Help installing graphics card

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Help installing graphics card

No1Daemon

172 posts

Master Geek

#20730 4-Apr-2008 09:50

Hi

Is anyone able ti help me in installing an 8600gt into my htpc?
I have an asus m2a-vm motherboard. I uninstalled the x1250 onboard graphics driver but my only source of video out was the svideo on the hdmi daughterboard that comes with the motherboard and I have to uninstall it to install the new card.
Not really too sure how to install it blind!
I have a vga to component breakout cable I thought I could use but I wetn into the bios and changed primary display to onchip vga but still cant get any output from it.

Im stumped.
Any help would be great.
The drivers for the card wont let them be installed unless the hardware is present so I cant install the drivers and then the card.

pando

235 posts

Master Geek

#121000 4-Apr-2008 09:56

Running windows with a monitor? If so, ensure the bios is set to not use the onboard gfx. Stick the 8600 into the PCIe slot, connect the monitor to the 8600 (dvi or d-sub) and start up, windows will run in a low res and ask to install drivers for it.

After the drivers are installed you should then be able to run the component output.

No1Daemon

172 posts

Master Geek

#121005 4-Apr-2008 10:10

I haven't got a monitor. I am using an lcd tv via a home theatre av receiver.
It is simple to switch in it from video to input3 which is where my component plugs are.
How do I disable onboard graphics?
Also how do i unplug my svideo connection, install card and plug in my component connection which is my only option and still watch it in low res to install drivers?

I bought a vga to vga cable so hopefully that will solve the problem.

pando

235 posts

Master Geek

#121065 4-Apr-2008 13:58

Hard to explain as i've done this many times but explaining to someone who's not done it is tricky.

Leave your onboard connection to the tv/receiver as it's still working, this is a good thing. I'm assuming you don't already have an extension PCIe card installed, if you do, you'll need to unplug this one first.

To install the 8600 card it's best to follow install instructions if available otherwise:
Open the case and insert the 8600gt card into the spare PCIe on the m/b (assuming above note - if there' 2 slots use the one closest to the power supply if that helps, could be marked PCIe0). You may have to remove a piece of metal at the back of your pc case first. You may also be required to plug an additional 6 pin power cable from the power supply to a socket on the end of the card, you must do this if required.! Close the case.

Assuming your tv has the vga (15pin d-sub) connection connect your 8600 using the dvi->vga adapter to the tv's vga input. You can also connect the component cable to the receiver if you like but the vga connection should have precedence until you setup OS software.

If you didn't have to uninstall a card that was installed then when you first turn on the pc it'll most likely still run off the original video connection you were using so go into the bios and change the initial display to the PCIe option - not onboard. If you did have to unplug a card that was already there then you shouldn't have to change bios settings.

When you load up windows it should be in 640x480 mode and asking for drivers so follow on screen instructions

After you install drivers you can then fiddle with how you want to use your connections, 1 display, 2 displays etc.

Hope that helps.

No1Daemon

172 posts

Master Geek

#121067 4-Apr-2008 14:05

Thanks
That does all make sense, however the issue IS that I have to uninstall the working connection to install the new connection and there is only 1 pci-e slot in the case.
So unfortunately I cannot keep one while connecting the other.
I have purchased a vga to vga male cable which will arrive in a day or 2 and I will try again using the vga on the motherboard to the tv before uninstalling the current card.
When I have a connection vga to vga I will be able to install the new card no problems at all.

Thanks anyway for the help.
Steve

pando

235 posts

Master Geek

#121112 4-Apr-2008 16:09

I've never had a problem uninstalling drivers for an installed card then switching off the pc, taking said card out and putting a new card in and restarting. IMO this is perfectly safe, remember, the drivers are only for windows so you'll still get all the start up screen buff when you put the new card in.

No1Daemon

172 posts

Master Geek

#121268 5-Apr-2008 11:14

Hi again

Well I may be the first person you have met who has has trouble doing exactly that.
I uninstalled the x1250 driver, turned off the pc and inserted the new card. Plugged in the svideo cable, restarted the pc and got a black screen.
So I am going to have to give up and wait for my vga cable to arrive. I would have thought the default low res vga graphics would have still allowed me to see the screen to install the new graphics drivers but obviously not.

Vorbis

176 posts

Master Geek

#121289 5-Apr-2008 13:17

Hmm, thats a fiddly one! Your TV probably doesn't support the low resolution, so wont output the display. Did you try just installing the new card, (with the x1250 drivers installed) leaving your onboard graphics enabled (with the s-vid cable) boot up, install the nvidia drivers for the new card, and on reboot go into bios, disable the onboard graphics and see if she'll boot?