Maart 01, 2010
Loose adapters in AGP slots are often the culprits for video problems. Retention clips that retrofit to most AGP slots were introduced to hold them in place. Figuur 8.3 shows an AGP retention clip in place. If a PC with this type of AGP slot loses its video for no apparent reason, try a retention clip. The video adapter you use must have a notched tab to work with the retention clip.
Figure 8.3: AGP retention clip.
Dot Pitch
Dot pitch is a measurement of how close the picture elements are to one another. The closer they are, the higher the resolution can be, so the lower the number, the better. Cheap monitors have larger dot pitches and are harder on users’ eyes. Select .028 mm or lower.
Testing Displays
There are a few ways to test monitors. DisplayMate? (displaymate.com) offers testing utilities and hardware for any type of video display. They have products for end users, technical users, and advanced users. If you plan to test monitors, their products are definitely appropriate.
General computer testing utilities, such as products from PC Certify and Micro-2000, and even some products that are released by computer makers also include video tests. Zie hoofdstuk 11 for more on general diagnostic products.
Monitor Installation
In the vast majority of cases, monitors need only to be plugged into the video adapter outputs, be they SVGA or DVI. Some monitors are recognized and installed automatically by Windows. In some situations, Windows will need a driver in order for the monitor to display more than base video. This is most likely to happen with an older version of Windows, or a monitor that uses new technology.
door : Boek-PC Reparatie en Onderhoud: Een praktische gids
Februari 23, 2010
Video adapters are removed and installed similarly to other expansion cards. AGP slots might have optional retention clips to hold them in place (retention clips are covered later in this chapter).
To upgrade a video driver, go to Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel and uninstall the drivers, if present. If prompted to restart the computer, say No, and shut down instead. Remove the existing video card and install the new one, following the manufacturer’s directions exactly. For onboard video, follow the same instructions, obviously omitting the step of removing the video card. Install the new card, start the computer, and go into the BIOS and look for a setting to disable onboard video. If there is such a setting, disable it. Dan, finish booting the computer to test the new video.
Video chipset maker nVidia? (nvidia.com) provides a single set of drivers, called Detonator?, which will work with any card with an nVidia chipset, regardless of the card’s manufacturer. ATI (atitech.com) has a similar driver set called Catalyst?, although it doesn’t cover all ATI chip cards.
door : Boek-PC Reparatie en Onderhoud: Een praktische gids
Februari 14, 2010
Many computers come with video built into the motherboard. However, many motherboards don’t have built-in video, and some that do also have AGP slots for additional or replacement video adapters. There are also PCI video adapters available, although PCI isn’t considered the best interface for video. There are several reasons to use separate video adapters:
- Users may want better video performance than their motherboard provides.
- If built-in video fails or is troublesome, it can be disabled in the BIOS and an expansion card used.
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Nota |
Sometimes, inserting an expansion video card automatically disables built-in video in the BIOS. |
- Users might need to use two or more monitors simultaneously, and multiple adapters or a specially designed video adapter is necessary for two or more monitors. Recent Windows versions support multiple monitors for different purposes, including having all monitors show the same screen, having one screen spread across more than one monitor, or even having a different screen on each monitor. For more information on multiple monitors in Windows XP, search Windows XP’s Help and Support for “multiple monitors.”
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Nota |
Dualview in XP is similar to multiple monitors, but works with laptop/notebook computers. With Dualview, the laptop’s built-in screen is the primary monitor, and a monitor that the user attaches to the external VGA port is the secondary monitor. For more information on Dualview, search for it in XP’s Help and Support. |
there are also DVO header connectors for DVI digital video adapters in some motherboards, and built-in DVI ports in others. As of the time of this writing, most PC motherboards have either built-in VGA ports or AGP slots for VGA video cards. Digital video capability might or might not be present.
door : Boek-PC Reparatie en Onderhoud: Een praktische gids
