Comments on: How to Install a Video Card on a Computer

on 2/1/2008 Thank you so much for this article, and paul for adding that comment. Its so much better to learn how to figure out your own computer then it is to take it to someone else. This was extremely helpful. Just goes to show how technology is so awesome now a days that if you look in the right places in your own computer and in the internet you can teach yourself almost anything.

on 11/22/2005 Are you upgrading from the basic video that is built into your computer's motherboard? If you are trying to boost your performance by installing an after-market video card, you may need to disable the built-in video by changing the settings in your computer's BIOS (Basic Input Output System).

When your computer boots, it probably displays a message that says something similar to: Press F2 to enter "setup". This is how you get into the BIOS for your computer.

You can page through the BIOS and see the different settings you can change. If you are unfamiliar with making BIOS changes, follow two rules:
1. Write down the original setting BEFORE you make any change. That way you can undo what you did if it causes a problem.
2. Only make ONE change at a time. It's too hard to troubleshoot a problem if you make several changes at once.

Look for something that talks about Onboard video or built in video. Highlight that item and change it to "disabled" or "off".

Save the changes to the BIOS before exiting. Then reboot your computer. The new video card should work now.