How to detect the graphics card

[mmcr]

I Have a Win XP SP2 that is just running the standard MS VGA driver for the
graphics card, which is very slow, but I don't have the drivers or even know
the make of the graphics card and when I try using the Add New Hardware
wizard windows can not detect it's make either.

What is the best approach to getting the correct drivers for this graphics
card?

Thx

Kevin

[Jim]

First identify the brand and model number of the card. Most brand name
manufactures use either NVIDIA or ATI.
Once you have determined this go to either NVIDIA's or ATI web site to
download the latest drivers for your card.

Jim

"mmcr" > wrote in message
...
>I Have a Win XP SP2 that is just running the standard MS VGA driver for the
> graphics card, which is very slow, but I don't have the drivers or even
> know
> the make of the graphics card and when I try using the Add New Hardware
> wizard windows can not detect it's make either.
>
> What is the best approach to getting the correct drivers for this graphics
> card?
>
> Thx
>
> Kevin

[Malke]

mmcr wrote:

> I Have a Win XP SP2 that is just running the standard MS VGA driver
> for the graphics card, which is very slow, but I don't have the
> drivers or even know the make of the graphics card and when I try
> using the Add New Hardware wizard windows can not detect it's make
> either.
>
> What is the best approach to getting the correct drivers for this
> graphics card?

To find out what hardware is in your computer:

1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.
2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific
model machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers
anyway)
3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc
Advisor. The older Aida32 is good for this, too.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor
http://www.aumha.org/free.htm - Aida32 (hosted on Jim Eshelman's site)

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows User/Shell
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"

[Bruce Chambers]

mmcr wrote:
> I Have a Win XP SP2 that is just running the standard MS VGA driver for the
> graphics card, which is very slow, but I don't have the drivers or even know
> the make of the graphics card and when I try using the Add New Hardware
> wizard windows can not detect it's make either.
>


1) Start > Run > MSinfo32.exe.

or

2) Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information

or

3) Start > Run > DXDiag.exe.

or

4) Right-click My Computer > Manage > Device Manager.

or

5) If none of the built-in tools provide the information you want, you
can use these utilities to help determine the answer to your question:

SiSoft's Sandra
http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/index.php?dir=&location=sware_dl&lang=en

Belarc Advisor
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Unlimited Possibilities' AIDA32
http://forum.aumha.org/overflow/aida32.zip

Lavalys' Everest Home
http://www.lavalys.com/products/overview.php?pid=1&lang=en

or

6) Look in the manual/documentation that came with the computer.


> What is the best approach to getting the correct drivers for this graphics
> card?
>


Re-install the most recent WinXP-specific video drivers, as
provided by your video adapter's manufacturer's web site.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

[[email protected]]

Malke wrote:
> mmcr wrote:
>
> > I Have a Win XP SP2 that is just running the standard MS VGA driver
> > for the graphics card, which is very slow, but I don't have the
> > drivers or even know the make of the graphics card and when I try
> > using the Add New Hardware wizard windows can not detect it's make
> > either.
> >
> > What is the best approach to getting the correct drivers for this
> > graphics card?
>
> To find out what hardware is in your computer:
>
> 1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.
> 2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific
> model machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers
> anyway)
> 3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc
> Advisor. The older Aida32 is good for this, too.
>
> http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor
> http://www.aumha.org/free.htm - Aida32 (hosted on Jim Eshelman's site)
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP Windows User/Shell
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic"

I've always liked the install random drivers till it works approach.

;-)