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Re: Graphics card upgrade 2900XT fails to install (1621 Views)
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Honor Student
Mikempl
Posts: 5
Registered: ‎05-20-2009
Message 1 of 3 (1,654 Views)

Graphics card upgrade 2900XT fails to install

Does Compaq/HP prevent installing video cards other that what comes installed from the factory?

 

 

 

   Hopefully someone here has seen this and knows what is wrong. 

 

 

I have an ATI 3540 installed by Compaq in my Compaq Presario SR5860AN Desktop PC Uninstalled the ATI driver for the 3450 and installed a Sapphire HD 2900XT into the PCI-E slot.  

 

 

I upgraded the power supply to a Corsair VX550 - the 300W that comes installed wont power it. 

 

The computer booted up, and I installed the ATI driver. After restarting it tries to boot 3 times and fails offering windows repair. 

 

 

Booting in safe mode allows the driver to be removed, and try an older, generic, windows, or manufactures’' driver - all fail and show the same problem. Tried HD2900XT on another PC, an Intel Core Duo and it works fine. So the card works.

 

 

 I'm stuck now, and am wondering if there is a bios lockout for cards other than the ATI 3450 that came with it. The bios doesn’t let you near the video config - the onboard video has blanking plugs on the I/O ports.  

 

 

 

Any insight would be great, I really hope I'm not stuck with a PC that cant be upgraded.

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Regents Professor
old_geekster
Posts: 6,207
Registered: ‎11-21-2008
Message 2 of 3 (1,625 Views)

Re: Graphics card upgrade 2900XT fails to install

Mike, no, there are BIOS settings to prevent you from installing any video card that you desire.  I would try using "Driver Sweeper" to remove all of the old drivers.  You do this by booting into "Safe" mode and running DS.  Here is a link:

 

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Secure-cleaning/Driver-Sweeper.shtml

 

Once you are certain that all of the old drivers are removed, reboot and install the latest ATI drivers.  Also, assure that the card is seated into the slot fully.

++++++++++++++++++
**Click the KUDOS star on the left to say 'Thanks'**

Intelligence is God given; Wisdom is the sum of our mistakes!
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Honor Student
Mikempl
Posts: 5
Registered: ‎05-20-2009
Message 3 of 3 (1,621 Views)

Re: Graphics card upgrade 2900XT fails to install

SOLVED  

 

 

After trying so many different drivers, C++ versions, DirectX, driver cleaners, and even different power supplies,

 

 

I had an epiphany and unplugged the monitor (ViewSonic 22in) It booted. 

 

 

 Plugged in an older BenQ 19in Monitor installed the 2900XT, all CCC components, and run 3DMark. All worked fine.  

 

 

FFS ! 

 

 

Shut off computer, reconnected ViewSonic 22in and it FAILS to boot.  

I tried setting the "lower DVI frequency" in the CCC by the way but no change, even installed ViewSonic drivers from their website.  

 

 

 

 

The new monitor is less than 2 weeks old so I'll take it back to the shop.   

 

 

 

 

 

Hopefully someone can learn from my battle with this problem, I've seen a lot of references to the same problem.

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