Graphics card install problem. And, questions!

paulthomasno6 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-04-2007, 12:03 PM

This was going to be the weekend I revved the imagery right up with my new graphics card and an extra 512mb of ram.

Well, at least the ram install was a success. I must have learnt something after all from my first venture into that field.

I think my error with the graphics card is with the bracket. It came with quite a large bracket attached, but there were two optional smaller brackets offered by the supplier. I had one of the guys at work fit one of the smaller brackets. Unfortunately the 'foot' of the bracket is blocked by the ram holders, so the teeth/keys/golden bits on the card don't insert properly into the holder. Still, I'm dubious about what supports the card in that upright state if the bracket's removed.

Now. Questions.
The card in its original state had three plug inlets. One was removed when the large bracket was removed. The second inlet is for a 4-pin plug, and there is a cable supplied with a suitable plug at one end and a fat central pin at the other. I think it's a DVI-TV connector. Should I install this, and if so, where do I stick the other end? Technical responses only, please!

Apart from the pin problem, I also notice that that the cooling fins bump up against a plastic shield or cover of some sort. Is that going to be a problem?

The first instruction in the manual is to remove the current graphics software. Since I'm not removing a graphics card to install this one, there won't be any software to remove, am I correct?

Lastly, how the hell do I get those bloody wires out of the way? There's a red and yellow wire going across the slot and they don't have much slack in them.

Kaistar · #2 (**permalink**) 06-04-2007, 12:44 PM

my current graphic card's pin is also slightly out, but it's working perfectly fine. you might want to remove your previous graphic card's drivers though. just to be on the safe side.

i'm not sure of the wires, maybe you can use some form of tape to stick them together so that they're neat?

as to your technical issue i'm not exactly sure what you're talking about, so i'm quite sorry. maybe you can link the graphics card you just bought?

paulthomasno6 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-04-2007, 02:26 PM

Quite right, I should have mentioned which card I was on about.

XFX AGPx8 6200 128MB DVI/VGA/TV LP 32bit, 350Mhz Clock Speed, 400Mhz 128MB DDR, 1 x S-Video Cables.

Sold as the XFX GEForce 6200.

Kaistar · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 01:51 PM

is it this

http://www.xfxforce.com/web/product/...urationId=1057

or

http://www.xfxforce.com/web/product/...urationId=1087

tell me if i'm wrong. lol. anyways, you have yet to plug your monitor into your graphics card? and i cant exactly find a clear picture of your graphics card so can't check your cooling pin issue. but i do think that it should be alright.

it doesnt use a fan right? and if it does, as long as the fan still works it should be ok anyways.

paulthomasno6 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 12:31 AM

It's this one here:
http://www.xfxforce.com/web/product/...ationId=661341
I haven't done any more with it yet, except remove the bracket. There is talk in the instructions about a screw but I'm damned if I can see what it connects to.
Thanks for your interest, K. I probably won't be doing anything on the job today, but I'll keep you up to date.

Dan Penny · #6 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 12:53 AM

Is this the card?: http://xfxforce.com/web/product/list...%20#openLarger

Specs in PDF format:
http://xfxforce.com/web/product/view...ationId=661341

And is this the bracket?:
http://www.xfxforce.com/web/viewFeat...atureId=551250

"Unfortunately the 'foot' of the bracket is blocked by the ram holders, so the teeth/keys/golden bits on the card don't insert properly into the holder. Still, I'm dubious about what supports the card in that upright state if the bracket's removed."

I would modify the "foot" as much as possible (while still retaining some "grab" at the bottom end tapered "key" if possible). The bracket should be in place to hold the card from any twist on the monitor connector from the monitor cable. Even if you had to saw off the tapered foot/key, at least there's some support from the top/sides.

The above may aid in the full insertion of the finger contacts into the slot as well. As long as the majority of the "finger" is in the slot, you should have adequate contact.

I would not however, use the card in the system if motherboard components are interferring with the video cards components. If it seats fairly well with the bracket modifications, and no components are "forcing" other components aside, it should be fine.

"... I also notice that that the cooling fins bump up against a plastic shield or cover of some sort. Is that going to be a problem?"

Do you mean the fins and plastic shield are both components on the card, or the plastic shield is elsewhere on another system component?

I have in the past come across a discussion in a help forum (concerning a video card) where removing a plastic guard/cover from the cooling fins themselves was the issue. My stand was that given no manufacturers info on the subject, it was the person holding the card who would have to decide if removal was necessary. (Manufacturers usually include notices/warnings to remove certain covers/packing guards etc before use.) The question/logic behind using plastic on a heat dissipative device came into play as well.

If one can be "gently" moved apart from the other without damage, then if you feel comfortable, do it. If there is no way, then leave it as it came from the manufacturer.

"The card in its original state had three plug inlets. One was removed when the large bracket was removed. The second inlet is for a 4-pin plug, and there is a cable supplied with a suitable plug at one end and a fat central pin at the other. I think it's a DVI-TV connector. Should I install this, and if so, where do I stick the other end?"

I'll state that this I'm unsure about.

"The first instruction in the manual is to remove the current graphics software. Since I'm not removing a graphics card to install this one, there won't be any software to remove, am I correct?"

As long as the video adapter currently in use doesn't use nvidia drivers:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/driver_...ion_hints.html

"Lastly, how the hell do I get those bloody wires out of the way? There's a red and yellow wire going across the slot and they don't have much slack in them."

Across the AGP slot? If these are "bundled" wires, cutting a cable tie or two may provide some slack.

paulthomasno6 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 01:34 AM

Thanks, Dan. Regarding those links you've posted, the link I added to my last post, just above yours, shows the card I've got. And your third link shows the bracket fitted to the card originally at top. I bought the optional brackets, and the one I fitted is in the lower right of the picture.
You're suggesting that I remove the tapered end - it may well come to that. But I'm still not sure about the screw. The other end is obviously shaped to hold a screw, but I couldn't see what the screw would go into inside the comp.
Cooling fins - the plastic shield is a part of the computer. It doesn't show on the motherboard diagram in the manual, but it's a square tube more or less. One end is glued to a box on the right hand wall. It turns at right angles to end against the rear wall.
Regarding your last two comments - the current graphics driver is an Intel 82865G graphics controller, and you're probably right about cutting the cable tie.
Can't say or do much more without opening the machine up. I'll keep you informed. Thanks again.

Dan Penny · #8 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 02:45 AM

I guess I was still typing when you entered your last post. We have the same card link in our posts. ;>) You provided enough info in your #3 posting to easily find it.

The screw holds the card bracket tight to the computer frame. This was prevalent in older computers. Many today have a "rail" which clips down over all the various ancillary card brackets that may be present, holding the card(s) down into the slot(s).

paulthomasno6 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 03:12 AM

Aha! Well, I'm thinking that I might stick with the idea of omitting the bracket altogether. I keep the machine flat on the desk rather than tower it so the card should be reasonably secure.

paulthomasno6 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 04:05 AM

Nope. It's a no-go.
Even with the bracket removed, the protruding plug inlet is an obstruction. It gets stuck on or in between components on the motherboard one way, and the rear of the housing is too close to permit a fit the other way. Actually, this - with the plugs to the rear - is probably the way the card is meant to go in, since this faces the cooling fins out into free space, and the hook on the graphics card has a small bump to grab onto.
I'm inclined to say that I've got the wrong card and should exchange it, but the pictures of the cards that Jephree posted at Graphics card for Celestia look so close to the one I've got as to be identical. I think the problem will be the same with any of them!
He's got another link there which deals specifically with upgrades for my machine. I'm going to check the parts numbers listed there and see what comes forth.
Wish me luck! As that feller said to his friends at the South Pole, I could be gone for quite some time.