I need some computer help

[BadShot]

This is a driver issue pure and simple. If you've got internet access, just go download the latest NVidia driver, boot into safe mode - When the system says Starting Windows hold the F8 key - start safe mode with networking, make sure you uninstall the old driver first, restart, go back into safe mode, load new driver, restart normally.

If you are not even seeing the start up "Boot" info... or unable to get into the BIOS (for Dell's it's typically F2 when the machine is first starting up), THEN you have a hardware issue.

Alternately, you can see if you can get into Windows after you've removed the driver from safe mode. You actually should be able to get the OS started on just the generic video driver. If you can, then you don't need to load back into safe mode to load the new driver, just load it from Windows normally.

Baring all of that, someone will have an old video card to give you. I've ditched all my old PC stuff, but Microcenter in DTC will have some $20-40 cards that will do you just peachy.

All of this has been covered, but I didn't see where anyone was really being clear on how to do this task specifically.

[Hoosier]

These things are new, so I have no experience with them. They probably require USB2, as well. It's a USB to Video plug, essentially a small videocard in a shell.

http://sewelldirect.com/USB-to-DVI-E...Resolution.asp

The performance is probably much worse than a real video card, but if you're just running normal web pages and stuff, I'm guessing it works.

H.

[sniper7]

try to run in in "Safe Mode" if it loads --> delete/uninstall video card driver --> restart. If it restarts --> try to update video driver. I don't know if this gonna work for you, but it helped me with almost the same problem.

it won't even start up in safe mode, it starts and shows windows XP, then the screen turns all black, only the mouse arrow shows, then the thinking hour glass shows, then it turns up the blue screen.

[sniper7]

if safe mode don't work ....try loading from your windows XP install disc ( or the recovery CD's your computer came with.... if it works .. then you know it's the drivers... if it craps out the card is dead.

I'm not much of a windows guy.. but I think you can then delete the drivers or at least reinstall them once you get the windows CD booted..

I don't think I have those CDs. the computer is probably 8 years old at least.

[sniper7]

This is a driver issue pure and simple. If you've got internet access, just go download the latest NVidia driver, boot into safe mode - When the system says Starting Windows hold the F8 key - start safe mode with networking, make sure you uninstall the old driver first, restart, go back into safe mode, load new driver, restart normally.

If you are not even seeing the start up "Boot" info... or unable to get into the BIOS (for Dell's it's typically F2 when the machine is first starting up), THEN you have a hardware issue.

Alternately, you can see if you can get into Windows after you've removed the driver from safe mode. You actually should be able to get the OS started on just the generic video driver. If you can, then you don't need to load back into safe mode to load the new driver, just load it from Windows normally.

Baring all of that, someone will have an old video card to give you. I've ditched all my old PC stuff, but Microcenter in DTC will have some $20-40 cards that will do you just peachy.

All of this has been covered, but I didn't see where anyone was really being clear on how to do this task specifically.

I will give all this a shot tonight and see what I can come up with and report some reults

[Ridge]

If you continue to have trouble, let me know, bro. I can take it for a weekend or so and see what sort of magic I can do.

[sniper7]

This is a driver issue pure and simple. If you've got internet access, just go download the latest NVidia driver, boot into safe mode - When the system says Starting Windows hold the F8 key - start safe mode with networking, make sure you uninstall the old driver first, restart, go back into safe mode, load new driver, restart normally.

If you are not even seeing the start up "Boot" info... or unable to get into the BIOS (for Dell's it's typically F2 when the machine is first starting up), THEN you have a hardware issue.

Alternately, you can see if you can get into Windows after you've removed the driver from safe mode. You actually should be able to get the OS started on just the generic video driver. If you can, then you don't need to load back into safe mode to load the new driver, just load it from Windows normally.

Baring all of that, someone will have an old video card to give you. I've ditched all my old PC stuff, but Microcenter in DTC will have some $20-40 cards that will do you just peachy.

All of this has been covered, but I didn't see where anyone was really being clear on how to do this task specifically.

I am getting the "boot" screen. i now got F8 to work for me, i went into safe mode with networking, uninstalled the Nvidia drivers, I do have internet access, so i downloaded the latest one (I had it search my machine) and installed.

I just booted it back up in standard configuration and it is still kicking in an out of the black screen. it is definitely better than before since it will take me to the home screen and show my background and the icons, but it goes black, then shows it, then black again.

so I guess that means it is my video card. I am meeting with another member tomorrow so i think we will be able to get me back up and running. I am close, just don't know where the driver is located and what I need to take out and install etc...

I appreciate the help!

[sniper7]

If you continue to have trouble, let me know, bro. I can take it for a weekend or so and see what sort of magic I can do.

I am meeting a guy tomorrow from here and hopefully with his expertise, we can get the problem resolved, if not I will probably take you up on that offer and see what happens!

[Ridge]

I do have an extra video card lying around, as long as your computer supports PCI-e....

[hip55]

have you ever blown the dust & crud out of the CPU heatsink?

Overheating due to a clogged up heatsink/heatsink fan will call all kinds of issues.