Reference number: CH000258

How do I determine what type of video card I have?

Question:

How do I determine what type of video card I have? 

Answer:

Below is a few different methods of determining the type of video card in an IBM compatible computer. Although most of these methods are for IBM compatible computer's, Apple computer's could also use some of the methods listed below to determine the type of their video card.

Method One

Many versions of Microsoft Windows will automatically detect and install your video card. Assuming no video issues currently exist with the video card you can determine the type of video card under display adapters in Device Manager.

Note: If you are experiencing video issues or the video card is being detected as a "Standard VGA" adapter it is likely what Microsoft Windows is not detecting the type of video card and if you need to determine the type of video card for drivers you will need to try the next step.

Method Two

Download one of the third-party programs found on document CH000017. These utilities can be used to help identify and list all of the hardware found in your computer.

Method Three

Many video cards and chipsets will list the type of video card and/or memory during the POST. Try rebooting the computer and as it is first booting press the "Pause / Break" key to temporarily halt the computer's boot process and read the text on the screen. If you are unfamiliar with video card manufacturers / chipsets write down some of the company names you see and search our video card driver section for that company. 

Method Four

The below steps require that the user first get to a MS-DOS prompt. Information about getting to a MS-DOS prompt can be found on document CHDOS. 

At the C:\> prompt type the below commands.

debug <press enter>

At the - prompt type the below command. 

d c000:0040

After typing the above command you should receive several lines of text similar to:

As you can pick out in the above dump this gives you enough information to determine the make and the year made on the video card. On line 4 you can see the make of this video card which in this case is a nVIDIA TNT which would be the Riva TNT chipset. The next line you notice the version of the card and finally the line thereafter is the copyright or the year manufactured generally.

If you are unable to capture any information which sounds like the video card you can also type

-d c000:0090

The above line will give you a dump similar to the above example however may have additional information about the video card.

Note: If the video card is onboard you may get the motherboard name and/or chipset. If you have an onboard video card you should get the video drivers for your chipset. Commonly the video drivers / chipset drivers are available through the motherboard manufacturer. 

Once you're ready to exit the debug prompt type "quit" to exit back to the MS-DOS prompt. If you wish to close the MS-DOS window type "exit".

Method Five

Unplug everything from the back of the computer and open the computer and look for any visual identification directly off of the video card or motherboard. Many times you can find the manufacturer name, model, serial number, and/or other unique identifications that can be used to identify the type of video card or video chipset you have.

Method Six

If you are unable to locate a manufacturer or model number of the video card, however are able to locate a FCC identification number it is recommended that you perform a FCC search using that number. Additional information about FCC numbers and how to search for information about a FCC number can be found on our FCC dictionary definition page.