Compaq 5BW135 5000 series and PCI Video Card

[Tzefanyah]

Hello,

I recently purchased an inexpensive ATI Rage 128Pro 32MB PCI Video card for my Compaq 5BW135 5000 series computer. The only video is onboard for these machines so the only alternative is to purchase a PCI Video card. Since the RAM can only be expanded to 512MB I wanted to take the load off this since onboard video shares memory with your RAM.

The problem:
BIOS was set to turn off onboard video. When I turn on the machine it appears to go through its boot sequence, but there is absolutely no video - I have a blank screen. Right now I am dual booting with Ubuntu Linux. This is not a problem since everything works if the PCI video card is taken out. If this PCI video card is not compatible with my machine what can I get that will be? I would like to get a 3D graphics card.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

Tzefanyah

 

[Que]

Hi, besides turning off the internal video in bios, isn't there also an option to set video default between pci and agp? Just a guess. Tried the pci card in another computer?

 

[Tzefanyah]

Hello Que,

The version of BIOS I have does not include that feature. I plug in the card and then it automatically disables the onboard video, but it does NOT recognize the PCI card. If I had that selection, I am certain the card would work. Does anybody know of any work arounds to this?? 🙁 There has got be a PCI video card that will work in these machines. I cannot believe that you are unable to only use the onboard video. Please, I hope somebody is out there who can help me.

Thanks for trying.

Tzefanyah

 

[Que]

Does it install as a second videocard, and give picture then? Tried the video card in another machine? In different pci slots? Maybe see for a Rompaq biosupdate?