Problems with 8600GT on an E520

[SilverBird2000]

Hi all I am brand new to this forum but figured I would try asking for help here as the few other places I've looked haven't been any help.

Basically having troubles with my Dell E520:

Pentium 4 @ 3.06 GHz
1 GB RAM 533 MHz
updated BIOS
80 GB HD

I Didn't order the E520 with a vid card so this is the first attempt. It does have an intel graphics accelerator.

Attempting to install: XFX 8600 GT 512 MB DDR2 TV DVI PCI-E

I realize that this platform isn't a great gaming platform but I just wanted to play some C&C 3 here and there while I'm saving up money for a system that was meant to play games. According to everything I've read this card should work and I should be able to play this game. I will upgrade to 3 GB RAM soon.

So installed following XFX instruction and failed.

XFX said to reinstall after running driver cleaner with updated drivers from their site.

System crashed when attempting to watch DVDs or play C&C 3

Nice guy on Dell forum had me delete all display adaptors from device manager and reinstall.

Still doesn't work and again blue screen error:

"A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer

The problem seems to be caused by the following file: nv4_disp

The device driver got stuck in an infinite loop. This usually indicates problem with the device itself or with the device driver programming the hardware incorrectly

Please check with your hardware device vendor for any driver updates.

Tech Info:

stop: 0x000000EA (0x85644020, 0x85A074A0, 0xF7A83CBC, 0x00000001)

Dumping memory, etc. "


This is where my machine sits now: Updated nvidia drivers from XFX, 8600 GT card in, intel graphics accelerator removed by uninstalling from display adaptors. Works great until I try to watch a DVD or play C&C 3.


Also had a question after reading lots of forums... in BIOS do I need to change video setting to AUTO or ONBOARD/PEG? Everyone seems to have their own opinion on that one.


I've always wanted to get into computers and this is my first attempt so I just know some basics. Maybe I'm just doing something really dumb that I overlooked on my end. I appreciate all your support.


Thank you!

[srpeters18]

I don't like auto settings. First off, uninstall all graphics drivers first, then I would get into the onboard/peg menu and make sure onboard is disabled and PEG is enabled. Then when you boot into Windows, install your drivers for the 8600GT. Let us know how it works out!

[SilverBird2000]

Thanks for your response!

http://www.dellcommunity.com/i/p.gif
uninstalled nvidia drivers again, uninstalled adaptors, went into safe mode and started driver cleaner pro and cleaned about 5 times with nvidia, then reinstalled with updated nvidia drivers from xfx.


Went into BIOS and changed from "auto" to "onboard/peg". Those are my two options, there was not a "peg" option.


Doing all this C&C 3 finally started but it was having trouble. Graphics were flickering etc. I went to change graphics setting from high (which is how it came) to low and it crashed. Won't start up again and I get an error message: not enough memory available. Guess I'll upgrade to 3 gigs of ram from 1. I was going to upgrade anyways, but it's strange as game requires half of what I have.


So I guess I'm asking if I should do the RAM update or maybe I'm missing something else.


Thanks again!

[Goliath182]

Yea you should get another gig of ram. You dont really need 3 gigs 2 gigs will do fine in C&C 3.

[SilverBird2000]

Ok thanks for the reply, I'll update when I up the ram if I have any more problems.

[XFX Tech]

The Sonic Codecs that come with Dell machines seem to not play well lately. I don't know if they need an update or what is the cause. Go to Control Panel>Add\Remove Programs and uninstall Sonic Advanced Decoder and Sonic Cineplayer. If you don't have another codec you can download KLite which is a free codec and use Windows Media Player to watch DVDs. It could be memory that is causing the C&C crashes. That game is a huge memory hog. The Sonic Codec is almost certainly what is causing the crashes with DVDs.

[SilverBird2000]

Thanks again for the help, I upgraded to 3 gigs of 800MHz Ram and that fixed the problem. 800 was actually cheaper than 667 so that's what I got (30 bucks a stick), not sure if my machine will run 800 been told yes and no. Whatever it runs, it made all the difference.

I appreciate your help!

One more thing, I won't be putting any more money into this machine and I want something around the $5K mark... Is Alienware a good choice or Voodoo or... would actually really like to someday build my own.

Thanks again.

[srpeters18]

I have been building my own systems for years, and I'm trying to start earning money doing it. If you would like someone to build one for you, you could go top of the line and go much less than $5000. If you PM me we can talk. BTW Alienware is owned by Dell now, so...