Installing an AIW Pro on a Dell 2400

[Rookie64]

Hey,

I just got a Dell 2400 - Pentium 4 Processor at 2.40GHz with 533MHz (with WinXP) and attempted to install my ATI AIW Pro card.

Problem is the pre-installed graphics card is not in the AGP slot, that I can switch one with the other.

I tried adding the AIW Pro, but the computer still displays with the pre-installed graphics adapter, even with the monitor plugged into the AIW Pro card.

I also have a Dell Dimension 4100 - 866 megahertz Intel Pentium III
32 kilobyte primary memory cache / 256 kilobyte secondary memory cache (with WinME)

I want to capture VHS for DVD-R...so my question is, which computer would be better for that, and if I can use the capture card on the 2400,
how do I go about installing it?

From what I read on ATI's site about installing the XP drivers, it doesn't sound like WinXP is a good OS for captures with the AIW Pro, but WinME is known to have a memory leak.
Anyway, I can install either OS on either computer...just wondering which would be better for captures.

Any advice or help would be much appreciated.


Thanks

[flaninacupboard]

I think i speak for us all when i say:
Don't install Win ME!! Happy users are few and far between.

XP should be fine for capping and making DVD's. Your other option is Win2000 (my personal choice, as it has all the useful bits of XP [stability, NTFS etc] without the lame, slow GUI)

Have a look in your bios. to get into bios, you will either hit Del, F8, F2 or something else (it will say, "to enter steup please hit..." ) Inside you will find an option, primary graphics controller. probably set to PCI, change to AGP save and exit. install the card in the AGP slot, and it should work fine from the new card. some motherboards may require you to move a jumper on the board to disable the onboard graphics. have a check in your manual.

Any chance of telling us what mobo you have so someone with the same model can advise on the exact procedure?

[pixel]

If you are not using the other PC, and don't mind having it running a lot, install the card on it. (Of course, I'm taking it from the viewpoint it will be AVI captures then converting to MPEG2).

The old PC won't have any trouble capping AVI without dropped frames, but it will take about 3x the length that your new processor will take to encode. (This is why you will have to put up with it being on a lot). This means you will free up your new PC if you use it a lot.

If you plan on doing MPEG2 captures, just install it on your new PC, as the old one will be too slow for that.

[Rookie64]

I think i speak for us all when i say:
Don't install Win ME!! Happy users are few and far between.

Oh I know the horrors of WinME

Yet I somehow managed to survive Win 3.1 as well

I'm planning on using one of the computers strickly for capturing and encoding and the other for everything else, so I didn't mind using WinME for just capturing, though I know it's not stable.
But that'll be great that I can use XP instead.

Have a look in your bios. to get into bios, you will either hit Del, F8, F2 or something else (it will say, "to enter steup please hit..." ) Inside you will find an option, primary graphics controller. probably set to PCI, change to AGP save and exit. install the card in the AGP slot, and it should work fine from the new card. some motherboards may require you to move a jumper on the board to disable the onboard graphics. have a check in your manual.

'K...I got into bios, it had an enable/disable option for PCI, which I disabled.
No AGP listed anywhere in the bios though.

My Dimension 2400 came with an Integrated Intel 3D Extreme Graphics video card.
There is a CMOS jumper (JP2) and a password jumper (JP1) - would either of those need moved?

Thanks for taking the time out to explain that - it's a very big help!

[gmatov]

Rookie,

I think, in BIOS, the AGP slot is considered a PCI slot, so enabling will allow it to work. There should have been an option, somewhere to disable onboard graphics, but don't think you have to worry about it.

Just installed my AGP card in my onboard graphics machine, after getting everything else installed, no visit to BIOS to disable, AGP card works perfectly

Unless yours is way different, just keep on keepin' on.

Cheers,

George

[stiltman]

From dell's forums here

2200, 2400 -
* To set your Dell home page, go here:
https://support.dell.com/register.aspx
* If listed, click Home and Home Office
* Under "Alternative Sign In", type in your Service Tag number [press Enter]
* On the left, click Documentation
* Click Adding Parts or Tech Notes, look for "opening the computer cover" or "Removing and Replacing Parts"
* Power down and open the case
* Insert the new video card in a PCI slot, BUT leave the monitor attached to the onboard video card!!
* Turn on (or restart) your computer
* When the blue DELL logo appears, press F2 immediately
* Down arrow to Integrated Devices [press Enter]
* Down arrow to Primary Video controller, change this to AUTO or PCI
* Press Escape to save your changes and exit the system setup. BUT leave the monitor attached to the onboard video card
* You should now be going into Windows, go ahead and load the drivers for the added video card. When finished, don't let the system restart
* Press the Windows + Pause/Break keys
* Click the Hardware tab and/or the Device Manager button
* Open Display Adapters
* Double click the Intel listing
* Click the down arrow by "Use this device" and change it to "Do NOT use this device"
* Click OK and close all boxes
* Click Start- Shutdown- Shutdown- Ok or Click Start- Turn Off Computer- Turn Off
* Connect the monitor to the added video card and power the system on

Also here

and here

[gmatov]

Rookie,

Missed this but DO NOT move the CMOS jumper, unless you get it so screwed up you have to go to default setting on the MoBo. Chances are really slim you will go that far. You seem to be new to building/upgrading, so will, I hope, be conservative, watch what you are doing.

But, it is nice to know that if you do screw something up, all you have to do is unplug, change those jumpered pins, and you will be back to factory default, original BIOS settings.

You really can't hurt the board. Experiment a little, but write down what you changed to what so you can always remember how to go back. One item at a time. Have fun, guy, impossible to break without a hammer.

Cheers,

George

[Rookie64]

If you are not using the other PC, and don't mind having it running a lot, install the card on it. (Of course, I'm taking it from the viewpoint it will be AVI captures then converting to MPEG2).

Yep, I'll be doing AVI captures - I do a lot of editing and applying filters and effects in Vegas Video 4.0

The old PC won't have any trouble capping AVI without dropped frames, but it will take about 3x the length that your new processor will take to encode. (This is why you will have to put up with it being on a lot). This means you will free up your new PC if you use it a lot.)

I also have an AIW Pro card installed in the other computer...so it won't be a problem to use either or both.
I was mostly wondering which would be best for captures - thanks for the advice and tips

My burner is external, so that also is no problem to hook up to either computer.

I used to do captures before on the old one for VCDs.

I didn't think it would be able to handle the encoding for DVD-R...and I got a pretty good deal on the new computer, which will be a lifesaver


Thanks!

[stiltman]

read the last part of this thread

Here's what a dell rep said
The AGP is part of the motherboard. It isn't a separate slot you can see. Your system has three PCI slots that you can access.

[Rookie64]

Thanks, guys, for all the help!


Luckily, I read all this before attempting anything

[gmatov]

Stiltman,

You have just been initiated into the wonderful world of Tech Support. They are super smart, they are, damn, they are Brilliant, they know it ALL. And, someone asks them why something doesn't work, they give an entirely feasible answer.

AHHHHH, but.....

If you should go to the first post on this thread, I think you will find that the Rookie plugged his card into the AGP slot, and the card even displays on the monitor, the monitor being plugged into the AIW, not the on board video chip/port.

Now, I just wonder what the tech would say if you asked him how that can be?
Maybe, "Well, you didn't give me enough information."
"Well, you, the Tech Expert said, unequivacably, that there is no physical AGP slot on the board, it's strictly a chip and circuitry."
"Well, they only pay me 8 bucks an hour when I don't have classes, and most people fall for the gibberish I give them. Cut me a break!!!"

[stiltman]

AHHHHH, but.....

If you should go to the first post on this thread, I think you will find that the Rookie plugged his card into the AGP slot, and the card even displays on the monitor, the monitor being plugged into the AIW, not the on board video chip/port.

AHHHHH, But

You should go back and re-read the first post!
How can someone put a AGP card in an AGP slot that does not exist?

The 2400 only has PCI slots, I posted what works...and you condemded me for it...Thanks


BTW, Why did you post? without trying to help?...retorical question

[gmatov]

AHHHHH, but.....

If you should go to the first post on this thread, I think you will find that the Rookie plugged his card into the AGP slot, and the card even displays on the monitor, the monitor being plugged into the AIW, not the on board video chip/port.

AHHHHH, But

You should go back and re-read the first post!
How can someone put a AGP card in an AGP slot that does not exist?

The 2400 only has PCI slots, I posted what works...and you condemded me for it...Thanks


BTW, Why did you post? without trying to help?...retorical question

Retorical, schmetorical

Now, again, go back and read his first post. It says, explicitly, that he plugged in his AGP AIW and connected his monitor to it, and has a display on the monitor.

That is there in black and white.

I didn't condemn you, I kinda chided you a little with the tech's replies, hypothetical, that is.

I, also went to Dell to check, DL'd the manual, and, lo and behold, the MoBo pic does NOT show an AGP slot.

So, now I am curious as to just where Rookie plugged the card in.

I thought my first comments were helpful. Might have been a little diff if I had gone to Dell first. At least I would have chided the Rookie, rather than you, as per your last, paraphrased "Now, how in the hell can you plug an AGP card into a non-existent AGP slot?"

Sorry about that, don't flame me no more, I'll be good.

Cheers,

George

[Rookie64]

Now, again, go back and read his first post. It says, explicitly, that he plugged in his AGP AIW and connected his monitor to it, and has a display on the monitor.

Wow, not sure what I started here

I'm nowhere near being an expert on computers, and I still have another year before hitting the big 4-0, so hopefully I haven't lost my mind yet

I don't think I fully understand the difference between a PCI and APG card, but I was able to plug the AIW card into that slot - the other two have the fax/modem and sound cards...they are a little smaller than the AIW Pro...but the AIW FITS perfectly into that slot (seriously)

It didn't display on the screen the first time I plugged the monitor into the AIW card...but after I installed DirectX 9 and attempted to to install the alternate recommened Driver for the AIW (listed on ATI's site), I got a warning saying not to install that driver - so I did exit the setup without doing the installation, yet it did leave some files on the hard drive.

Something weird happened then - I got the taskbar displaying through the pre-installed graphics card, and the desktop displaying through the AIW Pro card.
I could only use the computer (without the taskbar) with the monitor plugged into the AIW card.

I knew that was a problem there...so took the card out and everything was back to normal when I plugged the monitor back into the pre-installed grahics card.

Then I put the ATI card back in and was gonna try to install the driver ATI said was available with XP...but the display properties only listed the Intel adapter with no other options exect to disable it.

At that point, I decided to ask about it here - and to see if I should just use my other computer for captures instead.

I, also went to Dell to check, DL'd the manual, and, lo and behold, the MoBo pic does NOT show an AGP slot.

So, now I am curious as to just where Rookie plugged the card in.

My Manual also says the slots are PCI, but the card plugs into it perfectly - and it is the same one I used in my other two computers in place of the video cards that came with each.

My first computer is old - got it in '95, and I wouldn't consider using that to capture now.

The second one, I got in 2000, and it captures with no trouble - I have another AIW Pro installed in that one.

[gmatov]

Rookie,

You're bad!! You got Stiltman mad at me.

OK, as per the manual, you have 3 PCI slots on that board, built in AGP chip..

The PCI slot is say 3 inches long and maybe an inch from the back of the box. It is white.

The AGP is also about 3 inches long, maybe 2 inches from the back of the box, and it is usually brown.

So, you either have a PCI version of the AIW, or you were unable to plug your monitor into the card from the outside. Wierd to have that big fat wire coming in through the space that should have been closed when you put the side panel on.

I'm kidding. A youngster like you, we'll help instead of flaming.

Innyhoo, if you have a PCI version of the card, install, connect the monitor, boot up, right click on the desktop, properties, will bring you to Display Properties.

Click Settings, on top, Advanced, bottom right, should see a dialog box with tabs, 2nd from left should be "Adapter". Click, should see your onboard adapter whaatever it was, Intel something. CDlick "Change".

Next up should be a search for the right one thing. When you click far enough to find a scroll list, select ATI, right panel should show your model, or click "Have Disk", insert disk, browse to it, find it, and when you get the hi-lited file in the bottom window to match the one in the top window, except autoplay.inf, click OK.

That should install your card complete. Hereafter, you should have an ATI in your system instead of the Intel device, with all the ATI control functions.

Cheers,

George

[Rookie64]

Rookie,

You're bad!! You got Stiltman mad at me.

Sorry for the confusion, guys

I dug out the box for the AIW Pro that I installed into the new computer - it's a PCI 8M NA NTSC

The one installed in the other computer is an AGP version
So...that explains a lot

Anyway, I'm happy to know it'll work

Thanks so much for the help and putting up with me - you guys are great!

[stiltman]

Rookie,

You're bad!! You got Stiltman mad at me.

Sorry for the confusion, guys

I dug out the box for the AIW Pro that I installed into the new computer - it's a PCI 8M NA NTSC

The one installed in the other computer is an AGP version
So...that explains a lot

Anyway, I'm happy to know it'll work

Thanks so much for the help and putting up with me - you guys are great!

No Problem....
Did you get it installed and working?

[Rookie64]

No Problem....
Did you get it installed and working?

Actually, it just got me back to where I started

I did everything step by step but I'm stuck when it comes to installing the ATI AIW Pro drivers

The Alternate Driver won't install - I get a not compatible warning
I tried to install it anyway, but it automatically exits at that point.


The driver ATI recommends is supposed to be found on XP - but there are no drivers listed in display properties (where ATI says it should be)

Is there a way I can download these drivers elsewhere?
Then I can at least install them from a CD

[stiltman]

Are these the drivers that wouldn't install?

I think I read somewhere here, that the AIW Radeon can not use the latest Multi Media Center (MMC). Think it will only use up to version 7.6
What version came with the CD?

Lordsmurf probable can answer this question better

[Rookie64]

Are these the drivers that wouldn't install?

I think I read somewhere here, that the AIW Radeon can not use the latest Multi Media Center (MMC). Think it will only use up to version 7.6

That might be why I'm having trouble getting the drivers to install.

I was able to set the monitor up - it's now using the ATI card and lists it in the display properties.

The drivers, however, aren't working.

I even tried installing the old ones off the CD that came with the card, but it says I'm missing something.

I get a message saying try installing a standard VGA driver.