Anyone know anything about computers? - Page 4

Biggles · 16 September 2006, 16:58

Andy,

If you know the name of your motherboard go to the manufacturers site. Its most likely that this problem would have cropped up before and you will find an appropiate answer.

Not too sure about fire. Computers have many safeguards nowadays. Most likely if it ain't right it just won't work and also if you have to force it your probably doing something wrong or it ain't supposed to fit.

Give me the name of your motherboard and I'll do some hunting round.

Hightower · 16 September 2006, 17:16

I have a user's guide and all it has on it is: Mainboard P4 P4S5A and some form of serial #: EA=000AE619F59D Version:5.1a P/N:40-012-D44516 and that's it.

Good luck

Nick.

Biggles · 16 September 2006, 17:28

Andy that should be enough. In fact I think my son has that motherboard in his PC.

Biggles · 16 September 2006, 17:34

Something to get you going.

http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWeb/Product...ailName=Manual

Although we might need to know exactly which version.

This will be printed on the motherboard somewhere

Hightower · 16 September 2006, 17:39

I've just looked at the Novatech website at the graphics card I was interested in: http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s...nov-fx5525&P=1

In the specs it says that it's system requirments are for a AGP2.0 or later. In the motherboard user handbook it says that the 4xAGP slot is a AGP2.0 compliant interface. Is that a result?

On a different note, my DVD player is (excuse pun) playing up. It's not showing in my computer or device manager. Any suggestions?

Biggles · 16 September 2006, 17:45

Andy,

Just need a little more info. Can you find the version of motherboard it should be printed somewhere on it.

Biggles · 16 September 2006, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

I've just looked at the Novatech website at the graphics card I was interested in: http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s...nov-fx5525&P=1

In the specs it says that it's system requirments are for a AGP2.0 or later. In the motherboard user handbook it says that the 4xAGP slot is a AGP2.0 compliant interface. Is that a result?

On a different note, my DVD player is (excuse pun) playing up. It's not showing in my computer or device manager. Any suggestions?

I honestly can't see why the graphics card won't work. I'm 100 % it will.

With regards the DVd player. Have you knocked a cable loose whilst openeing it up ?

Biggles · 16 September 2006, 17:47

My son has ver 1.5 of that motherboard and I had to upgrade the BIOs to get 8 X AGP. He is running a Nvidia 5600.

Biggles · 16 September 2006, 17:51

This should help with regards the MB version.

http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWeb/Support...ow.aspx#ver_mb

Hightower · 16 September 2006, 17:56

Had a good look at the front of the motherboard and can't see any evidence of which version it is. Can't see the back without taking it out. Will ask Novatech on Monday, they will have the info for the system they sold me 4 years ago.

As for the DVD, I've checked everything. When I shut down I'll remove and replace all the connectors.

Thanks for you help Nick.

Biggles · 16 September 2006, 18:00

Andy,

Good luck. As I said I'm pretty sure an 8x AGP card will fit. Physically they are the same. Voltages should be as per the standard set by AGP 2.0. Its just that information from the card to the MoBo will go at half speed. Not something you will notice. Depending on how much you want to spend you could always buy a new motherboard that will take your CPU and RAM. Then you'll definatley get 8X AGP. But I don't think you need to do that. Not unless your suddenly going to start playing games.

Hightower · 16 September 2006, 18:17

Nick, the only information I could find on the Motherboard is: P4S5A/DX+ and the BIOS info when I boot up is: P4S5A/DX+ Release 08/22/2002.

Biggles · 16 September 2006, 19:14

Bingo,

This is yours.

http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWeb/Product...uID=26&LanID=9

Biggles · 16 September 2006, 19:18

The manual says this

Expansion Slots •One 4xAGP slot for AGP 2.0-compliant interface

Biggles · 16 September 2006, 19:21

Andy,

Thats as much as I can do for you. Other than fitting the card which I'm sure will work.

Best of luck.

Hightower · 16 September 2006, 23:03

Thanks for all your help Nick (I can say I know much more about computers endtrails now), and everyone else that inputed for my problems. I'll keep you all informed about my progress.

benc · 16 September 2006, 23:10

Did you get the dvd drive working?

If not, what I'm guessing you've done is put the new hard drive on the same cable as the dvd drive?

if so, you need to check the "jumpers".

One device will need to be on master, and then the other on slave.

If they are not set right, odd things can happen! Sometimes one drive works, sometimes neither work.

If you look at the back of the DVD drive where the power and ide cables go, you should see a jumper just between them. I tend to set the cd/dvd drive as the slave, and the hard drive as the the master. Again, on the hard drive, the jumper settings are either on the sticker, written on the circuit board near the jumper, or engraved in the plastic by the jumper.

Hightower · 16 September 2006, 23:47

Thanks Ben, it did seem to be a loose/dodgy connection. I'm going to replace the DVD player with a DVD player/burner, but not till I've sorted the graphics card.

Hightower · 23 September 2006, 17:26

Pc very nearly updated.

New Graphics card (installed today). I bought an 8X Radeon 9250 with 256MB, I'm glad I did this and not just replaced the fan. It's transformed my display, particularly as I replaced the CRT monitor for a TFT one.

New TFT widescreen monitor, Movies will never be the same

.

Firewire card so that I can finally edit my home movies.

New DVD burner to replace my DVD player (that sometimes played up).

An extra hard drive I acquired.

I'll just reload my software and I'm off.

Just a thank you to everyone that gave input and Biggles Nick

.