Video Card Question

[brentjroberts]

I just installed a ATI Rage 128 Pro video card into an older pc running xp pro. I got it installed and running but when I boot up there is no display until after the windows splash screen. The first thing that I can see is the "Loading Personal Settings" page. after it boots there are no problems. I just couldn't figure out why it does not display until then. When I was installing it I noticed that I could not see the bios or safe mode screen when trying to enter them. but as long as I wait, the loading personal settings page finally displays and continues normally. Basically the monitor light stays yellow until then and the turns green at the settings screen. I don't think it is anything major but it is annoying me as to why it is doing it and if it could cause any problems. Thanks for any help or advice.

[Rick]

The reason is the video card isn't being seen by the bios at first as a vga card

In your bios you should find and disable any on board video
Then find and set the bios to the setting that best matches your card

To get to your bios
Start the system.
Then have it restart
Watch the screen and when it begins the reboot.(after exiting windows BUT before it begins to reload )
Tap the key needed to enter the bios ( del,f2 or what ever is required for your system)

[brentjroberts]

I disabled the onboard graphics in bios and set it on PCI. the only problem is I can't get into bios now with the new card. The screen will not display until the Loading personal settings screen. when I try to enter bios or hit f8 to run in safe mode it just sets there. I think it may be going into bios setup and safe mode options screen but I can not see it. I disabled the onboard before I installed the new card and set it to PCI. but now I can't even see the bios screen. do you have any other ideas what it could be?

[Rick]

Is the ATI Rage 128 Pro video card a PCI or AGP card?

That may be the problem.
If set to PCI and Not AGP or auto
it is looking for the PCI and can't find it

Another option would be to connect a monitor to your onboard video and see if it is displaying the bios setup.
If it is just use it to set the bios to AGP unless that ATI Rage 128 Pro video card is in fact a PCI card

[saphalline]

Reset the CMOS and start over. Older systems do not have fully dynamic detection routines like modern systems. You need to make sure the ESCD is updated for the installed hardware or you'll end up with a problem like you are experiencing.

Unplug the system from the wall outlet, plug the monitor into the onboard VGA connector, reset the CMOS, and start over. Once the default graphical output is set back to the PCI master by default, the BIOS will detect a proper graphics adapter again. Then you won't have to wait for the OS to load to see anything.

[brentjroberts]

saphalline, could you explain to me how to reset the CMOS? I'm not sure what you mean. Thanks.

[saphalline]

Some older mobo's have a button for that, but most have a jumper. Without more info, I couldn't say which is the case for your system. However, there is another sure-fire way...

Unplug the system and open it up. Find the CR2032 button cell battery. Take it out and wait about 10 minutes or so. At this point, the CMOS should be empty! :D Put the battery back in and resume setting the BIOS.