New video card problem

[Bozo Erectus]

Ive got a Sony Vaio with a built in graphics card. I got a new PCI geForce card, the computer detects it, the drivers are installed, but the monitor doesnt get a signal when I try to boot up with it connected to the new card. I disabled the default one in Device Manager. I guess I have to take out the jumper for the old one? Theres a jumper on the motherboard right next to where the monitor cable plugs in, would that would be it?

 

[Civrules]

In the BIOS, did you change the setting from "Onboard" to "PCI"?
It is worth a try.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Civ, theres no option in the BIOS to change it. I updated the BIOS and still theres no option. I got off the phone a little while ago with the Sony tech support, and the guy I spoke to didnt have a clue, he just read off his screen and told me to update the bios Im 99.9% sure that removing that jumper will resolve the problem, but Im afraid to screw around with the jumpers on the mobo if Im not absolutely certain. My hardware specialist friend is on his way over, if he says it wont hurt to give it a try, I'll go for it. I guess the worst that would happen is that I couldnt boot the comp, in which case I'll just put the jumper back, and I'll be able to boot up again.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Well, I strongly advise everyone to stay away from Sony Vaio computers if you want to install a decent video card. According to Sony (I went through a series of knuckleheads until I finally got somebody who appears to know a little bit about Sony hardware), theres NO WAY to disable the onboard video. Its got a PCI and PCI Express slot, and the top of the foodchain at Sony said that he thinks maybe, if I try a PCI Express card it'll override the onboard Intel video, but he couldnt gaurantee it. WTF? Im sure its going to be a huge waste of time but I'll give it a shot and report back here with the results.

But for now my advice is to steer clear of Sony next time youre buying a comp.

 

[Civrules]

Well, I strongly advise everyone to stay away from Sony Vaio computers if you want to install a decent video card. According to Sony (I went through a series of knuckleheads until I finally got somebody who appears to know a little bit about Sony hardware), theres NO WAY to disable the onboard video. Its got a PCI and PCI Express slot, and the top of the foodchain at Sony said that he thinks maybe, if I try a PCI Express card it'll override the onboard Intel video, but he couldnt gaurantee it. WTF? Im sure its going to be a huge waste of time but I'll give it a shot and report back here with the results.

But for now my advice is to steer clear of Sony next time youre buying a comp.

Whoa, one wouldn't expect this from Sony... Did you try the jumper idea you had? Also, in Device Manager (you said you disabled it), did you try to actually un-install it [onboard graphics]?

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Whoa, one wouldn't expect this from Sony... Did you try the jumper idea you had? Also, in Device Manager (you said you disabled it), did you try to actually un-install it [onboard graphics]?

I know, its the last thing I expected myself, and I told the guy as much. I finally decided against removing that jumper because nobody that I spoke to at Sony had any idea what the jumper is actually for.

Yes I tried uninstalling the onboard graphics chipset too, no change. Its a shame because this is really a kickass computer. If it wasnt for this weird problem with upgrading the video, Id highly recomend it to everyone. Well, still one more thing to try tommorow with the Express card. Since Sony doesnt even know if it'll work, Im doubtfull, but its worth one more try at least before I start saving up for another computer.

 

[Comraddict]

two cards can run at same time...

 

[Bozo Erectus]

two cards can run at same time...

The problem here seems to be getting the computer to boot up with a card other than the default onboard one. Since theres nothing in the BIOS that allows you to switch, and theres no apparent way to disable the default on the motherboard, me and everyone who's looked at the problem are stumped. Do you know of something I could try?

 

[aneeshm]

Yes , I could . GNU/Linux . . . . .

A Link to the Ubuntu website

You might have to manually hack /etc/X11/xorg.conf a bit , but it definitely can be done .

 

[Bozo Erectus]

aneeshm, thats interesting, I'll keep those search results for future reference, but Im not prepared at all right now to switch over to a new OS.

You might have to manually hack /etc/X11/xorg.conf a bit ,

Would that be done in linux or XP?

but it definitely can be done .

I know thats whats so frustrating, just a question of stumbling on the answer.

 

[Grisu]

hmm, I guess that with the PCI-Express card you have a better chance. Maybe since nobody actually uses PCI-Graphics-Card anymore, Sony thougth that they wouldn't support it by BIOS...

as for the jumper: as long as you remember exactly where it was, the risk isn't really that big, I doubt that sony builds computers that blow up if you remove a jumper

 

[Bozo Erectus]

----UPDATE-----

Im the happiest 200 Giggy Niggy in the whole world Turns out, this model of Sony Vaio comes with a PCI and PCI Express slot. The first card I got was PCI, and apparently thats only for using dual monitors. The other slot is PCI Express. My friend went through a similar problem getting the right card for his comp, and had a brand new PCI express Radeon X300 laying around gathering dust. I slipped the sucker in and it actually works This card kicks major league buttocks Best part is he's going to let me have it for a measly $100.

So the moral of the story is: Sony makes a great computer, but their tech support sucks.