Bethesda doing it again on Nov.11th?

[Firestormalpha]

I have an HP Pavilion a6010n
Windows Vista Home OS 32-bit fully updated.
Basically a stock, off the the shelf computer from about 3-4 years ago, maybe 5.
Dual 1.8 GHz processors
1 Gig RAM

Other than the innability to run Oblivion, no issues with the integrated video.

So the instructions to disable integrated drivers is just to avoid any potential conflict, not so much that there definately would be otherwise.

I had been experiencing some flickering/z-fighting in Morrowind, but that seemed to fix itself when i adjusted the gamma correction up a little.

[SpiritWarrior]

Yeah the main reason people cite to make sure intergrated is disabled is mainly to assist in the process of elimination. Because sometimes people buy a new vidcard, install it, and then wonder why it's performing horribly. In truth, their system is not running off their new card yet, and is still on the onboard graphics. But, like I said, if you are nervous you can leave it enabled and check what your system is using via the desktop.

Personally, given your model, I would take the precaution and leave it enabled then slot the PCI in. The Pavillions are a picky set of rigs. I wouldn't be surprised if that card works on other systems but just not your HP. I wouldn't count that card out until you test it on another computer at some point.

[Firestormalpha]

I'll keep that in mind. In the meantime, I won't be installing anything until I do some cleaning. Just peaked inside the case today and there's a carpet on the bottom and feathers in the fans. (figuratively, of course) I don't have any spray cans on hand at the moment, but I do have an air mattress pump, not sure how much force I could get off that though, even if I treat it like getting extra pressure from a water hose.

[SpiritWarrior]

Originally Posted by Firestormalpha I'll keep that in mind. In the meantime, I won't be installing anything until I do some cleaning. Just peaked inside the case today and there's a carpet on the bottom and feathers in the fans. (figuratively, of course) I don't have any spray cans on hand at the moment, but I do have an air mattress pump, not sure how much force I could get off that though, even if I treat it like getting extra pressure from a water hose.

Use an air can with a straw from the store. They're like $5 or something. Use the straw to tilt the air flow as opposed to tilting the can which can result in water. Make sure to clean in the video card slot, as this could even be your issue in itself (dust blocking the mobo from detecting it).

[Firestormalpha]

Tons of dust, it's almost like the heatsinks were designed more for collecting dust than keeping the processors cool.

Now, just for some more clarification. When I restart the computer I get three options, Esc for Boot Menu: covers the drive you boot from and CD drive. F10 for Setup: covers everything else and what the Boot menu covers. and F11 for system recovery: obviously not what we're looking for at this point.

Setup seems to have what I need. Under advanced it has Default GPU or something to that effect. Currently it's set to PCI (not sure why), but the other two options are PCI-E and Onboard. I'm guessing, and would like confirmation either for or against, that I want to set it to PCI-E?

[SpiritWarrior]

Originally Posted by Firestormalpha Tons of dust, it's almost like the heatsinks were designed more for collecting dust than keeping the processors cool. Now, just for some more clarification. When I restart the computer I get three options, Esc for Boot Menu: covers the drive you boot from and CD drive. F10 for Setup: covers everything else and what the Boot menu covers. and F11 for system recovery: obviously not what we're looking for at this point. Setup seems to have what I need. Under advanced it has Default GPU or something to that effect. Currently it's set to PCI (not sure why), but the other two options are PCI-E and Onboard. I'm guessing, and would like confirmation either for or against, that I want to set it to PCI-E?

Set it onboard first and see if anything changes. If all is the same, set it to PCIE and try your card in the appropriate slot.

[Firestormalpha]

Ok, so the only thing I got was a black screen with a little flashing 'underscore' mark in the top left of the screen. I'm gonna go with, it's dead. I've reached that conclusion based on the fact that it ran fine several years ago, and then suddenly decided it wouldn't work anymore one day. So I don't think it's a compatibility issue. I think it's just dead.

On the bright side, when I pulled the card and plugged the monitor into the motherboard, everything started up just find. Switched the primary video adaptor to onboard just to be thorough. It was fun to try though.

[SpiritWarrior]

Originally Posted by Firestormalpha Ok, so the only thing I got was a black screen with a little flashing 'underscore' mark in the top left of the screen. I'm gonna go with, it's dead. I've reached that conclusion based on the fact that it ran fine several years ago, and then suddenly decided it wouldn't work anymore one day. So I don't think it's a compatibility issue. I think it's just dead. On the bright side, when I pulled the card and plugged the monitor into the motherboard, everything started up just find. Switched the primary video adaptor to onboard just to be thorough. It was fun to try though.

The GS's had a habit of breaking early iirc. Well, at least you know now.

[Sparhawk]

Hmmmm are you supposed to close all the oblivion gates around the game?

[Firestormalpha]

I think the core goal is to advance the storyline and fulfill prophecy or something like that. I've picked up bits and pieces of the storyline further along than I've ever gone before, but I don't know how much of a spoiler you're looking for. Or for that matter, how accurate my info actually is.

So spoiler-free, check your journal and see what the main quest entry tells you to do. Or run around explore ruins, do odd-jobs and close infinite Oblivion gates.