Integrated Graphics Chip Sucks

[wil3ur]

So I got me a new system and upgraded my POwer Supply and grabbed a 2GB Radeon 6570 to throw in for graphics.  The board came with an Integrated Graphics Chip Radeon 6530D.  I've followed my installation instructions for the card (loaded windows, disabled the integrated chip, turned off computer, put in card and started up).  At this point, everything runs fine, windows boots and I get a pop-up telling me that there aren't drivers for my new card.  So I pop in the CD and install the drivers.  It then asks me to reboot and I do, then I can't even get to the windows login screen, I get a BSOD telling me the ATIKMPAG.SYS is encountering a problem.

Just wondering if anyone else has had any issues upgrading a graphics card from an integrated graphics chip.  I've been searching crap for 8 hours and can't find anything, I've tried installing the drivers from the webpage rather than the disk, but no matter what I do I can't get the system to boot once I install drivers for this card.

Specs:

Win7 64 Bit
AMD A6-3620 APU with Radeon HD Graphics (4 CUPs) ~2.2GHZ
8192MB Ram
DX Version 11
Upgraded Power Supply is 650w.

If anyone has any tips, please let me know.

Thanks...

        

[Skuzzy]

Upgrading from integrated graphics chips can be tricky.  Windows does not make it easy.

There is a very strict method involved in doing this.

1)  With the system booted to the Windows desktop.  Remove the existing onboard video drivers.
2)  When the system asks to restart, do not allow it to reboot.  If you do reboot, start over.
3)  With the system powered down, install the new video.  Do not connect your monitor to it yet.
4)  Power up, and get into the system BIOS setup.  If you fail here, you need to pull the card back out and start over.
5)  Once in the system BIOS, find the option to disable the onboard video chip.  If there is not one, you are pretty much stuck with the integrated chip.  If there is, then disable it.
6)  Power down the computer and connect the video monitor to the new video card.
7)  Now power up and continue to the Windows desktop.  It should look pretty ugly.
8)  Install the new video card drivers from the CD/DVD that came with the card. (Update them, if you want, after you install the original drivers).

That should do it, if the new card is working correctly and you could disable the onboard one.

[wil3ur]

*Sigh*

Thanks...  I've done that about 8x, I guess the kicker is the bios.  I have no option for disabling the chip, and can't seem to find an update for it online.  I'll have to contact the manufacturer and see if I can find something.

[Delirium]

Some motherboards have an pin setting for the online video, check your manual.

[Skuzzy]

*Sigh*

Thanks...  I've done that about 8x, I guess the kicker is the bios.  I have no option for disabling the chip, and can't seem to find an update for it online.  I'll have to contact the manufacturer and see if I can find something.

If there is no BIOS setting for it, then look for a jumper on the motherboard to disable it.  There are manufacturers who will not allow the onboard video to be disabled.  If that is the case, then, generally speaking, you cannot add an aftermarket motherboard to the system.

This is due to the OEM designing the computer so it cannot be upgraded.

[wil3ur]

Yeah... one of the specifics I was sold the computer on was that it was upgradeable and had the PCE16x Slot for video upgrades...  I'll have to check the jumpers when I get home.  HP support was no help,  "We don't suggest you upgrade any components from the original factory system".

 

[Skuzzy]

I find most HP systems are not easy to upgrade.  Many just cannot be upgraded.

[gyrene81]

wilbur, the reason you do not see a function to disable that graphics chip is because it is part of the processor. there is no option to disable it. what you're going to want to do is setup dual graphics (similar to crossfire) in the vision control center. you will probably want to use the catalyst/driver package v12.3. i'm not sure if any of the 11.x series will work properly, but you could try.

[Skuzzy]

Actually, the builtin video chip of the Intel CPU can be disabled.  Intel did provide for that.  HP may not make that option available.

[gyrene81]

Actually, the builtin video chip of the Intel CPU can be disabled.  Intel did provide for that.  HP may not make that option available.

AMD A6-3620 APU with Radeon HD Graphics (4 CUPs) ~2.2GHZ

it's not an intel...

[Skuzzy]

AMD A6-3620 APU with Radeon HD Graphics (4 CUPs) ~2.2GHZ

it's not an intel...

Oops, my bad.  AMD did not provide a method to disable the builtin video?  I am asking as I do not know.  I tend to shy away from the CPU's with builtin video.

[gyrene81]

i've been scouring the web looking for a clue on how to disable it and it looks as if amd decided to make it so that onboard gpu would just get paired with a video card in a "pseudo" crossfire configuration. i haven't tried it myself because the apu series chips don't seem to be all that great for gaming.

of course a call or email to amd tech support might glean some better information...

[wil3ur]

Thanks... I'll have to check that out.  I'm a little pissed and will probably end up returning the computer.  I specifically talked to the guy about needing a system for gaming and one I can upgrade both RAM and my Video card, and possibly put in dual cards.  He assured me that this was the system I needed, checked out the specs... everything seemed on the up and up, then I get it home and find out it's a Fry's refurbished system, so the guy probably got an extra chunk of commission out of sticking me with something that didn't match the specs on the box.  Talked to them and 'Everything is comparable' to what was listed.

This is turning into way more than I wanted to deal with.  *argh*

Thanks for the tips, I might try the crossfire configuration and see if that works.

[guncrasher]

never trust a salesman. their job is to sale and they will promise you anything to get you to buy it.  best thing build your own. or go to one of the sites that will build you one or call td if you arent willing to do it.


semp

[Skuzzy]

Stop and think about it.

Do you think anyone with a really good working knowledge of computer systems and software is going to aspire to be a sales puke at a retail store?