Suitable Graphics Card

[trystan]

I've found this thread that might be useful:

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_video&message.id=108582

[earley-bird]

excellent Trystan that should help a lot.
Its a step by step which would apply to any pc gfx card upgrade.
I suspect  the bios setting hasn't been changed nor the previous gfx adaptor drivers removed in Victoria's Dell  Some early mobo's had a jumper for de-/selecting onboard gfx

[RJ_Paton]

Hopefully it is just a settings problem for Victoria ...... (the original problem was that the connector broke and a small section remained attached within the connection to the motherboard).

[earley-bird]

Yes I had forgotten about that .It could be producing a short circuit . It really needs to go to someone with experience as usually more damage can be done `fiddling' albeit with the best of intentions. It would be a shame if the hard drive data was lost.

[VICTORIA]

Victoria,

I mentioned it before on the older thread, but it may well be worth somebody just soldering a new svga socket to replace the damaged one on your computer. It would only take a few  minutes. It's cheaper than buying a new PC.

Trystan

If I took pc to an engineer would I be able to just ask for this svga socket to be installed ? I had a look at website you mentiond too o. t. t for me to understand.
I am getting dishardend I feel at the end of the day I will have to get a new pc. The problem is I only want the `tower` most come as a package dont know where to get single item Victoria

[earley-bird]

Victoria
don't dispair.
there are lots of places I can give you a link to to buy a barebones system. This is what you need not a tower which is really usually an empty case with a power supply.
A barebone system is one that includes a motherboard often graphics, modem  and sound built in .
You then just transfer the memory hard drive and dvd drive etc from the dell. They typically start at about £ 100.00 for a reasonable pentium 4  system

I have tried to explain that this is not something a well meaning `friend' or your grandson can do .If it was that easy PC world would not be charging £50.00 per hour and have a que out the door.!

You need the help of someone who is experienced and  builds computers every day as a hobby or for a living.

I have offered my help free for nearly a month but neither you or your grandson has telephoned me . I cannot help you if you don't get in touch.

You have to trust someone sometime to give you trustworthy advice or you will never get your pc working again.

[earley-bird]

Here are a few samples of complete barebone systems.
Some will need a processor but at this price thats not a prohibitive cost.

They are all mini cube systems which save space and are kindda cute.

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?ProductID=7005

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=5339&GroupID=87

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=7818&GroupID=85

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=8779&GroupID=592

[VICTORIA]

Thanks for your help. Sorry for not ringing you this is because I have not decided on cause of action to take. I have 2 grandson`s who have been trying to help me.
If I were to get barebones system as you suggested I would then have to wait until my more pc minded grandson ( Nick ) were able to visit me. I dont see him all that often as he works unsocial hours and is not always available when he is home. I will get back to you when I see him and have a talk. Again my apoligies
Victoria

[earley-bird]

please don't apologise Victoria its me that got a bit impatient I guess. The trouble is you are getting too much conflicting advice I guess and you don't know which way to turn.

Your easiest option may be  to take the tower to the nearest TV repair shop and ask them to  re-solder the socket on the motherboard.
If you need a new socket  I am sure I or others on here can send you one. It should only cost £10- £15.00 or so. No guarentee it will work of course but a cheap option to try.