View Full Version : Install new graphics card ?
bk39
Feb 23, 2009, 06:06 PM
Keep in mind that I am computer illiterate.
I have received the XFX GeoForce 9500 GT graphics card that Dell tells me will be sufficient to run MS Flight Simulator.
I hope to be able to installl this myself but I need some information.
It says that I need to remove any graphics card that I already have installed in my Dell Inspiron 530s PC, slim tower. I do not kjnow whether there is already an installed graphics card or not. What I do see is an Intel Graphics Mediator Accelerator Drive. When I click it shows "monitor" only.
Is that a graphics card that I must remove? If so, how do I do that, physically, or via the PC.
Then, and I am a bit timid about this, how do I install the new card? Will it fit in only one slot? There are several connections on the new card, two female connections, 1 green and one yellow, and a round female one for which the cord is supplied. Do I need other cables?
p.s. the round male cable has 4 pins although the card female recepter has 7 holes. Is this okay or do I need a new round cable with 7 pins?
Is "Integrated Intel Graphics" the card I must remove? It was included with the Dell Inspiron 530s I have.
Whew.
Can you help me? Can I do this?
Thanks.
P.s.s... Is the four pin male connector the right one for a 7 hole female receptor?
What attaches to the green and yellow recepters on the new graphics card.
Also, is a PCI-E and an ATI the same, that is, can I place the new graphics card in either of those slots?
I am really bamboozled with all of this but am hoping I can do it myself to save some bucks.
ScottGem
Feb 23, 2009, 06:36 PM
You probably have onboard video. In most cases inserting a new video card in the PCI-E or ATI slot will disable the onboard.
If it doesn't you have to check with Dell on how to disable it.
seahwk83
Feb 23, 2009, 07:08 PM
As mentioned above, inserting in the slot on the motherboard should disable the on-board card
Once in and connected, if it does not work, the on-board card more than likely would have to be disabled in the BIOS
Contacting DELL on this should not take more than an email as on-line chat for this would more than likely be fee based
Here is a link with DELL support, click on the link for
Email Technical Support
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/contact_technical_support?c=us&l=en&s=gen
And explain situation
Again, just inserting the card and then connecting monitor should disable the on-board card - use support if does not work
bk39
Feb 23, 2009, 08:42 PM
as mentioned above, inserting in the slot on the motherboard should disable the on-board card
Once in and connected, if it does not work, the on-board card more than likely would have to be disabled in the BIOS
Contacting DELL on this should not take more than an email as on-line chat for this would more than likely be fee based
Here is a link with DELL support, click on the link for
Email Technical Support
Dell Contact Technical Support (http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/contact_technical_support?c=us&l=en&s=gen)
and explain situation
Again, just inserting the card and then connecting monitor should disable the on-board card - use support if does not work
Jeeez, I hate to pay Dell for anything. When you say disabled in there BIOS, what does that mean?
I have asked Dell about this O/L e-mail but I expect them to come back and say that I will have to pay for info. I have not yet heard from them.
seahwk83
Feb 23, 2009, 09:29 PM
They will get back to you eventually, sometimes it took Acer 3 days to get back to me, I don't think DELL will take quite that long.
If this is your only computer that you have to get access to the net, I would wait for their reply as you would not want to end up with no PC
But as mentioned above, when inserting the new pci video card, it may override and disable the current video that you plug into
You can try that and go from there, if it would not work, put everything back the way it was before adding the card
bk39
Feb 24, 2009, 10:05 PM
they will get back to you eventually, sometimes it took Acer 3 days to get back to me, I don't think DELL will take quite that long.
if this is your only computer that you have to get access to the net, I would wait for their reply as you would not want to end up with no PC
But as mentioned above, when inserting the new pci video card, it may override and disable the current video that you plug into
You can try that and go from there, if it would not work, put everything back the way it was before adding the card
************************************************** ************************
THANKS to all that answered. After have been assured by several Dell support techs that I had the right graphics card for my Inspiron530s slim tower, one of their techs talked me through the installation and guess what, the card was an 1-1/2" too wide for the tower.
Unbelievable. Even argued with me that it was the right card and me telling him that it was too wide. Anyway, I have to send it back for credit. And, to top it all off they cannot tell me if there is a card for the 530s slim. Anyway, I now understand how to install a card and where, so if I ever find the right card, I can do it.
THANKS again.
bk39
Feb 24, 2009, 10:13 PM
Does anyone out there know where I can get or look for a graphics card 9500c 1g or better, 1gig, for a slim Inspiron 530s with Vista. Dell sent me the wrong card and were not able to tell me if there is one to fit that model.
seahwk83
Feb 24, 2009, 10:13 PM
Can always bring it in to a shop or some sort of service store to compare cards they may have in stock
ScottGem
Feb 25, 2009, 06:25 AM
I have seen some cards that have been advertised for the small towers. Check the sites for ATI and NVIDIA.
Andrew Carstens
Apr 20, 2009, 08:10 AM
If you have a graphics card in the computer you should remove the old one befrore installing the new one and uninstall the driver if how ever the slot is empty just goahed and stik the new graphic in and install the drivers. If you see that the computer goes off when playing a game you shoul check and see if you power supply is suffichent enouph to cope with the new graphic card. Its about 800watt. If you already had a car in that slot that you are replacing this should not be a problem