Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Is a Graphics Card upgrade adviseable?

by 2derby Nov 1, 2007 5:36AM PDT

I'm running an HP Pavilion Media Center m470n purchased about 3 years ago. I've experienced some "lock-ups" when looking at Google-Earth and occassionally the TV Media Center view will cause a lock-up, other than that most things seem to function fairly well. I don't do gaming, but my son has mentioned some lock-up on occasion with some game stuff. This causes me to wonder if a graphics card upgrade wouldn't be adviseable. The present graphics card info shows Radeon 9200, and also a "secondary" when I look at the advanced systems information. Apparently there is a vacant PCI slot available. I've never upgraded graphics cards - memory yes, but not graphics. I have used "video capture" from analog on occassion and want to be able to continue that with any upgrade I might do. I'd like your recommendations, if you have any? Thanks!

Discussion is locked

11 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Perhaps not
by Dango517 Nov 1, 2007 5:55AM PDT

I'd suspect heat as being the problem. Short term intermittent crashes usually mean your CPU is over heating. Are the fans running when this happens? You might wish to down load this software to get an indication of your systems operating temperatures:

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

Can you provide more detailed information concerning your graphics card/chip set this information can be found in device manager. start> control panel> administrative tools> computer management> device manager> click on display adapter. Write down the information provided and post it here. Also provide your OS information (example: XP Professional SP2, etc.).

- Collapse -
Control Panel Info & OS Note
by 2derby Nov 1, 2007 10:57AM PDT

Dango517, thanks for your thoughts and suggestions. Detailed info from control panel in device manager lists: Radeon 9200 and Radeon 9200-secondary. With regard to OS, I think it is Windows XP Professional (OS came on the computer and I've not changed it - it is a Pavilion Media Center m470n).

- Collapse -
FYI and ATI driver
by Dango517 Nov 1, 2007 9:06PM PDT

General information about your computer

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?docname=c00058237&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

Driver (this is weird. You have a Asus board with an intel CPU yet you go to ADM to download an ATI driver) Your Radeon 9200 is by ATI. It is still unclear but I believe this is a chipset. You only have one PCI slot remaining, any graphics card you would wish to upgrade too would have to be PCI (not PCIe) compatible. I'd say use an ATI card to avoid possible compatibility issues. In other words, stick to what you have.

Down loading this software should make your driver current.

Download the optional item as well.

http://ati.amd.com/support/drivers/xp/radeon-prer300-xp.html

Do this, report back.

General comments: Your PC is approximately 3-4 years old You might wish to get a graphics card and additional RAM to keep it up to date. Replace it in 2-3 more years. Bookmark both of these resources I have provided for you. Print out the general specifications and take it shopping with you. Show it to the salesman. I'd suggest CompUSA, if available.

- Collapse -
Yep, it appears it was a "Driver" Problem - Thanks so much!
by 2derby Nov 1, 2007 11:51PM PDT

You guys are great! Thanks Dango & Steven! Both of your comments and suggestions were "right on" in lots of ways. I also went to HP Tech Assist for help (as you suggested) and just as y'all (and they) suggested I first updated the "graphics driver" for the Radeon 9200 graphics card. That seems to have resolved the problem as last night following that I was able to enjoy a good long look at "Google Earth" and "Google Sky", which before was only a preliminary "sight-see opportunity" before the computer locked up. Last night there was no lockup and everything ran smooth as silk following the driver update. I had also recently done a memory upgrade (now running 1.5 gb RAM) and did a thorough blow-out/cleaning, so things should be running cooler too as the insides were pretty dirty when I cleaned it. Thanks again, guys - you're great!

- Collapse -
Steve you do good work
by Dango517 Nov 1, 2007 11:58PM PDT
Wink You really helped this guy out, at a boy Cool .
- Collapse -
You might want to repost this in another forum
by Steven Haninger Nov 1, 2007 10:28AM PDT

The computer help and hardware forums might fit your request better. Lockups can be caused by many things. Hardware and driver issues are common causes. You might want to check the event log for clues. The next time you experience a lockup and need to restart the PC, check the event log for any clues. They will be time stamped right before you restart the PC. I believe that graphics card might have both a digital and an analog port. As such, that would account for the secondary instance you noted. I'd definitely make sure the driver was current. AMD now handles the Radeon line. Check for the most recent driver on their web site. All my current cards are Radeons and they would occasionally put out a buggy driver. I had one that caused continuous reboots until I rolled back to an older driver. They fixed it later. But, if you suspect a graphics card issue, do make sure the driver is current. I'd still recommend moving this topic to a hardware or computer help forum. Good luck.

- Collapse -
More on Lockups
by 2derby Nov 1, 2007 11:02AM PDT

Steven, thanks for your suggestions. Sometimes I think I know just enough to be "dangerous". Lockups have been rather rare, but only when on graphics intensive stuff like "Google-Earth". Sorry I've got to go right now...more later.

- Collapse -
Does this look familiar?
by Steven Haninger Nov 1, 2007 10:02PM PDT
http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/hp-pavilion-media-center/4507-3118_7-30789417.html?tag=sub

It does show the ATI Radeon 9200. I don't think this is a motherboard integrated video controller but you'd need to check. These...I'm fairly sure...offered both analog and digital outputs. Check the back of your machine to see if you have both. This would...as I mentioned...account for the second instance of the video card. It's also possible that the driver is one offered by MS during an on line update process. These aren't always best. Check the driver date and make sure it's from Radeon. If not, go to the AMD site and get the Radeon 9200 driver. It might be considered a legacy or older product now. AMD took over ATI a while back and they've done, IMO, a decent job of support for the Radeon line. Next, and quite importantly, I note this machine shows a 200 watt PS. This is a potential issue itself. I'd do my best to see if a higher wattage supply can be used in this machine. I'd say 350 is adequate but others might recommend even more. Good luck again.
- Collapse -
Ditto on power supply
by Dango517 Nov 1, 2007 10:22PM PDT

This is the very low end of Power Supply range. Go 500 watts on the PS, not much price difference here. Better to over do it then cut yourself short. This could also cut off your getting a new graphics card at all. No power, no card. I think you need to open the tower up and look inside. Does it have a graphics card and what CPU socket does it have? These questions need to be answered. If this seems overwhelming it isn't but you might wish to take it in for service. That's your call. RAM $30.00-$60.00, PS $40.00-$75.00, Graphics card $75.00-$125.00 or $125.00-$260.00 total cost plus labor. New computer $700.00 to start.

- Collapse -
About CPU sockets
by Dango517 Nov 1, 2007 11:06PM PDT
- Collapse -
478 heat sink retention module on mother baord (example)
by Dango517 Nov 1, 2007 11:19PM PDT
Back to Audio & Video Software forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info