Author Topic: AH2/IBM Blues (Read 573 times)

elwd · « **on:** June 17, 2004, 06:24:53 PM »

Welp, here I go again. Looking for a third game with an out of date PC---2 year old at that.......

No T&L for you elwd!

I've got an IBM NetVista X41 (all in one desktop), Rage 128 Ultra card(16MB) and a 1.6ghz P4; running XP.

The IBM has "integrated video" as they refer to it. Translation: You can't upgrade it.

IBM tells me if I could find a "low-profile PCI Card" I may be able to run the game. ATI and Nividia sites show no such things, but I don't really know what to look for.

Sure miss you all already---can someone save me $1500????

Thanks,

Mark C

elwd
=Iron Eagles=
Ellwood City, PA

MOSQ · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2004, 06:37:10 PM »

Did you open the case and look to see if there is an AGP slot ?

If not, does there look like there is enough room for a standard PCI card?

elwd · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2004, 07:34:52 PM »

Yes, there is one AGP slot and 2 PCI slots. IBM Tech pages say you need a card ABOUT 2" high and 6 " long. A friend of mine referred to this as a micro card, but had no idea where to find one.

This PC has no tower, just a monitor with the MB behing the flat screen, the CDR tray drops out from below th screen---a VERY compact package.

So, any of yinz box builders out there.....

thanks

elwd

Mark C

RTR · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2004, 07:38:21 PM »

elwd post your PC specs.

You should have an open AGP slot, or PCI slot.

AGP would be better, but if you only have an open PCI slot, there are video cards available.

You may be surprised at how few $$ it may cost to get you playing.

Surf through the hardware forum as well. There is a wealth of information there.

cheers

RTR

elwd · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2004, 07:49:11 PM »

IBM NetVista X41 model 2283H3U All-in-One (no tower)
Intel P4 1.6ghz CPU
Video----Rage 128 Ultra (16mb)
40gig HD
1 open AGP Slot
2 open PCI Slots

Win XP home
Verizon DSL/Westell modem/Linksys Etherfast Router

Operator:
6ft, 205, brown hair, blue eyes, DOB 8/56
PC Challenged

Mark C

MOSQ · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2004, 11:22:08 PM »

I watched the removal and installation movies at http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=0&uid=psg1MIGR-52093&loc=en_US and I'm not sure a normal AGP card would fit. It was noticable that IBM had lots of movies, but none of them pertain to adding a PCI or AGP card!

Looking at the system board it appears you do NOT have an AGP slot, just two PCI slots. Are you sure you have an open AGP slot? See: http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=0&uid=psg1MIGR-41597&loc=en_US

elwd · « **Reply #6 on:** June 18, 2004, 05:19:49 PM »

MOSQ,

I'm sorry, as I understand it there is an "AGP" slot, but it is occupied by a Rage 128 Ultra card that was OEM to work with video aspects of the IBM Motherboard. You cannot replace it with an AGP card according to IBM. Rage just emailed me to tell me that they do not offer a "low profile" card, but only make them for OEM applications, such as IBM has for this model. I have to find a PCI video card, in "low profile" for one of the PCI slots, then disable the onboard Rage card. Even though the Rage card is of the AGP Bus type, AGP replacement is not an option.

I am finding such cards, but they seem to be "TV" cards, and I am not sure that this is the answer. I am still open to suggestions. Thanks for your input so far.

Mark C
elwd

MOSQ · « **Reply #7 on:** June 18, 2004, 07:08:24 PM »

These machines were built for business use only, not home gaming systems. They have almost zero upgradability.

Your best bet is to get a new computer, or build a new one from scratch. Give this one to a school or someone who needs to learn how to use MS Word and Excel.

If you don't have the $, you might even consider buying a used one and doing a couple of upgrades to get it to AHII playability.

Whats your budget for getting to AHII playability?

elwd · « **Reply #8 on:** June 18, 2004, 08:45:38 PM »

Mosq,

You may have a point.

I have an older P3 HP Pavillion that is a more traditional tower type PC that I could build on I guess. I might be able to go $3-500 to do so, but I have limited building experience. Once you get to $500 and up, you start getting into the price range of a good refurb from the manufacturers so it becomes a case of diminishing returns.

I think the HP may have a 800MHZ PIII in it, but it would need at least a new vid card, and it runs Win98.

Waddya think??

Thanks so much for your help and your opinions. I am at a distinct disadvantage on the PC techno end and the advise really helps.

Mark C

MOSQ · « **Reply #9 on:** June 18, 2004, 11:57:25 PM »

elwd,
I have a Dell P-3 600 with Win98, 384 Ram. It works fine in AHII with two upgrades. I've built a few computers since my 386 25mhz days, but I took the easy route this time, simple plug and play basically. For the same money you can get much better performance than these, but would involve more work. Here's two options:

First get a good video card like a 9600 XT or FX-5700 Ultra. Check prices at Newegg, the 5700 Ultra is $159, the 9600 XT $150. Don't spend more on a vid card as it will be CPU limited, it's just a waste of money.

Try that. If doesn't work well enough:

Replace your P-3 800 with a Powerleap 1.4 Celeron. This is incredibly easy to do. You just pull the 800 out and stick the 1.4 in. Go to www.powerleap.com . Click on products> Slot 1, the 1.4 Celeron is $119. I'm 99% sure you have a Slot1, but you need to make sure.

For less than $300 you're rolling. I have the Poewerleap Celeron 1.4 and a 5200 Ultra, works fine AHII with the sliders in the middle.

2) Get a new mobo/cpu/vid card/memory. Frys has an in store combo this weekend of AMD 2800 and mobo for $159, 512 memory $85, and an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro $199. .

Total just over $425. Far better performance than option 1, but this is a hell of a lot more work than option 1!

ramzey · « **Reply #10 on:** June 19, 2004, 12:48:13 AM »

do not chose option 1, celeron is too slow

i have option 2 from frys and now targeting for 9800 pro
motherboard and cpu with this memmory works fine, no problema at all

MOSQ · « **Reply #11 on:** June 19, 2004, 03:04:12 AM »

I have the Powerleap Celeron 1.4. I play AHII just fine. I don't have all the eye candy maxed, but that's Ok.

If he's never installed a mobo/CPU, he may not like the work involved. It can be extremely frustrating.

elwd · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2004, 06:19:21 PM »

well, the plot thickens....
I received today a XFX FX5200 PCI 128MB card, in low profile.
It did fit in the case, which was a relief.

After the install, I found that this IBM all-in-one will not "see" the FX5200. It only wants to deal with the ATI Rage that is part of the "integrated video".

As my monitor is a TFT, I believe it connects directly to the motherboard without a traditional "video" cable. At least I don't see one.

So, I call IBM to see if there is a jumper or bios setting that has to be changed. Now, the same hotline that told me what kind of card to buy tells me that there is no way to run the TFT thru the new one. In the bios set up screen, it only shows the ATI card, but allows me to select PCI and allows me to change from 16MB to 128MB. But in display properties, under adapters, it shows only the OEM Rage card.

I even disabled the OEM card and uninstalled the ATI drivers, but They're back....

So, I guess I have to figure a way to either run a cable to an old monitor I have here and get the IBM to recognize the card.

IBM sucks......

Perplexed in Pittsburgh

airbumba · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2004, 03:15:59 PM »

U cant remove the onboard display adapter, just disable it. U should be able to select your new one then,.

I just installed the same card and I have a cheaper Netvista, with a Celery 1.2. I don't have a micro tower tho, thank god. Just tweaking up now..