Video card not running

[mystuffaintworking]

Ok so I installed a new video card into my computer but when I connect the monitor to the dvi slot using a VGA to dvi adaptor the monitor says no signal. When I connect the monitor to the motherboard it works fine but it uses the onboard video card. It is an hp pavilion a6157c with a core 2 duo 2.66 ghz, the video card I'm trying to use is a nvidia GeForce gts 450.

Edit: also I'm using vista home premium 32 bit

 

[nostall]

You probably have to go into the BIOS and disable the on-board graphics or select which graphics 'chip' you want to use. Do you know how to open the BIOS on that machine?

 

[mystuffaintworking]

You probably have to go into the BIOS and disable the on-board graphics or select which graphics 'chip' you want to use. Do you know how to open the BIOS on that machine?

I do not

 

[nostall]

O.k.
There are a couple ways to open the BIOS, depending upon whose motherboard HP installed in the PC.
Generally speaking, and you might need to do trial-and-error, you press Delete or F2 or F12 during the boot process and the BIOS will open.
Can you open the side of your case and post what the motherboard brand/model/etc. is: It is usually imprinted on the board.

 

[mystuffaintworking]

I have a p5lp-le motherboard

 

[nostall]

any brand name on it, such as ASUS, Intel, HP etc.
Never mind, I found it. Give me a little time, I will repost.
2nd update: Take a quick look at this link/manual. Look at the layout of the board and tell us if this is the mobo in your PC.
http://www.manualslib.com/manual/449087/Asus-Leonite-P5lp-Le.html?page=5#manual
3rd update: BEFORE you go into the BIOS and make changes, download the current WHQL drivers for the video card from Nvidia;
http://www.nvidia.com/download/driverResults.aspx/75996/en-us

Save the drivers to your desktop. You will need to install them once you get the card recognized.

 

[mystuffaintworking]

Thank you so much and that is my motherboard I'll download the drivers when I get home.

 

[nostall]

Cool. We are getting nearer our goal. The manual doesn't tell you how to get into the BIOS but I believe you press the Delete key during the very first part of powering up.
I will take a little time and see if I can find the exact category within the BIOS where the graphics choice is made.
1st update: doing a little google research I have found that not all newer video cards are compatable with your motherboard. some of this compatability can be taken care of with a BIOS update - a risky venture as a bad BIOS update, or Flash, can kill the motherboard.
I think it is worth trying to change the graphics setting, but there is a chance it won't work.

2nd and Major UPDATE: Please check out this link:
http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Audio-Video-Monitors/Pavilion-a6157c-GRAPHICS-CARD-UPGRADE-needed-What-is/td-p/1889355
This upgrade may not be possible or safe.
According to Nvidia the GTS 450 uses a Maximum of 106W (or ~ 9amps) of power and they recommend a minimum 400W power supply for a system with one of these cards, plus the psu should have at least one 6pin PCI-E (video card) power connector. This site recommends a minimum of 450W with 24amps on the +12V power rail:
http://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/power-requirements-for-graphics-cards
Keeping all this in mind you will need to determine if your old PC meets the minimum requirements.
If it does NOT and you proceed with the install you run the risk of blowing up your power supply and possibly your computer.

That link also gives a simple method, one that might not require changing anything in the BIOS afterall, so if you move forward with the install try the info in the link and see if you can get it working.

I am NOT trying to convince you to get a new PC, but it might be time to seriously consider doing so, especially if you want to game on it or do video/CAD work.
Please repost or private message me with what you want to do.

Power supply connections/connectors;
http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html