How to identify an AGP Video Card??

In doing a reinstall of Windows XP home, during loading of the OS, Windows asked for the AGP Video drivers. I tried a couple of Video Card installation CD's, but Windows couldn't find the drivers it wanted. I cancelled the window with the driver request and the installation went forward to completion. The card has not been changed, it is the same card that was in the machine prior to the repair install.

Now, in Device Manager, there is no display adapter to update drivers. Also, in display settings, Advanced, Adapter, says unknown.

I pulled the video card from the machine, and not a clue as to who made it.

Well, maybe a clue, it has two paper stickers on it, one has Two Chinese symbols on it and then the follwing number: 3892D180

The other paper sticker has a bar code, and under the bar code the following numbers: 35300104006700.

As I have had several different adapters through 3 machines, I have not been able to match an installation CD to this card.

When windows asked for drivers, it appeard to want Nvidia.
I downloaded and installed the universal NVidia drivers, although they installed w/o a hitch, still no recognition in device manager or settings available.

When rebooting, the first DOS screen to light up says: GEForce 2x MX VGA Bios. I figured this is the MOBO fall back???

Before I start trying to find the GEForce site and download the wrong drivers, I was wondering if there is some way to identify this card.

Anybody know a way? I have faith in this board solving the problem.

All help accepted and appreciated.

Martin

 

Man, I just can't figure this one out.

Pete, I had Aida, just hadn't used it, thought if Windows didn't see the card, Aida wouldn't either. But it did.

It reports it as nVida GeForce 2 MMX MMX 400 AGP adapter at bus 0 function 0

I looked at a backup image I had of that machine, it had the nVida drivers previously.

The problem is this. The adapter does not show up in device manager and I have no settings in Display Properties. The video seems to work allright in Media Player, but when you drag a window, it is best described as shimmering hiccups.

When I try to install using add hardware, the only hardware under display adapter manufacturers is ATI with a list of ATI adapters to choose from. There has never been an ATI adapter in this machine.

I have installed and re-installed the nVida drivers, still no display adapter in Device Manager. And the drivers were specific for this adapter. Also installed the All in one adapters. No Joy.

I tried Pine Video and PNY's Verto CD's, neither seem to be the
correct install programs.

If I'm going to need the Mfg's disk, I guess I'll have to buy a new adapter.

Tell me it isn't so!

 

Hey Pete: When I read your last post, I thought AHA! but, no,
BIOS is set for AGP 1st.

There may be other BIOS settings that could cause the AGP card to not be recognized, but I don't know what they might be.

I set BIOS for optimized defaults, no help, I'm going to try sfc, but it that doesn't work, I wouldn't know what else to try, Don't know if new AGP card would be recognized. Wish I had a spare laying around.

Anybody else out there have an idea??? Any and all help would be appreciated.

Martin

 

martinr121,
See if this'll be any help.

http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=161

 

Martin:

You are making much ado about nothing if this is an XP machine. You really didn't even have to worry about the drivers, but could have used the Windows Update site to get the right video drivers installed almost automatically. That still may work. Now another question. Motherboard chipset is what? Make sure you install any and all motherboard drivers, especially if its Via. Maybe thats misleading, make sure you install motherboard drivers, regardless of the chipset - this can certainly impact your display adapter. If you've got bunch of ATI stuff on there and you have an Nvidia card - well, lose the ATI stuff. And, use something like RegCleaner to pull out the reamining erroneos registry entries. Now, if push really comes to shove, that video card will have a coded FCC number (usually 10 digits, I think) on it that can be used to identify the mfg and model #.

 

irdreed: Thanks for the link, it has been ensconsed in my favorites for future use, looks like it will come in handy. I have the problem solved, will explain.

Rockster, good old faithful Rockster comes through with the solution, albiet about 2 hours late.

Let me explain please.

I finally went into the event viewer, service control manager & found one of those red, your machine ******* up marks. & guess what it said. "viaagp driver(s) failed to load "

So, guess what I was thinking at the time? What is this stupid machine talking about, the agp vidieo card is from nvidia, not via. Then the light dawned.

MOBO via chip!! Duh!!

I loaded the via 4 in one, rebooted, and guess what? Machine says to me: "found new hardware" "Nvidia video adapter 400 MX MX" and then: "your new hardware is installed and ready to use "


I spent the last hour configuring it and all it has anything to do with which is why I'm just reading this post. Rockster, you are a genius.

But I disagree with your statement that I was making much ado about nothing, to me it was a big deal. Maybe nothing to you though, 'cause you are so smart.

Once again this board came through.

It is the greatest. Now, if that kid downloads anything but a picture of the flag or the president, he better start looking for a new home.

Thanks again,

Martin

 

Martin:

Certainly wasn't trying to sound "snooty" re: "much ado about nothing ". Just trying to calm you down and lighten the concern factor. And, by that I didn't mean to minimize the importance of getting that video card set up correctly - thats the kind of stuff that drives me crazy too! I'll spend 4-5 hours redoing things if I've got a single error that I can't resolve or fix - can't stand having something wrong and knowing about it.

Smart ? - I wish. Just your average, everyday, normal dummy. Thanks for your confidence, but .........

Now, as to Junior - Good Luck, but mark my words - its going to happen again. Its kind of a dilemma because you don't want to stifle his interest or curiousity either. About the only thing you can do is to make a good image of that system when its clean and be ready to restore it whenever the inevitable occurs. (Hehehe - we both know that already though, don't we?)

Glad to hear you got it Dad!

 

Martin:
Glad to see you got it figured out.