Graphics forum: Which updated driver to install?

Such can be had for less than what a new machine is today.

R. Proffitt,
Since the computer is 7 years old, I was hoping an updated driver would help the graphics rating of "1". Do you think that the upgrade to Windows 7 had an effect on the performance of the accelerator? There aren't a lot of games played on the computer, so going to the expense of adding a video card at this point to update the system for game playing would not be worth it. The system report is telling me that a score of "1" is a poor score for graphics. Games are not the only thing affected by a graphics score, so my thinking was that an updated driver might boost that to a "2", it would be beneficial. Thank you for your response and I would appreciate your advice on what would be best to do. At the time I upgraded the OS and recently the RAM, I didn't realize the computer was already that old.

It's been that long and you didn't find it. Intel did not publish the source for us to play with either.

It's the usual card I use when I don't want to change the power supply.

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Radeon-PCI-Express-Graphics-100292DDR3L/dp/B004N3BH0C/

That's 35 bucks to my door step and has all the usual video connections for a PCIe SLOT.


HOWEVER.
http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/5200Series/1008291/1008291nv.shtml shows only PCI so we have to step back to this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Sparkle-GeForce-8400GS-Graphics-SFPC84GS256U2LP/dp/B001G6QDLM/
About 40 bucks.
Bob

Thanks for doing all of that research for me and for the links to the websites with info. That is my computer on the support site. I installed my own RAM and upgraded the OS, but do you think it's possible for me to install the graphics card? I went to Amazon, where I do a lot of shopping to see what they look like and they look pretty complex. Of course, I would need to purchase the second one for $40. I am lucky that I have you to guide me as I wouldn't have known what card would be compatible with my system. Could you direct me to a website with instructions to review to determine if I am capable of doing this? Thanks again for your help. Since I have already invested in upgrading the computer to this point and if the computer can handle changing from an accelerator to a real graphics card and you believe I can do this, then I should do it. Your help is very much appreciated and I await your response.

But looking at page 17 of the user manual at http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/5200Series/1008291/1008291ul.shtml does not seem to be any different than most desktops.

In fact at this age you would be about ready for your sixth or seventh computer cleaning.
In case you forgot, here's a link about that.
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11319_7-6240575-1.html
Bob

Bob,
Were you looking at the actual page 17 or the 17th total pages in the 144 listing of pages? What were you trying to point out about that particular page? All information is helpful to me. Please elaborate.

I had a computer guy clean up the computer in March of 2010, but when I opened it up to insert the additional RAM updates a few days ago, I saw that it was pretty dusty in there. I know that static electricity is a problem, so I didn't do anything. I have cleaned up the monitor front and the keyboard. I will get some compressed air and get it cleaned up inside soon. I really didn't know that you could clean it up yourself, so thank you for the webpage. I have it saved in favorites.

Was the rear of the machine with easy to remove thumbscrews to get the cover off. After that you follow the install instructions with the card. I don't duplicate such here because one card is pretty much like the next and I don't have this card's instructions.
Bob

Bob,
I am amazed that someone would go to all of this trouble to help a stranger. I have just ordered the graphics card you had suggested and will take the plunge to upgrade my system. I hope that if I have any questions once I get it with their instructions for installation, that I can send you the questions. Although I have been doing more research on the installation of graphics cards and think that I will be able to do this. What I need to determine is the procedures to follow to disable the integrated controller in the motherboard and when to do it. Before or after installing the card. I expect it will be detailed in the instructions that come with the card. Thank you again for your help, it is greatly appreciated.

I know some try to do that but at worst I might have to change the BIOS setting to indicate to use the new card. The names change but I only look for Primary Video or something like that.
Bob

Bob,
Received the new graphics card today. After installing the card and booting up the computer, it could not start Windows. Went into the BIOS to disable the old integrated one. That didn't work. Still wouldn't start Windows. Used another computer we have in the house to do some searching online, found a forum that said to start the computer in safe mode and disable the old graphics in Device Manager. That worked. Seems to be working well. Thanks for finding one that would work with my old system. It should me last quite a while with the upgrades.

Bob and everyone who would like to help,
Just to refresh your memory. I have a Gateway 5200S computer from 2004.
I have upgraded the computer to Windows 7 32
bit, 3 GB RAM, and just installed Sparkle GeForce 8400
graphics card in PCI slot on motherboard. I disabled integrated
graphics in Device Manager using safe mode, when computer would not
automatically disable it upon installing card. But the computer keeps
telling me that there is a problem and it should be re-enabled. The new
graphics card is listed in the Device Manager, so it is recognized.
When I start the computer it starts with a black screen with system
details scrolling and it will start Windows this way. With Gateway no
longer supporting this computer, the only BIOS update on their website
is for an Augsburg motherboard which is not what I have. My BIOS
version is an EV91510A.15A.0123 from Sept. 2004. Would an update for
the BIOS solve all of these problems? How can I fix this so it will
start up the way it did before installing the graphics card? Hope you will have the answer to my dilemma. Thanks.