Should I Do it Myself?

Willard · 06-19-2005, 02:15 PM

Hey, I know I haven't been on this board for ages but I've got something really bugging me....

My computer just recently crashed, and I bought a new one and installed Windows XP on it. Unfortunately, my new computer has a very low-quality video card (8 MB) and I'm thinking about taking the card out of my old comp (I believe it's a GeForce 2 ?, 30-something MB) and putting it into my new one. Could I do the job myself, or should I hire a technician? I'm kinda short on money right now so I don't think buying a high-quality new card is an option.

philip · 06-19-2005, 02:26 PM

I never changed video cards myself but it shouldn't be that hard. Just open your case and remove it and put it back in the other. There's only one slot that will fit so no trouble there either. Just make sure you're grounded and that all static is gone before you start doing it. From my own experience and someone else who does a lot of stuff inside his case computers can take some but it's better to prevent it from happening.

VulcanRider · 06-19-2005, 02:26 PM

Go ahead. Make sure you have the driver for your card available, in case XP doesn't recognize it, though it probably will.

Willard · 06-19-2005, 02:31 PM

How do I know which driver to download from NVIDIA? Since it is an older card, would a new version of driver work?

Aragorn1 · 06-19-2005, 02:31 PM

DO you know how diappointed i am?

I thought this was going to be about some kind of crazy operation or at the very least something dangerous.

Firestormalpha · 06-19-2005, 03:13 PM

Easy as pie. Just make sure your grounded before diving in. You don't even have to feel the static shock for it to fry your computer. This would be especially important in dry arid places, which are conducive to static build up. All in all it's not a difficult task. As for the drivers you have two options either the disc that came with the card, or the cards website would have them.

Ivelliis · 06-19-2005, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aragorn1:
DO you know how diappointed i am?

I thought this was going to be about some kind of crazy operation or at the very least something dangerous.

I was thinking the same thing, very disappointing. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Vaskez · 06-19-2005, 03:43 PM

Yeah as firestorm says this should be no problem to do yourself. The technician would be laughing if he got paid to do something as easy as this

Hivetyrant · 06-19-2005, 04:57 PM

And if it's a Geforce 2 may I suggest trying both Nvidia's divers and XP's drivers to see which ones you prefer, believe it or not, when I was using a Geforce 2 (ages ago) I was able to play Vice city on my Pc untill I installed the official drivers then it became so slow it was unplayable.

So try both and if you like one, use it

Oh and it is exremely easy to install a video card, just pull it out and plug it in

Q'alooaith · 06-19-2005, 08:10 PM

I think you all are missing a rather vital step.

Turn both computers off before you start, and flick the switch on the back of the case as well, should be near the plug on the case, once that's off your pretty safe sticking your hands in, if you remember to touch a metal part of the case first to discarge any static you've built up.

Don't put the card down on your bed/sofa/ect you want idealy to do this work in a well lit area on a hard, clean surface.

Whatever you do, don't panic.

06-19-2005, 02:15 PM	#1
Willard Fzoul Chembryl Join Date: June 14, 2001 Location: Vermont Age: 32 Posts: 1,752	Hey, I know I haven't been on this board for ages but I've got something really bugging me.... My computer just recently crashed, and I bought a new one and installed Windows XP on it. Unfortunately, my new computer has a very low-quality video card (8 MB) and I'm thinking about taking the card out of my old comp (I believe it's a GeForce 2 ?, 30-something MB) and putting it into my new one. Could I do the job myself, or should I hire a technician? I'm kinda short on money right now so I don't think buying a high-quality new card is an option. __________________

06-19-2005, 02:26 PM	#3
VulcanRider Lord Soth Join Date: July 25, 2002 Location: Melbourne FL Age: 59 Posts: 1,971	Go ahead. Make sure you have the driver for your card available, in case XP doesn't recognize it, though it probably will. __________________ ----- Help feed animals in shelters with just a mouse click at The Animal Rescue Site !!

06-19-2005, 02:31 PM	#4
Willard Fzoul Chembryl Join Date: June 14, 2001 Location: Vermont Age: 32 Posts: 1,752	How do I know which driver to download from NVIDIA? Since it is an older card, would a new version of driver work? __________________

06-19-2005, 03:13 PM	#6
Firestormalpha Knight of the Rose Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Coral Springs, Fl USA Age: 40 Posts: 4,454	Easy as pie. Just make sure your grounded before diving in. You don't even have to feel the static shock for it to fry your computer. This would be especially important in dry arid places, which are conducive to static build up. All in all it's not a difficult task. As for the drivers you have two options either the disc that came with the card, or the cards website would have them. __________________ "When you start with a presupposition, it's hard to arrive at any other conclusion." "We are never to judge a philosophy by its abuse." - Augustine "If you're wondering if God has a sense of humor, consider the platypus." http://www.greaterthings.cbglades.com

06-19-2005, 03:43 PM	#8
Vaskez Takhisis Follower Join Date: April 30, 2001 Location: szép Magyarország (well not right now) Posts: 5,089	Yeah as firestorm says this should be no problem to do yourself. The technician would be laughing if he got paid to do something as easy as this __________________ Too set in his ways to ever relate If he could set that aside, there'd be heaven to pay But weathered and aged, time swept him to grave Love conquers all? Damn, I'd say that area's gray

06-19-2005, 02:26 PM	#2
philip Galvatron Join Date: June 24, 2002 Location: aa Posts: 2,101	I never changed video cards myself but it shouldn't be that hard. Just open your case and remove it and put it back in the other. There's only one slot that will fit so no trouble there either. Just make sure you're grounded and that all static is gone before you start doing it. From my own experience and someone else who does a lot of stuff inside his case computers can take some but it's better to prevent it from happening.

06-19-2005, 02:31 PM	#5
Aragorn1 Symbol of Cyric Join Date: July 3, 2001 Location: Cornwall England Age: 36 Posts: 1,197	DO you know how diappointed i am? I thought this was going to be about some kind of crazy operation or at the very least something dangerous.

06-19-2005, 04:57 PM	#9
Hivetyrant Jack Burton Join Date: August 24, 2002 Location: Aussie now in the US of A! Age: 37 Posts: 5,403	And if it's a Geforce 2 may I suggest trying both Nvidia's divers and XP's drivers to see which ones you prefer, believe it or not, when I was using a Geforce 2 (ages ago) I was able to play Vice city on my Pc untill I installed the official drivers then it became so slow it was unplayable. So try both and if you like one, use it Oh and it is exremely easy to install a video card, just pull it out and plug it in

06-19-2005, 08:10 PM	#10
Q'alooaith Emerald Dragon Join Date: December 10, 2003 Location: UK Age: 40 Posts: 961	I think you all are missing a rather vital step. Turn both computers off before you start, and flick the switch on the back of the case as well, should be near the plug on the case, once that's off your pretty safe sticking your hands in, if you remember to touch a metal part of the case first to discarge any static you've built up. Don't put the card down on your bed/sofa/ect you want idealy to do this work in a well lit area on a hard, clean surface. Whatever you do, don't panic. __________________ -Jenn

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