Help? With Dell 2350

BZAvatar

Junior Member
Jan 28, 2008
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I have a Dell 2350 that's had the video connector physically ripped from the motherboard. Strangely enough and against all common sense I've found several posts over the years with the exact same situation, but no real resolution. I'm not thinking they used the strongest connector possible...

From what I've read on the Dell forums it seems that Dell doesn't understand how to set up a BIOS properly, as even patched to A02 the default for video is 'onboard' rather than 'auto'. To me this is backwards, as it should check for a card and default to the onboard if not found, but then I don't program BIOS's so hey... All I really know is that the replacement PCI Radeon card is being ignored completely.

I've hunted and pecked my way blindly around the bios using what little instruction I can find to no avail...

I'm hoping some kind soul here can detail the bios steps to switch the onboard video from 'onboard' to 'auto'. According to Dell it's in Advanced/Video, so it should be something like F2, Right Arrow, Down Down Down Down, Enter, PGUP, Enter, F10, Enter, but it's not that as I've tried it... :)

*sigh* Don't you just love computers?

-Av-

 

SmoochyTX

Lifer
Apr 19, 2003
13,615
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Originally posted by: BZAvatar
I have a Dell 2350 that's had the video connector physically ripped from the motherboard. Strangely enough and against all common sense I've found several posts over the years with the exact same situation, but no real resolution. I'm not thinking they used the strongest connector possible...

From what I've read on the Dell forums it seems that Dell doesn't understand how to set up a BIOS properly, as even patched to A02 the default for video is 'onboard' rather than 'auto'. To me this is backwards, as it should check for a card and default to the onboard if not found, but then I don't program BIOS's so hey... All I really know is that the replacement PCI Radeon card is being ignored completely.

I've hunted and pecked my way blindly around the bios using what little instruction I can find to no avail...

I'm hoping some kind soul here can detail the bios steps to switch the onboard video from 'onboard' to 'auto'. According to Dell it's in Advanced/Video, so it should be something like F2, Right Arrow, Down Down Down Down, Enter, PGUP, Enter, F10, Enter, but it's not that as I've tried it... :)

*sigh* Don't you just love computers?

-Av-
I had a 2350 back in the day and below is how I installed the PCI video card. Mind you, the BIOS I had at the time was A01. They're also really basic so that anybody regardless of skill level could follow them. Hope it helps.

Following are the steps I took to successfully install the VisionTek Xtasy 9100 128MB PCI video card.

1. Disable integrated graphics. (Start - Right click on My Computer - Properties. In the System Properties menu, go to the Hardware tab. Click on Device Manager. Double click on Display Adapters. Double click on Intel(R)82845G.....controller. On the General Tab, disable the device.)

It will prompt you to restart your computer. Power off your computer instead.

2. Install the PCI card. (Turn off your surge protector unplug all of your computer hardware from it. Unplug the power source from the back of the computer. Remove the case and place the computer on its side. Install the PCI card. Put the case back on the computer. Plug everything back into the surge protector and plug the power source back into the back of the computer.

**** Important - Unplug your monitor from the integrated graphics on the back of your computer and plug it into the PCI card that is now installed. ****

3. Turn on your surge protector and power up your computer.

4. Change BIOS settings from integrated to PCI. (At the Dell logo screen, press F2 to go into your BIOS. If you were not quick enough on this start just power down and try again. Right arrow over to the Advanced tab. Arrow down to Peripheral Configuration. Press Enter. Arrow down to Primary Video Adapter. Press Enter. Arrow up to choose PCI. Press Enter. Press ESC. Right arrow over to Exit. Exit Saving Changes. 'Y' for Yes.)

Your computer should now be starting up. Your desktop will look strange because the screen resolution settings have been lowered. Leave that alone for now.

The 'Found New Hardware' wizard will appear. If you are on XP, click Cancel.

5. Insert the VisionTek CD that came with the card into your CD or DVD drive. If the program starts after putting it in the drive, just follow the directions onscreen to install. If the program does not start up, then go to Start - Run - choose the drive your CD is in - find the Setup file and run it. (I chose the Express install which installs the ATI Display Driver, ATI Control Panel, Hydravision, and DirectX 9.0. The Custom installation will allow you to deselect any of the options except for the Display Driver. According to the FAQ's on this card, you do NOT need to install the ATI Control Panel and Hydravision for the card to work properly. Those are programs that add extra options for you but are not necessary for functionality.)

After installation is complete, you will be asked if you want to restart your computer now or restart later. Restart your computer now.

After restarting, you can change your resolution settings to where you would like them to be. You can also check the box on the ATI Control Panel to keep it from popping up on every restart (which I did...LOL).
 

BZAvatar

Junior Member
Jan 28, 2008
6
0
0
Thanks, and A01 is where they added the ability to switch to 'auto' that gives me my tiny sliver of hope. The 2350 here is actually an A02 machine so I know it's there... it's where the exact entries are that's got me...

4. Change BIOS settings from integrated to PCI. (At the Dell logo screen, press F2 to go into your BIOS. If you were not quick enough on this start just power down and try again. Right arrow over to the Advanced tab. Arrow down to Peripheral Configuration. Press Enter. Arrow down to Primary Video Adapter. Press Enter. Arrow up to choose PCI. Press Enter. Press ESC. Right arrow over to Exit. Exit Saving Changes. 'Y' for Yes.)

The bold parts are where I need a bit more specificity... you don't happen to remember just where in the menu they stuck the options? Otherwise there are so many combinations that I'm thinking I'm not going to hit it in my life time...

I can't stand it that Dell doesn't update their manuals with the current BIOS menus when they publish an upgrade...

-Av-

 

SmoochyTX

Lifer
Apr 19, 2003
13,615
0
0
Originally posted by: BZAvatar
Thanks, and A01 is where they added the ability to switch to 'auto' that gives me my tiny sliver of hope. The 2350 here is actually an A02 machine so I know it's there... it's where the exact entries are that's got me...

4. Change BIOS settings from integrated to PCI. (At the Dell logo screen, press F2 to go into your BIOS. If you were not quick enough on this start just power down and try again. Right arrow over to the Advanced tab. Arrow down to Peripheral Configuration. Press Enter. Arrow down to Primary Video Adapter. Press Enter. Arrow up to choose PCI. Press Enter. Press ESC. Right arrow over to Exit. Exit Saving Changes. 'Y' for Yes.)

The bold parts are where I need a bit more specificity... you don't happen to remember just where in the menu they stuck the options? Otherwise there are so many combinations that I'm thinking I'm not going to hit it in my life time...

I can't stand it that Dell doesn't update their manuals with the current BIOS menus when they publish an upgrade...

-Av-

If you have A02, then those directions should work for you step-by-step. Those are the exact directions I used to install that card on my 2350 A02.

Can you find Peripheral Configuation in the Advanced tab?

ETA - I know this sounds stupid but make sure you are following those directions to the letter starting from Step 1. The 2350 machines were SUPER picky upgrading to PCI video cards. I tried installing it several different ways but the only way that would work for me (and others at the time) was the way I outlined above.
 

BZAvatar

Junior Member
Jan 28, 2008
6
0
0
It's literally the first entry? Peripheral Config is the third entry under the Advanced tab according to the original Bios manual, which is where I get:

F2
Right Arrow
Down
Down
Down
Enter...

That should get me into "Peripherals Configuration".

Off to hunt and peck some more... thanks!

-Av-
 

SmoochyTX

Lifer
Apr 19, 2003
13,615
0
0
Originally posted by: BZAvatar
It's literally the first entry? Peripheral Config is the third entry under the Advanced tab according to the original Bios manual, which is where I get:

F2
Right Arrow
Down
Down
Down
Enter...

That should get me into "Peripherals Configuration".

Off to hunt and peck some more... thanks!

-Av-

I don't have a 2350 anymore, so these are the only instructions I know how to give you.

Right arrow over to the Advanced tab. Arrow down to Peripheral Configuration. Press Enter. Arrow down to Primary Video Adapter. Press Enter. Arrow up to choose PCI. Press Enter. Press ESC. Right arrow over to Exit. Exit Saving Changes. 'Y' for Yes.
 

BZAvatar

Junior Member
Jan 28, 2008
6
0
0
I know where Peripheral Config is, but there's no way to see where Primary Video Adapter is in the menu... remember, I'm working blind here...

I appreciate the help and believe me, I've seen quite a few people posts from people struggling to get a decent video card working on the 2350's. Shouldn't be that hard... darn you all to heck, Dell... :)

Well, I'm still hoping someone around here has a 2350 sitting around and can check the order of the entries in the bios for me. Might be too much to hope for, but I don't have many other options at this point. (my fingers are getting tired...) :)

-Av-
 

SmoochyTX

Lifer
Apr 19, 2003
13,615
0
0
Originally posted by: BZAvatar
I know where Peripheral Config is, but there's no way to see where Primary Video Adapter is in the menu... remember, I'm working blind here...

I appreciate the help and believe me, I've seen quite a few people posts from people struggling to get a decent video card working on the 2350's. Shouldn't be that hard... darn you all to heck, Dell... :)

Well, I'm still hoping someone around here has a 2350 sitting around and can check the order of the entries in the bios for me. Might be too much to hope for, but I don't have many other options at this point. (my fingers are getting tired...) :)

-Av-

Enable the onboard graphics in the System Properties Hardware tab (reverse of Step 1). Uninstall the ATI drivers if you already have them installed. Remove the video card.

Then try rebooting and see if your onboard video is working.
 

BZAvatar

Junior Member
Jan 28, 2008
6
0
0
Ack... you must've missed the first part of the post.

The video connector has been ripped physically off of the motherboard. There was nothing left of the onboard video connection but a couple of twisted leads I removed.

No way to see what I'm doing, I'm working blind here.

-Av-
 

SmoochyTX

Lifer
Apr 19, 2003
13,615
0
0
Originally posted by: BZAvatar
Ack... you must've missed the first part of the post.

The video connector has been ripped physically off of the motherboard. There was nothing left of the onboard video connection but a couple of twisted leads I removed.

No way to see what I'm doing, I'm working blind here.

-Av-
Sorry, I don't have keystroke by keystroke directions. If you're not wanting to get a new computer or a newer used one, have you thought about just buying a new motherboard for yours?

Ebay link
 

BZAvatar

Junior Member
Jan 28, 2008
6
0
0
It's not mine, it's a co-worker's, and she's living life under a dark cloud... if I can hit a few keys and get this card working I will, saving a hardware transplant for a last resort.

There must be someone out there with a 2350 that can give me a key-for-key, or toss up a screenshot of the menus...

I guess I can also break down and call Dell, but as I said, I'm upset with them that they don't even bother to make the correct manual illustrations available when they post a patch. Grrrrr.... :|

-Av-