Installing a video card: should the gold contacts on the card be showing? (Updated with new problem)

[VuLakAerr]

Am I supposed to see the gold contacts on the video card? Or should they be pushed right into the agp slot? I don't want to force it in and completely screw it up.

 

[alexXx]

if no reasonable force will push it in farther, then it is prolly ok. Just try it. If it doesnt work, reseat and try again. It wont damage the card if it isnt pushed in all the way. It would just not work.

 

[pirred908]

Originally posted by: VuLakAerr
Am I supposed to see the gold contacts on the video card? Or should they be pushed right into the agp slot? I don't want to force it in and completely screw it up.

You should not see the gold contacts. If you cant push it any further perhaps take it out and repositon it. If its not in all the way though it just won't work. So try it.

 

[OMG1Penguin]

Might want to get a can of canned air (woot redundancy) and blow the hell out of the slot, there could be some hair in there (I'm a poet, and I was not aware of the fact!) if it is not a new motherboard. Contacts should not be showing.

 

[Marsumane]

They dont typically show. ive seen them show on a couple of my machines just barely at the top and it worked 100% ok. Its not that big of a deal. Just make sure its in good. Its better to have them showing then to push too hard and damage a component.

 

[VuLakAerr]

New problem: I pushed it simply as far as it would go without putting alot of force on it. It is the same as before, the gold contacts are still showing. The bracket with the screw hole was about 1/2 cm off from being flush. When I put the screw in, it kind of forces the left end of the card in more, and pulls the right side out a bit.I tried it anyways and got no picture.

The software that came with it totally blows and windows couldn't detect it. Has anybody else had some problem like this? Or does anyone know what I should try and do?

My mobo is pretty old. SiS 730S, with an integrated video card..

 

[SickBeast]

It sounds to me as though your motherboard is not properly mounted in the case. Your case may be warped as well.

If the card isn't seated properly, do not power your computer up.

 

[VuLakAerr]

Would I possibly have to change something in the BIOS because my mobo has an integrated video card? Like switch it to AGP as my primary or something?

Could it possibly be my monitor not supporting VGA or something? Im not at all familiar with that, is there a way to check whether or not my monitor supports it?

 

[Jeff7181]

I've noticed, especially with cheap old cases, sometimes the little slots that the end of the metal bracket is supposed to slide into isn't positioned exactly so you sometimes have to bend the very end of the bracket to get it to slide all the way in.

 

[VuLakAerr]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I've noticed, especially with cheap old cases, sometimes the little slots that the end of the metal bracket is supposed to slide into isn't positioned exactly so you sometimes have to bend the very end of the bracket to get it to slide all the way in.

Possibly.

What the heck? I can't get into my BIOS for some reason..Tried every key.

 

[stnicralisk]

Originally posted by: VuLakAerr

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I've noticed, especially with cheap old cases, sometimes the little slots that the end of the metal bracket is supposed to slide into isn't positioned exactly so you sometimes have to bend the very end of the bracket to get it to slide all the way in.

Possibly.

What the heck? I can't get into my BIOS for some reason..Tried every key.

I usually dont suggest this but.. you should have gotten a dell.

Have you taken the card out and tried putting it in again. If you start with the card crooked at all it will not go into the slot correctly.

Also with my woman's motherboard I had to cut the end of the metal bracket on the graphics card off because it was this [ ] much longer than it should have been.

 

[CorCentral]

Sometimes it takes a little wiggling of the card to get it in its slot. (he said)
Just get it in there , you will know when it hits home.

Most times the card can get caught on the back of the inside of the case a little. A little right to left pushing down of the card will manuever it into place.

 

[Big Lar]

Hmm, Are you sure thats an AGP slot your putting that card into? On most boards the agp slot is brown, whereas the PCI slots are white or beige.

 

[VuLakAerr]

Yeah, Brown, 2.8 inches or so.

 

[VuLakAerr]

I just really don't know if I should try and push it in so that the gold contacts are not showing.. doing that would most likely line up the bracket, but Im just thinking the bracket is too big, or my case is crappy.

 

[Bucksnort]

It is a bit scary the first time you do it. Remove your card then position the contacts over the agp slot to where it is lined up. Rest the contacts down into the agp slot and make sure the metal plate is pretty much flush with the computer case. Place a finger on both ends of the card. Now apply gentle pressure on both ends slightly alternating pressure from one end to the other which will cause the card to rock slightly. Continue and increase the pressure you apply untill the card seats down into the slot. Now do it. Dont be afraid!