Can't use pci video card as primary video adapter
 

I have a PCI video card that I am trying to use as my primary (or
possibly only) video card and my computer doesn't want me to do that.
In my BIOS I have the option of setting the primary video controller
to AGP or to Auto which uses PCI first or AGP if a PCI video card
isn't found. So I set it to Auto (have tried with 'DAC Snooping' on
or off) and when I restart or turn on next, I get no video out of
either card. To fix it I have to remove the PCI card so the Auto
setting will choose my working AGP card. I've tried many things here
such as playing with the IRQ settings in the BIOS, removing the AGP
card, and physically looking for jumpers/switches on either card, but
have had no luck. I know the video from the PCI card works since I
can make it work fine (as either a primary or secondary monitor) in
Windows, but I have never seen any video out of it before Windows
finished booting.

Here's the full situation: I have an ATI All-in-Wonder 128 Pro PCI
card that I am trying to install. I found out that I need to use it
as the primary video card in order to use the TV tuner functionality
on it. I assume it must be the primary card in BIOS as I can't get
Windows to detect it as a video capture device. My AGP card in a
nVidia GeForce something.

Any ideas?

wrote in message . com...
I have a PCI video card that I am trying to use as my primary (or
possibly only) video card and my computer doesn't want me to do that.
In my BIOS I have the option of setting the primary video controller
to AGP or to Auto which uses PCI first or AGP if a PCI video card
isn't found. So I set it to Auto (have tried with 'DAC Snooping' on
or off) and when I restart or turn on next, I get no video out of
either card. To fix it I have to remove the PCI card so the Auto
setting will choose my working AGP card. I've tried many things here
such as playing with the IRQ settings in the BIOS, removing the AGP
card, and physically looking for jumpers/switches on either card, but
have had no luck. I know the video from the PCI card works since I
can make it work fine (as either a primary or secondary monitor) in
Windows, but I have never seen any video out of it before Windows
finished booting.

Here's the full situation: I have an ATI All-in-Wonder 128 Pro PCI
card that I am trying to install. I found out that I need to use it
as the primary video card in order to use the TV tuner functionality
on it. I assume it must be the primary card in BIOS as I can't get
Windows to detect it as a video capture device. My AGP card in a
nVidia GeForce something.

Any ideas?

Hi Dan,
Set your BIOS to Auto. Shut Down the system. Remove the AGP card.
Start the system. If it still doesn't work, restart the system and
boot to safe mode and change your resolution to 640x480 and reboot.
Then get the latest drivers for the new card. Then change the
resolution back to what you want and reboot. If that all doesn't work,
contact ATI about the BIOS setting and make sure the motherboard
should recognize the card. If so, contact the motherboard manufacturer
for information on how to get it to work properly.

Silicon Alley Computers
www.siliconalleycomputers.com

wrote in message . com...
I have a PCI video card that I am trying to use as my primary (or
possibly only) video card and my computer doesn't want me to do that.
In my BIOS I have the option of setting the primary video controller
to AGP or to Auto which uses PCI first or AGP if a PCI video card
isn't found. So I set it to Auto (have tried with 'DAC Snooping' on
or off) and when I restart or turn on next, I get no video out of
either card. To fix it I have to remove the PCI card so the Auto
setting will choose my working AGP card. I've tried many things here
such as playing with the IRQ settings in the BIOS, removing the AGP
card, and physically looking for jumpers/switches on either card, but
have had no luck. I know the video from the PCI card works since I
can make it work fine (as either a primary or secondary monitor) in
Windows, but I have never seen any video out of it before Windows
finished booting.

Here's the full situation: I have an ATI All-in-Wonder 128 Pro PCI
card that I am trying to install. I found out that I need to use it
as the primary video card in order to use the TV tuner functionality
on it. I assume it must be the primary card in BIOS as I can't get
Windows to detect it as a video capture device. My AGP card in a
nVidia GeForce something.

Any ideas?

Hi Dan,
Set your BIOS to Auto. Shut Down the system. Remove the AGP card.
Start the system. If it still doesn't work, restart the system and
boot to safe mode and change your resolution to 640x480 and reboot.
Then get the latest drivers for the new card. Then change the
resolution back to what you want and reboot. If that all doesn't work,
contact ATI about the BIOS setting and make sure the motherboard
should recognize the card. If so, contact the motherboard manufacturer
for information on how to get it to work properly.

Silicon Alley Computers
www.siliconalleycomputers.com

I have a Dell Dimension 4550 with BIOS version A02. Not sure how to
check the MOBO.

I doubt this is an issue of upgrading the BIOS, because this is a very
old card and a relatively new comp. I'll look into that though. Now
when I select Auto, the only choice besides AGP, I'm almost positive
it is finding the AIW card and attempting (but failing) to initialize
it. The reason I say this is because when I select Auto and reboot, i
loose video on my AGP card, but when I physically remove the AIW, my
AGP card works again.

I know this isn't an issue of drivers since I can get it to work in
windows at any allowable resolution; its just when my computer is
first turning on (up until my desktop loads - before any drivers are
installed) when I have problems.

Ok, I found the right BIOS upgrade on the Dell site. I upgraded to
A08 and still have the same problem.

wrote in message . com...
Ok, I found the right BIOS upgrade on the Dell site. I upgraded to
A08 and still have the same problem.

By default DAC is off

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...up.htm#1097056

Try this:
Turn DAC on
Set Video to Auto
Save and exit and imediately turn the computer off
Remove the AGP adn install the PCI
Power on and see if you get video

I think the DAC option is for system with Intgrated Video (do you have
it?)

If this does not work then it probably does not work with PCI video as
the primary and you should look into getting an AGP with a video tuner
BTW Dell support will not assist with this issue as it is not using
the OEM hardware

-Dwayne

I think the DAC option is for system with Intgrated Video (do you have
it?)


I do not.



If this does not work then it probably does not work with PCI video as
the primary and you should look into getting an AGP with a video tuner
BTW Dell support will not assist with this issue as it is not using
the OEM hardware

-Dwayne


Thanks a lot everyone for your help but I already did order a new AGP
card off eBay and I figured I'd just sell the PCI card there (which is
where I got it.) I got it fairly cheap; I'm sure I can get at least
the amount I spent on it. The new card I will be getting is a much
better one anyway (the one I'm gonna sell isn't even supported by ATI
anymore.) So thanks again, I spent many late LATE nights working on
this. The new one should work fine.

Dan