Sometimes all you need is a new driver to fix your gaming card
Installing a gaming card on your computer can considerably improve your PC's graphics. However, just as with any new hardware installation, things can go wrong. Even if you follow the installation manual exactly, some issues may not be addressed, rendering your video card essentially unusable until you can locate and fix the problem.
To get your gaming graphics card to work, it is necessary to troubleshoot your computer and locate the source of the problem. Often, problems in hardware installation are related either to the device driver or to certain BIOS settings.
Instructions
1. Confirm the gaming card's driver is installed. Click "Start," then "Control Panel." If you have Windows Vista (with the Control Panel in Classic View) or 7, double-click "Device Manager." If you have Vista with the Control Panel in Standard View, click "System and Maintenance" and then "Device Manager." If you have XP, double-click "System." Click the "Hardware" tab, then click "Device Manager."
2. Click the plus sign next to "Display Adapters." If the video card does not appear, go to the manufacturer's website and download the driver. Install the driver to your computer, following the on-screen instructions.
3. If the driver does appear under "Display Adapters," right-click it and then click "Update Driver Software." Click "Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software." If a new driver is found, follow the Windows update wizard to properly install it.
4. Make sure integrated graphics are not interfering with the new graphics card. Right-click the name of the integrated graphics chip (if you have one) under "Display Adapters," then click "Disable." Click "Yes" when the warning box appears. If you are not sure whether or not you have an integrated graphics chip, check your computer's manual or contact your computer's manufacturer.
5. Check your BIOS settings. Restart your computer and access your BIOS setup utility. The way to access your BIOS will vary depending on your motherboard's manufacturer.
6. Confirm "Plug and Play" is set to "Yes" and both "Internal Graphic Mode Select" and "Onboard Graphics Display" are set to "Enabled." Also confirm that the AGP and PCI slots are enabled as well. BIOS utilities vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so you may not see all of these options available.
Tags: your computer, Control Panel, Device Manager, Display Adapters, integrated graphics, then click, your BIOS