Reference number: CH000420

Installing a PC computer Video card.

Question:

Installing a PC computer Video Card.

Answer:

Buying tips and help
Before getting started
Set Jumpers
Install into Expansion slot
CMOS setup
Software setup
Troubleshooting

Buying tips and help

If you have not already purchased a Video Card please see our video card buying tips section help before continuing.

Before getting started

1. Difficulty of installing computer video card should be a 2 out of 5.
2. Write down important information from the top or bottom of the card such as the Model Number, Serial Number and specifications.
3. Ensure you are familiar with ESD and its potential dangers.
4. When physically installing the video card, ensure the computer is powered down and unplugged.
5. Finally, verify that the computer has an available AGP slot and/or PCI slot for the video card. If you are planning on taking out your previous video card to install the new video card ensure that the slot will be compatible with your video card. Some computer cases have a proprietary AGP slot causing only certain video cards to be compatible with the computer.

Set Jumpers

While today most Video Cards are configured or setup through either software or through Plug-n-Play, if your Video Card has jumpers verify that the jumpers are properly set. The jumpers generally determine the IRQ resource settings.

Additional information about resource settings can be found on our resource page.

Install into Expansion slot

Today, Video cards are capable of connecting into a PCI or AGP slot. Locate an available slot within the computer and gently push the card into the slot until it snaps and holds place. Once the card is in the slot, place a screw into the top of the card to hold the card into position.

Additional information about the computer bus or expansion slots can be found on our computer hardware bus page.

BIOS setup

Once the Video Card has been successfully physically installed into the computer, place the case back onto the computer and connect the keyboard, monitor and power to the computer (we recommend that you do not connect all the cables yet, if problems are experienced you may have to disconnect all the cables again).

If your computer has an on-board video card, determine if the Video card can be disabled through BIOS. Turn the computer back on and as it begins booting, enter BIOS setup. If this option is not present in BIOS we recommend your review document CH000193.

Additional help and information about the BIOS can be found on our BIOS page.

Software setup

After the card has been installed, your video card should have included software drivers for your operating system.

If the video card did not include drivers or the drivers appear not to work, you can find a listing of drivers on our video card driver page.

Troubleshooting

If additional issues are encountered during or after the installation of the video card, please refer to our main video card page for additional help and information.