Weird new graphics card issue...

[vi5]

So I installed an AGP graphics card this weekend. It seems to work fine. The visuals are great and for the most part i've noticed an uptick in speed on my computer as a result of less processor drain. And when I go into System: Hardware: Device Manager: Display Adaptors, it lists NVIDIA Geforce FX 5500.

The only weird thing is when I start or re-boot my computer, it takes longer. It goes to the Microsoft screen and shows that o.k. But then it goes to black screen and stays there for a very long period of time before it switches to the blue Welcome screen. During this time the monitor button still is green so it's getting a signal. But did I neglect to disable something?

In BIOS it gives me the option of Auto or AGP and I choose AGP and when I do that it takes less time. But the next time I boot up....it happens again unless I go into BIOS.

Any advice from my DU tech gurus who've been a big help so far? My computer is only a year old, and I have a full gig of RAM.

[Guy Fawkes]

1. you say it happens again...

unless you go into BIOS. Does it return to 'auto' each time you reboot?

[vi5]

2. Yes, it seems to....

Does that mean anything to you?

[democracyindanger]

3. Are you sure you're 'SAVE AND EXIT'ing from BIOS

and not just exiting?

[Spider Jerusalem]

4. You disabled onboard video, right?

And went into BIOS and adjusted the AGP settings to 8X, and set video memory to about 2x the card's physical memory? If not, try that...it may help. Also make sure you have the latest drivers installed. If not, here's where to get them: http://download.nvidia.com/Windows/66.93/66.93_win2kxp_english.exe

[vi5]

5. Where are the AGP settings?

All I see is something for selecting Auto or AGP and then something for Onboard Video Buffer which can either be 1MB or 8MB. I have that set to 8.

Where do I set the video memory?

It's definitely reading the card so I don't think it's a driver issue.

[Guy Fawkes]

6. Video card performance can be

helped greatly by updating your drivers periodically.

[Spider Jerusalem]

7. Set it to AGP...

and you don't NEED the onboard video buffer; there SHOULD be advanced settings including "AGP Aperture Size", which you want to set to twice the RAM on the video card. If it's not in basic BIOS options check "advanced chipset features". And make sure to save any changes to your BIOS settings before you exit.

[vi5]

8. I didn't see any advanced settings....

I could set the AGP level but only to 256 which was the max. And I believe the card is a 256.

[Spider Jerusalem]

9. That should be fine, then...

hopefully those tweaks and new drivers will resolve your problem...

[Briarius]

10. You might also look for a Bios update

not a necessity, but it may help things if the simpler things don't get it straightened out. The motherboard manufacturer's website should have them.