Dell Dimension w/ 2400 PCI nVidia FX5200 Video Card

Posted just to detail the steps required to install a PCI nVidia
FX5200 video card in a Dell Dimension 2400 with onboard video. Much
was already commented on here:

--------------------------------------
How to Install a PCI Video Card in a Dell Dimension 2400

This is a brief explanation of how I got a PCI video card working in
my Dell Dimension 2400. Once I discovered the "secret", its very
simple procedure. There seems to be some confusion.

First, myth busting...

1. You are not upgrading the on-board video.
2. You are not replacing the on-board video.
3. You do not need to disable the on-board video.
4. You do not need to enter the system setup (BIOS).
5. You do not need to find a jumper on the mother board.
6. You do not need to update the BIOS.
7. And, most importantly, you DEFINITELY do not need to disable the
integrated display adapter in the Windows XP Device Manager. DO NOT
DO THIS!!!!

Here's reality...

1. You are installing a second display adapter in an empty PCI slot.
2. You are configuring a multiple display adapter and monitor system.
3. The Dell Dimension 2400 is set by default to handle multiple
display adapters and monitors.
4. The configuration is done in Windows XP not the BIOS.

My hardware and software is...

Dell Dimension 2400
XFX GeForce FX 5200 128MB PCI
Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Before installation...

By default, the Dell Dimension 2400 is setup to handle multiple
display adapters and monitors. There is no reason to enter the system
setup utility. For the curious, the Integrated Devices | Primary
Video Controller option is of concern here. It has two settings:
ONBOARD and AUTO. If the Primary Video Controller option is AUTO
(default), the POST and BIOS messages are displayed to the on-board
video, unless a PCI video card is present. Then, the messages are
displayed to the PCI video card instead. If the Primary Video
Controller option is ONBOARD, the POST and BIOS messages are displayed
to the on-board video only. THIS SETTING HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO
WITH DISABLING THE ON-BOARD VIDEO CONTROLLER!!!!

General instructions...

Follow the installation instructions for your PCI video card. If
possible, connect a monitor to each display adapter. This way, you
can see which display adapter is working and which one is not. Also,
this is how I discovered what was going on here. Once the hardware
and drivers are installed, it's time to configure Windows XP.

Use Control Panel | Display to configure Windows XP. I'll leave the
rest to Microsoft...

HOW TO: Configure and Use Multiple Monitors in Window XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...EN-US;307873#3

HOW TO: Change the Primary Monitor
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/h...c/en/default.a...

When finished, the video card software utility should work. All video
cards have some type of software utility. If it works, your done.
You now have a dandy, inexpensive home PC capable of playing the
latest games. Enjoy.

-----------------

However, there are a couple of important points that I wanted to
include based on personal experience.

You really have to use two monitors during the installation to make
this work.

When you first install the nVidia FX5200, you probably will NOT get
the Dell splash screen at all (out either video card/monitor). What I
experienced was that I got no video until the XP logon screen
appeared, and that video was via the onboard VGA card. During this
first boot with the FX5200 in place, install the GeForce drivers that
you've obtained from nVidia's web site.

Then reboot - change nothing else yet. You will still have no Dell
Splash screen when you reboot, and once again the first video you see
will be XP logon via VGA. Now, do NOT change the primary monitor as
outlined above yet - first, make all necessary changes to the FX5200
via the nVidia control panel, NOT the Windows Display control panel.
What I mean by necessary changes are to turn off the multiple monitor
functionality, and check all the tabs to be sure that you are setting
things up so that the FX5200 will be the only functioning card. I
don't remember the exact tabs, but it seemed self-explanatory to me.

Then you should use the above to change the primary monitor to your
FX5200/monitor combination.

Then you should disable your Intel 8245 onboard video controller in
the Device Manager.

Now when you reboot, you will get the Dell splash screen out the PCI
card and monitor, and things will function correctly.

Good Luck!

On 26 Feb 2007 13:00:15 -0800, Art Feagles wrote:

> Posted just to detail the steps required to install a PCI nVidia
> FX5200 video card in a Dell Dimension 2400 with onboard video. Much
> was already commented on here:
>
> --------------------------------------
> How to Install a PCI Video Card in a Dell Dimension 2400
>
> This is a brief explanation of how I got a PCI video card working in
> my Dell Dimension 2400. Once I discovered the "secret", its very
> simple procedure. There seems to be some confusion.
>
> First, myth busting...
>
> 1. You are not upgrading the on-board video.
> 2. You are not replacing the on-board video.
> 3. You do not need to disable the on-board video.
> 4. You do not need to enter the system setup (BIOS).
> 5. You do not need to find a jumper on the mother board.
> 6. You do not need to update the BIOS.
> 7. And, most importantly, you DEFINITELY do not need to disable the
> integrated display adapter in the Windows XP Device Manager. DO NOT
> DO THIS!!!!
>
> Here's reality...
>
> 1. You are installing a second display adapter in an empty PCI slot.
> 2. You are configuring a multiple display adapter and monitor system.
> 3. The Dell Dimension 2400 is set by default to handle multiple
> display adapters and monitors.
> 4. The configuration is done in Windows XP not the BIOS.
>
> My hardware and software is...
>
> Dell Dimension 2400
> XFX GeForce FX 5200 128MB PCI
> Microsoft Windows XP Professional
>
> Before installation...
>
> By default, the Dell Dimension 2400 is setup to handle multiple
> display adapters and monitors. There is no reason to enter the system
> setup utility. For the curious, the Integrated Devices | Primary
> Video Controller option is of concern here. It has two settings:
> ONBOARD and AUTO. If the Primary Video Controller option is AUTO
> (default), the POST and BIOS messages are displayed to the on-board
> video, unless a PCI video card is present. Then, the messages are
> displayed to the PCI video card instead. If the Primary Video
> Controller option is ONBOARD, the POST and BIOS messages are displayed
> to the on-board video only. THIS SETTING HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO
> WITH DISABLING THE ON-BOARD VIDEO CONTROLLER!!!!
>
> General instructions...
>
> Follow the installation instructions for your PCI video card. If
> possible, connect a monitor to each display adapter. This way, you
> can see which display adapter is working and which one is not. Also,
> this is how I discovered what was going on here. Once the hardware
> and drivers are installed, it's time to configure Windows XP.
>
> Use Control Panel | Display to configure Windows XP. I'll leave the
> rest to Microsoft...
>
> HOW TO: Configure and Use Multiple Monitors in Window XP
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...EN-US;307873#3
>
> HOW TO: Change the Primary Monitor
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/h...c/en/default.a...
>
> When finished, the video card software utility should work. All video
> cards have some type of software utility. If it works, your done.
> You now have a dandy, inexpensive home PC capable of playing the
> latest games. Enjoy.
>
> -----------------
>
> However, there are a couple of important points that I wanted to
> include based on personal experience.
>
> You really have to use two monitors during the installation to make
> this work.
>
> When you first install the nVidia FX5200, you probably will NOT get
> the Dell splash screen at all (out either video card/monitor). What I
> experienced was that I got no video until the XP logon screen
> appeared, and that video was via the onboard VGA card. During this
> first boot with the FX5200 in place, install the GeForce drivers that
> you've obtained from nVidia's web site.
>
> Then reboot - change nothing else yet. You will still have no Dell
> Splash screen when you reboot, and once again the first video you see
> will be XP logon via VGA. Now, do NOT change the primary monitor as
> outlined above yet - first, make all necessary changes to the FX5200
> via the nVidia control panel, NOT the Windows Display control panel.
> What I mean by necessary changes are to turn off the multiple monitor
> functionality, and check all the tabs to be sure that you are setting
> things up so that the FX5200 will be the only functioning card. I
> don't remember the exact tabs, but it seemed self-explanatory to me.
>
> Then you should use the above to change the primary monitor to your
> FX5200/monitor combination.
>
> Then you should disable your Intel 8245 onboard video controller in
> the Device Manager.
>
> Now when you reboot, you will get the Dell splash screen out the PCI
> card and monitor, and things will function correctly.
>
> Good Luck!

Can you even find a PCI video card anymore?

Patty

"Patty" <> wrote in message
news:1iurk9ccet061.lfr4szc1v2n$....

> Can you even find a PCI video card anymore?
>
> Patty

Sure, the FX5200 and 5500 are pretty common. I have the 5500 in my 2400

"Art Feagles" <> wrote in message
news: oups.com...

<snip>

> When finished, the video card software utility should work. All video
> cards have some type of software utility. If it works, your done.
> You now have a dandy, inexpensive home PC capable of playing the
> latest games. Enjoy.
>

<snip>


Some good points and information in this post.

However, if I'm planning on actively playing DOOMIII, or FEAR, or even newer
and more demanding games I wouldn't count on a Dimension 2400 to effectively
deliver on that experience with full eye-candy enabled and hoping for
outstanding frame rates within the game.

Particularly those with a Celeron processor. And a PCI video adapter.

Generally, "inexpensive" and "gaming" do not belong together in the same
sentence.

jmo.

-Stew

On Feb 26, 1:49 pm, Patty <p...@iainttellin.com> wrote:
> On 26 Feb 2007 13:00:15 -0800, Art Feagles wrote:
>
>
>
> > Posted just to detail the steps required to install a PCI nVidia
> > FX5200 video card in a Dell Dimension 2400 with onboard video. Much
> > was already commented on here:
>
> > --------------------------------------
> > How to Install a PCI Video Card in a Dell Dimension 2400
>
> > This is a brief explanation of how I got a PCI video card working in
> > my Dell Dimension 2400. Once I discovered the "secret", its very
> > simple procedure. There seems to be some confusion.
>
> > First, myth busting...
>
> > 1. You are not upgrading the on-board video.
> > 2. You are not replacing the on-board video.
> > 3. You do not need to disable the on-board video.
> > 4. You do not need to enter the system setup (BIOS).
> > 5. You do not need to find a jumper on the mother board.
> > 6. You do not need to update the BIOS.
> > 7. And, most importantly, you DEFINITELY do not need to disable the
> > integrated display adapter in the Windows XP Device Manager. DO NOT
> > DO THIS!!!!
>
> > Here's reality...
>
> > 1. You are installing a second display adapter in an empty PCI slot.
> > 2. You are configuring a multiple display adapter and monitor system.
> > 3. The Dell Dimension 2400 is set by default to handle multiple
> > display adapters and monitors.
> > 4. The configuration is done in Windows XP not the BIOS.
>
> > My hardware and software is...
>
> > Dell Dimension 2400
> > XFX GeForce FX 5200 128MB PCI
> > Microsoft Windows XP Professional
>
> > Before installation...
>
> > By default, the Dell Dimension 2400 is setup to handle multiple
> > display adapters and monitors. There is no reason to enter the system
> > setup utility. For the curious, the Integrated Devices | Primary
> > Video Controller option is of concern here. It has two settings:
> > ONBOARD and AUTO. If the Primary Video Controller option is AUTO
> > (default), the POST and BIOS messages are displayed to the on-board
> > video, unless a PCI video card is present. Then, the messages are
> > displayed to the PCI video card instead. If the Primary Video
> > Controller option is ONBOARD, the POST and BIOS messages are displayed
> > to the on-board video only. THIS SETTING HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO
> > WITH DISABLING THE ON-BOARD VIDEO CONTROLLER!!!!
>
> > General instructions...
>
> > Follow the installation instructions for your PCI video card. If
> > possible, connect a monitor to each display adapter. This way, you
> > can see which display adapter is working and which one is not. Also,
> > this is how I discovered what was going on here. Once the hardware
> > and drivers are installed, it's time to configure Windows XP.
>
> > Use Control Panel | Display to configure Windows XP. I'll leave the
> > rest to Microsoft...
>
> > HOW TO: Configure and Use Multiple Monitors in Window XP
> >http://support.microsoft.com/default...EN-US;307873#3
>
> > HOW TO: Change the Primary Monitor
> >http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/h...c/en/default.a...
>
> > When finished, the video card software utility should work. All video
> > cards have some type of software utility. If it works, your done.
> > You now have a dandy, inexpensive home PC capable of playing the
> > latest games. Enjoy.
>
> > -----------------
>
> > However, there are a couple of important points that I wanted to
> > include based on personal experience.
>
> > You really have to use two monitors during the installation to make
> > this work.
>
> > When you first install the nVidia FX5200, you probably will NOT get
> > the Dell splash screen at all (out either video card/monitor). What I
> > experienced was that I got no video until the XP logon screen
> > appeared, and that video was via the onboard VGA card. During this
> > first boot with the FX5200 in place, install the GeForce drivers that
> > you've obtained from nVidia's web site.
>
> > Then reboot - change nothing else yet. You will still have no Dell
> > Splash screen when you reboot, and once again the first video you see
> > will be XP logon via VGA. Now, do NOT change the primary monitor as
> > outlined above yet - first, make all necessary changes to the FX5200
> > via the nVidia control panel, NOT the Windows Display control panel.
> > What I mean by necessary changes are to turn off the multiple monitor
> > functionality, and check all the tabs to be sure that you are setting
> > things up so that the FX5200 will be the only functioning card. I
> > don't remember the exact tabs, but it seemed self-explanatory to me.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SubCategory=48

Lots of 'em

>
> > Then you should use the above to change the primary monitor to your
> > FX5200/monitor combination.
>
> > Then you should disable your Intel 8245 onboard video controller in
> > the Device Manager.
>
> > Now when you reboot, you will get the Dell splash screen out the PCI
> > card and monitor, and things will function correctly.
>
> > Good Luck!
>
> Can you even find a PCI video card anymore?
>
> Patty

> Particularly those with a Celeron processor. And a PCI video adapter.
>
> Generally, "inexpensive" and "gaming" do not belong together in the same
> sentence.
>
> jmo.
>
> -Stew

Yea, those weren't my words, but were taken from a previous post
(http://tinyurl.com/2m4mh5). I did not take the time to thoroughly
edit the previous post, and included it for context.

However, I think that when that post was written, that computer could
have played most of the latest games fairly well (with the FX 5200).