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Help with installing RAM and Video Card

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by david10002, 2006/05/24.

  1. 2006/05/24
    david10002

    david10002 Inactive Thread Starter

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    I am new to this, so please be gentle and do not assume I know anything about computers: #1, I bought new RAM and indtall it. How do I know that it was installed properly?

    #2. I bought a new video card. Inserted the card and driver however when I plug in my monitor to the card it doesn't work. The old video card still works. I can't remove the old card as it looks as if it is connected/hardwired to the motherboard.

    #3. How do I know what is the brand of my computer? If I knew this I may be able to visit their site to ask questions.

    Thank you for your prompt responses: Just one concern; If I turn off the on-board video card and the new card I installed is not recognized, I won't be able to see anything on my screen and therefore can't switch the on-board back on. dp
     
    Last edited: 2006/05/25
    david10002,
    #1
  2. 2006/05/24
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    1. On your desktop screen is an icon called My Computer. Use the right mouse button and click that icon and a menu will popup. At the bottom of that popup menu click on Properties with the left mouse buytton. A window will appear and near the bottom right it will tell you how much ram is installed.

    2. This will require that you access the computer BIOS (Basic Input Output System) during a reboot of the computer. This is usually done by pressing the Delete key or the F1 key when turning the comp on. Some comps use different keys & you should know what yours is in order to do this. Sometimes when starting the comp the scren will say something like "press f1 to enter Setup ", which is what you need to do. In the BIOS setup there will be a setting to turn OFF "onboard video" and to use the type that you installed, either AGP, PCI or PCIe.

    3. If there is no sticker or name on the case then you have a generic brand or a comp that was built by a shop. To find out what components are in your comp download and run this free program called SIW:
    http://www3.sympatico.ca/gtopala/about_siw.html
     
    TonyT,
    #2


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  4. 2006/05/25
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    Physically, the clips should seat all the way. You need press evenly on both sides (actually, I have found you need to push a little on one side then the other, to "wiggle" it all the way home) until the clips are fully seated into the lugs
    ... "wiggle it all the way home" sounds like a bedtime story :D but that's how it's done.
    Same goes for other add-in cards like graphics or PCI cards. Check they are fully seated.
    As Tony T said, you should check that Windows can "see" the new increase in RAM (generally, if there is some sort of a conflict, the computer will not boot).

    If the computer starts up as easily as it did previously (or better) the new RAM is running well.

    #2 or #3, I'll recheck tomorrow :)

    Matt
     
    Last edited: 2006/05/25
    mattman,
    #3
  5. 2006/05/26
    Luckyjfl

    Luckyjfl Inactive

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    New Ram and Graphics card

    Hi David,
    Just a thought , it would have helped a little had you actually mentioned what the name of your Graphics card was.. The graphics card I use, is a AGP slot. I had to connect one of the cables from the PSU to the Graphics card. Otherwise it would not have worked. Its just an idea Mate, but I am not sure if your Graphics card has the same feature.
     
    Luckyjfl,
    #4

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