cable is connected to the DVI-I port on the card, which I am told should work properly.

After making this connection and trying the new card, I have the EXACT SAME PROBLEM as I had with the previous X1300 PCI card, that is that the monitor doesn't indicate a physical connection. I have even tried connecting the new card using a HDMI cable connected to the card port and an HDMI/DVI adapter on the monitor end and still got the same problem.

I am totaling baffled at this point. That’s two different cards that I’ve tried now and received the exact same problem symptoms. They both almost certainly could not be defective (the first one probably wasn’t defective either now in hindsight). Does anyone here have any ideas that could help me solve this puzzle? I am absolutely stumped at this point and have run out of things to try.

**paul9** · October 13th, 2012, 07:43 PM

Before you install the card, go into your BIOS and set the system to use the PCI-e external card as a primary graphics adapter over the built in graphics. Save and shut down. Then try installing the new card.

**Scott_1A** · October 13th, 2012, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by paul9

Before you install the card, go into your BIOS and set the system to use the PCI-e external card as a primary graphics adapter over the built in graphics. Save and shut down. Then try installing the new card.

Thanks for the response. The BIOS on my system only allows 2 settings, one is "go to the PCI slot first" or "go to the onboard adapter first". I find this strange since the system specs indicate that the PCI/E x 16 slot in the system (where the new HD5450 card fits) is designated for "Graphics".

In any case, when I had the same problem with the previous card, which WAS PCI and in the PCI slot, the BIOS had been set to go to the PCI slot first, as it is also set to do now. It still did not work even though the BIOS is set to go to the PCI slot first and there was a PCI adapter in that slot at the time.

Finally, the BIOS only specifies which card to go to FIRST which means to me that whichever adapter it is set to go to first, if the system finds none there it moves on to whatever adapter IS present. Otherwise, it wouldn't be able to find the onboard adapter as it is doing now even though the BIOS is set to go to the PCI slot.

**paul9** · October 13th, 2012, 08:41 PM

Are the graphics memory settings in a sane state, there? Either Auto, Disabled or the lowest value possible?
And the onboard graphics is switched out when the card is plugged in? So if you were to plug the card in, and start the PC with the monitor still plugged up to the onboard graphics, instead of the card, you get a blank screen, or other No Signal type indication?

**Scott_1A** · October 13th, 2012, 09:37 PM

>>Are the graphics memory settings in a sane state, there? Either Auto, Disabled or the lowest value possible?<<

Video memory size is set to 8 MB (only other option is 1 MB).

DVMT mode is set to DVMT (other option is "fixed".

DVMT/FIXED memory size = MAX (other options are 128 MB and 256 MB).

>> And the onboard graphics is switched out when the card is plugged in? So if you were to plug the card in, and start the PC with the monitor still plugged up to the onboard graphics, instead of the card, you get a blank screen, or other No Signal type indication?<<

That's true. With the card seated, the onboard adapter is disabled and the monitor shows no connection there. If I remove the card, the VGA connection once again becomes active.

I just checked the BIOS level on my system and there is a later version available. I'm going to download that and try it next.

**JEROY** · October 14th, 2012, 07:10 AM

Many Graphic Cards do not recognize different brands of screens easily ; I suggest this turn around . In XP , and before you install a new device , there is this option in Add\Remove , that asks you if you had installed a new device or not ; You should check the " I didn't install the new hardware yet " , then the system will shut down automatically . Here , you'll add the new Graphic card , and the system upon the next restart will be aware of it .

In Vista and windows 7 , you have to start the same procedure from "Devices and printers "..
Another turn around is to borrow another monitor or an LCD for awhile , if lucky , they would match the Graphic card required resolution..

**JEROY** · October 14th, 2012, 07:16 AM

There's also another odd and weird way , but i don't recommend at all . Try to shut down your system many times ... And , at a certain point , it will start in safe mode , and , of course , with a low resolution which will catch with the Graphic card .