Random switching between graphics card and VGA

msilverman · 09-13-2004, 07:40 PM

Hey folks,

I've got a strange one.

Just got a new Gateway desktop, and everything works great, except for the fact that every time I boot up, the video signal randomly switches between the graphics card (at the bottom rear of the tower) and the VGA output (towards the top rear of the tower.) So, when I boot, and the monitor is black, I have to climb down underneath and switch the cable from one to the other. Once I do so, everything works like a dream, but I can't figure out how to get it to stop switching.

When I do switch it TO the VGA output, I get a message from Win XP that says it needs a VGA driver. I tell it to search, but it can't find anything, and the only disk I got with the computer was the system restore.

I called Gateway, and they were stumped. They suggested that I wipe it clean and restore windows, but I'd rather not if I can help it, as I have quite a bit of software and documents already installed.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to stop it from switching, i.e. set up a "default" that it will always remember?

Also, which output is "better" for picture quality, the graphics card or the VGA? I can't tell the difference, but I'll be doing a lot of graphic design and would like the best picture possible. Can I "set" it to one or the other?

For reference, it's a
Gateway 550 GR
3.20 Ghz P4
1 Gig of Ram
200 GB HD
and a
ATI Radeon X300 SE Graphics Card

I've never had a graphics card on a computer, so perhaps there's something I haven't set up properly.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice!

-Matt

Lorand · 09-13-2004, 08:19 PM

Have you disabled the onboard video card in the BIOS?

msilverman · 09-13-2004, 09:30 PM

How would I go about doing that? (If you don't mind explaining?)

Also, if I disabled the card, would I be able to use it for applications?

Thanks.

**Praetor** · 09-14-2004, 05:56 AM

Quote:

the video signal randomly switches between the graphics card (at the bottom rear of the tower) and the VGA output (towards the top rear of the tower.)

May i ask, whats the difference between the VGA card and the graphics card?

msilverman · 09-14-2004, 03:05 PM

To be honest, I have no clue. Perhaps I'm mixing up some terminology here? All I know from looking at the diagram of the tower, and the tower itself, is that there are two places to plug in the monitor, and sometimes the top one works, and sometimes the bottom one works.

Being more of an audio person, I'm a bit out of my element here!

Thanks for taking the time!

Lorand · 09-14-2004, 03:10 PM

I think one of those plugs is the onboard video card's output and the problems arises from conflicts between the two cards.
Enter BIOS and search for something like integrated peripherals. Here you can disable the onboard VGA.

msilverman · 09-14-2004, 03:25 PM

Would you mind just getting me started on how to "enter BIOS"? It would be new terrain for me.

Another question: Disabling one card seems to be the right solution, but on the off chance it doesn't work, and the computer then decides to "switch" the output to the disabled card, will I then be left with a working computer but an eternally blank screen?

Thanks again.

**Praetor** · 09-14-2004, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Enter BIOS and search for something like integrated peripherals. Here you can disable the onboard VGA.

Damn with a board running PCIz ... that they didnt get their act together to disable it automatically... tsk tsk OEMs

Quote:

Would you mind just getting me started on how to "enter BIOS"? It would be new terrain for me.

Power up and press some button (usually F1, F2, F12 or Delete), it will say and you'll be in BIOS

09-13-2004, 07:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
msilverman New Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 5	Random switching between graphics card and VGA Hey folks, I've got a strange one. Just got a new Gateway desktop, and everything works great, except for the fact that every time I boot up, the video signal randomly switches between the graphics card (at the bottom rear of the tower) and the VGA output (towards the top rear of the tower.) So, when I boot, and the monitor is black, I have to climb down underneath and switch the cable from one to the other. Once I do so, everything works like a dream, but I can't figure out how to get it to stop switching. When I do switch it TO the VGA output, I get a message from Win XP that says it needs a VGA driver. I tell it to search, but it can't find anything, and the only disk I got with the computer was the system restore. I called Gateway, and they were stumped. They suggested that I wipe it clean and restore windows, but I'd rather not if I can help it, as I have quite a bit of software and documents already installed. Anyone have any suggestions on how to stop it from switching, i.e. set up a "default" that it will always remember? Also, which output is "better" for picture quality, the graphics card or the VGA? I can't tell the difference, but I'll be doing a lot of graphic design and would like the best picture possible. Can I "set" it to one or the other? For reference, it's a Gateway 550 GR 3.20 Ghz P4 1 Gig of Ram 200 GB HD and a ATI Radeon X300 SE Graphics Card I've never had a graphics card on a computer, so perhaps there's something I haven't set up properly. Thanks in advance for any help or advice! -Matt

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09-13-2004, 08:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lorand VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bucharest Age: 41 Posts: 3,042	Have you disabled the onboard video card in the BIOS?

09-13-2004, 09:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
msilverman New Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 5	How would I go about doing that? (If you don't mind explaining?) Also, if I disabled the card, would I be able to use it for applications? Thanks.

09-14-2004, 03:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
msilverman New Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 5	To be honest, I have no clue. Perhaps I'm mixing up some terminology here? All I know from looking at the diagram of the tower, and the tower itself, is that there are two places to plug in the monitor, and sometimes the top one works, and sometimes the bottom one works. Being more of an audio person, I'm a bit out of my element here! Thanks for taking the time!

09-14-2004, 03:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lorand VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bucharest Age: 41 Posts: 3,042	I think one of those plugs is the onboard video card's output and the problems arises from conflicts between the two cards. Enter BIOS and search for something like integrated peripherals. Here you can disable the onboard VGA.

09-14-2004, 03:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
msilverman New Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 5	Would you mind just getting me started on how to "enter BIOS"? It would be new terrain for me. Another question: Disabling one card seems to be the right solution, but on the off chance it doesn't work, and the computer then decides to "switch" the output to the disabled card, will I then be left with a working computer but an eternally blank screen? Thanks again.