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pernikm

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pernikm

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August 9th, 2008 03:00

Inspiron 5150 video card upgrade incompatability problem?

I have purchased a 64 mb Nvidia Geforce 5200 video card to preplace my 32 mb ATI Radeon 9000 from Ebay.  When I install it the computer the screen stays blank, the computer beeps three times, one long then two short.  There are 3 LEDs near the reset button above the key board with symbols that look like pad locks.  The two lights with a 8 and an A light.  I can swap my 32 mb in and out and everything works.  Dell tech support says bad card...but I have bought two cards with the same problem and the seller says the one card I sent back tests ok.  My installation process went like this....

 

Down loaded Nvidia Geforce 5200 fx driver but did not install. 

uninstalled my ATI graphics driver

rebooted and verified VGA mode.

Powered down, removed battery, pressed "on" button, grounded myself.

removed the key board and EMI shield'

removed the 32 mb card

installed the 64 mb card with new conductive tape on memory chips

reaassembled and installed the battery

Attempted to turn the computer on and got the black LCD, three beeps, and two lit lights.

 

Swapped back in my 32 mb, reinstalled the driver and all works.

 

I talked to the Dell rep and he said an Nvidia was available for my machine and it was compatable with my mother board.

 

Is there some sublty that I am missing compatability wise or do I have to change some thing in the Bios etc?  I am running the old A01 Bios.

 

thanks

 

Karl

  • RRules

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    Posted August 16th, 2008 03:00

    I can almost guarantee you the problem is the bios. The A01 bios was in use when dell only offered the radeon 9000. The FX5200 became an option later on when later BIOS versions were used. Since dell laptops have the video BIOS as part of the regular BIOS you will need a newer version. If I remember from my FX5200 equipped 5150 I had A33. Give it a shot.