Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of mjburgard
mjburgardFlag for United States of America

asked on

Graphics card works but isn't detected

I just purchased a new graphics card (Asus Nvidia en210) for a Dell Optiplex 320 Minitower so I could use two monitors on it.  The card is the correct slot (PCI-E) and has the correct form factor for the minitower.  When I start the computer with it in and the monitor plugged in to it the computer works, I get visuals and everything.

The problem is that the computer doesn't detect the graphics card.  It doesn't get installed automatically and if I try to install in manually it doesn't find it.  Its not listed under device manager and if I go to display adapter under settings it lists everything as "Unknown".

When I try to install the driver (the one with the disk, the one from the Asus site, or the one from the Nvidia site) it either says it can't detect the correct hardware and won't install the driver, or just skips the entire installation phase after the hardware detection phase and says that its complete even though it didn't install anything.

There is no old drivers to remove, the BIOS is set to use the add-in video card (obviously, since it is working on a basic level), and I've tried everything else I can think of.

FYI - I need the driver because while it works without it its very poor, windows update in a choppy fashion and such.
Avatar of Mike
Mike
Flag of United States of America image

What happens if you right click on the "unknown" display adapter, select remove and then scan for new hardware?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of Jared Luker
Jared Luker
Flag of United States of America image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
I have had this same issue recently with a similar card.
 
Are you using VGA from the VGA and a DVI from the DVI? Or are you using a VGA to DVI adaptor on the DVI?

The issue that I had was that the DVI would only work with a DVI connection not the adaptor.

Also do you have the same poor image on all outputs- the VGA, DVI and HDMI?

Is windows all the way up to date with current updates and service packs?
Since it's a new card, there's a chance that it is not working properly.  If you have another nVidia card to test with, you can verify this, but there should be no reason why the driver that shipped with the card does not work.  Exchange it for a replacement.
Avatar of mjburgard

ASKER

I guess I wasn't quite clear.  It doesn't appear at all in device manager, when I'm using it instead of the integrated video there is no display adapter field.

The settings I was talking about are the ones I can get to by right clicking on the desktop and going to properties, then going to the settings tab, then clicking on advanced, then going to the adapter tab.  In that tab adapter type is blank and all the adapter information is listed as unavailable.

I feel like the card has to be getting enough power, since it does work.  It just won't register that it exists even while its in use.  I might be wrong though, maybe not enough power would cause it to work but not register as being there or something.

I'm pretty sure I've got an Ubunutu Live CD somewhere, I'll have to try and dig that up.

Changing from VGA to DVI doesn't seem to effect anything, and I'm not using an adapter.  Windows is up to date (Windows XP 32 bit Service Pack 3).

I do not have another nvidia card on hand that I can test with.  And its not really that the driver isn't working (again poor wording on my part) its that the driver will only install if it detects the card and the computer thinks the card isn't there (which is still really odd since its being used at the very moment its also "not there").
you can also test this card in another PC - to be sure it works ; it can be DOA
Have you tried disabling the onboard VGA in the BIOS as it could be detecting the new card as the onboard. You can also update the BIOS to see if it will resolve the issue.
SOLUTION
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Ended up returning the card, couldn't be positive in the end if the card was bad or if it was a clash with my system.
Wasn't my recommendation to return the card as well?
so did i
Guys... stop complaining.  The points have been awarded... move on.
yes - you've got them ....lol
Hah.. true.. but if I had not, I would still have moved on to the next question...  ;)
Sometimes, askers need to be educated in how EE works - it's better for everyone all around.