At work, we have an older Dell Dimenstion 8100 (P4 1.7 or something similar). Inside, we have an AGP Video card that came with the machine, 2 PCI cards for security cameras, and an 802.11b wireless card. In the one extra PCI slot left I'm trying to install a cheapy ATI Rage 128mb card to run a projector part time.

Of course the actual install is easy, but when I go to boot with both cards installed, I get no video from either card. As far as I can tell, the system has the latest BIOS installed.

Any ideas?

 

The BIOS does not know which card to use to boot up on. It depends on the BIOS if it is possible, also some cards don't work well together. Is there a video out on the motherboard? If so you can try using that in conjunction with the AGP card.

That's option one.

Option two is to look through BIOS and look to see if there are any video options to change, not all do.

If it's necessary for this to work, purchase a new AGP card that has the necessary 2 outputs on it, or purchase a Matrox Dual Head device.

 

In my experience, getting an AGP and a PCI video card to work together on the same motherboard is more trouble than it's worth, if it's even possible. I've seen dual PCI cards, and dual PCI-X cards, but never AGP + PCI. I would go along with Li_runner's option 2, get a new AGP card. They are pretty cheap now with PCI-X out.

 

The only agp and pci cards that I ever got to work as a set were a VooDoo GFX 5 5500 and 2 VooDoo II 12mg's. Most cards do not play well together.

 

PCI-X is old... PCI express is what SLi and Crossfire dual cards are using

 

I'll admit, I'm pretty lost when it comes to this stuff. Having a hard time dropping $100 on a dual link video card for an older computer when I can get a brand new one for only a few hundred more.

So we're pretty certain that I can't make this work?

 

Not gonna happen. Go buy a $50 video card at your local computer store that has dvi\vga out. Its the only way you are gonna make this happen.

The motherboard doesnt understand how to use video cards... esp since it would have to send the signal to two diffrent busses. AGP runs straight to the north bridge while PCI goes through your southbridge... just wont work.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143089

That card will replace your current AGP card.. it will perform much better and its $49.99-$10 mail in rebate. Also has free shipping. That should take care of your needs!

good luck!

 

Alright guys...I'm determined to NOT drop another penny into this project.

I have another machine...another Dell. It has onboard video. What are the chances of this card working with that?