Help installing a video card?

[1hope]

OK, I got that Video card I wanted so badly. I finally found it at pricegrabbers - thanks for the link jko.
I did the research I needed to make sure I got a card that was compatible with my Compaq XP. I got a Elsa Erazor 3, 32Mg. card. I got on the internet to learn how to install it. Followed the instructions to the letter and ...nothing! My computer absolutely refuses to recognize the Video Card. I had disabled the old one (which was only 8 Mg.) as instructed, but my computer wont acknowledge it. Anybody have an idea why?
I contacted Compaq support, they gave me all the advice they could - no help.
I actually have my computer scheduled to go in for a maintenance checkup with sears in a couple of days. I was hoping to have the video card figured out before then. That way if I did any damage, they'd fix it for me. Hehe, that's sneaky of me huh? Actually, I just wanted to know before I sent the computer off, that there was no problem with the Video card - like maybe it was damaged or something. I'll have to turn around and take the card out again since it's not part of the original computer. But I was hoping to know what the problem is before the computer goes bye-bye for a few days.
Anybody know what I'm doing wrong?

 

[jko]

Is your old card an onboard card? Or is it a PCI or AGP card? If it's onboard go into the BIOS and dissable it. If it's a card, take out the old one.

Also, in Device Manager, does XP actually see the card you installed? Did you download the drivers from your cards site for XP?

 

[1hope]

It's a card.
Forgive me for sounding ignorant here. I'm not THAT familiar with the inside of a computer. The original card is in the PCI slot but The Erazor 3 card I have is for the AGP. Could that be the problem?
I'm self taught with computers, so please have patients with me here.

 

[Marcel]

What you're doing wrong? You bought a Compaq for starters...

Next time, avoid big brandnames. Those work fine as long as you don't alter anything, but suck big time when you try something weird like upgrade. If you want to take proper advantage of the benefits of "open architecture", have your own custom configuration assembled, or even better assemble it yourself. It's the best way of learning how your pc works.

My pc is a seccondhand Frankenstein jobby, and I put the sucker together all by myself. It works like a charm.

 

[jko]

So the old card is still in there? If so, remove the PCI card though, remove it from Device Manager, also remove your new card from device manager.

Then remove the PCI video card, boot back up and once Windows notices the new AGP card install the correct drivers and you should be all set.

 

[pinPoint]

^^^ dont forget to run the install drivers after that! heheh!

pin

 

[1hope]

UPDATE. I now know why I couldn't get my graphic card to install. The AGP slot was completely shot! I now have to send the computer back a second time for repair (they missed the problem the first time. A local computer repair man had to find the trouble for me).

 

[doofus125]

That's not good, that means they will more than likely have to replace the motherboard.......and being Compaq is part of HP now you could be waiting a while to get that computer back, I waited for 2 weeks for HP to ship a board to repair a system I purchased a few years ago......then it took the store another 2 weeks to install it, I should have just did it all myself, but I didn't want to go through the hassle of the warrenty.......Good luck bro