Vista - Can not get graphics card to work- help

I have a 2 year old XFX GeForce 8600 GT PCIE 16X that Im trying to install in a new computer with vista 64 and on board ATI radeon HD 3200.

The first couple times i tried it, after install, i got no graphics at all, until i removed the card.

After going into the BIOS, and changing the "displayPort Config" from Auto to Enabled, the on board graphics would work with the card installed, but not the card graphics.

When i try to load the supplied drivers I get this message "The VGA detected seems not XFX's product. please go to nvidia.com to get the driver for the other NVIDIA VGA."

I dont understand that, but i then downloaded updated drivers from Nvidia, but when i try to install them, i get an assortment of error messages, including "The Nvidia setup program could not locate any drivers that are compatible with your current hardware", "you are running a 32bit version of nvidia uninstaller on a 64bit system", "setup detected the operating system in use is not windows vista 64bit"

these errors seem to contradict themselves.

Is it possible this card is not compatible with the computer? The card may be bad, as my old PC lost graphics, but the geek squad (a bunch of morons by the way) swapped cards and still no graphics and said my MoBo was bad, so i just got new PC, but woudl like to use this card , as I assume its better than the included built in graphics.

Going into the MoBo users guide, it doesnt cover switching from on-board graphics to PCI slot, other than describing how to configure the BIOS settings for the graphics card to support ATI Hybrid CrossFireX. I tried that, but it didnt seem to do anything either. im guessing the ATI contol center software doesnt show the enable CrossFire option without a CrossFire compatible card installed, or i didnt install the drivers correctly for that function.

Im loving the power of the new PC, but its weak point is definatley the on board graphics

Is there anyway for you to disable the onboard video in bio's?? Sounds like it is enabled and not letting your card operate. Seems like that's the cause for your installer for your driver's not to work right. Just a guess, since all the boards I own do not have onboard video. But did you do bench marks on that onboard video compared to your 8600 and see where they rate at??

No, i cant seem to find that option in BIOS. Do u think this motherboard crossFireX support has something to do with it? I think that lets u use on board graphics and discrete GPU at the same time?

no, i didnt benchmark the two. Not sure how to do that. im more of a newbie to this stuff.

The cross firex only means you can only run two ati cards together, but you should still be able to use a single nvidia card, if I was you. I would just order a ATI 4890 for 200$USD and put that bad boy in crossfire mode. ;] but thats just me!

I believe i have Hybrid CrossFireX, thats what my mother boards instructions say anyway. I found this description online- ATI CrossFireX™ enables two or more discrete graphics processors to work together to improve system performance in both Windows® XP and Windows Vista®. ATI Hybrid CrossFireX™ specifically refers to the ability to boost system performance by allowing a discrete graphics processor and an integrated graphics processor to work simultaneously in a Windows Vista® environment.

Im not really interested in any of that, i just want my dual DVI card to work and ill be happy. i wonder if this crossfire is causing me a problem?

i think im gonna look at re-loading motherboard drivers and see if that does anything

does that card need additonal power supply hook up? i dont want to have to buy a new power supply. Mine doesnt support the cards that need the extra wiring to them

Pretty sure it does ;[


So there is no way in bios to disable onboard video settings?


Edit:


What mobo do you have so I can look it up and see if I can find anything about the onboard video!

Asus M3A78-EM

Im starting to think my video card may be no good. The fan on the card spins when its installed, but i suppose that doesnt mean the rest of its any good.

from what i can find on the motherboard, it automatically detects discrete GPU and switches over when a card is installed. I suppose when i had the BIOS in 'auto' it didnt work because it checks the PCIE slot first, picked up a card, even though it didnt work, and shut down the integrated graphics?

And the drivers wont install because they dont detect the card?

Does that sound right?

maybe the clowns at geek squad told me my MoBo was bad when actually the GPU and the MObo were bad?

If you agree to this and think i should try a new GPU, what woudl you recommend? I woudl like to stay under $200, soemthign that has 2 dvi outputs to use dual monitors and a HDMI output since i have a blue ray drive and want the option to hook it to HDTV.

The Mobo has a HDMI output as well. Is there any way i could use discrete GPU and still have the Mobo HDMI output both work at the same time?

Since I have this Hybrid CrossFireX ATI chipset software, i suppose i should get an ATI GPU, although i always thought Nvidia was supposed to be better.

UPDATE -

Im using the on board graphics for now, and i had some intermittant display driver problems (screen was flashing on and off) so vista rebooted itself and seems to be ok now.

So anyway, i went back into the bios and was looking around, and i noticed under "graphics/primary video controller" I have 4 options.

they are:
GFXO-GPP-IGFX-PCI
GPP-GFXO-IGFX-PCI
PCI-GFXO-GPP-IGFX
IGFX-GFXO-GPP-PCI

These appear to be all the same things, just listed in different orders, so Im gonna assume I leave it in "auto" under display port adapter settings, and it will use these choices in the order selected?

what are all these choices and how can i have 4 of them?

thanks

btw- i have no video card installed at the moment, and apparantly to switch from discrete graphics card to on board graphics you do it through ATI catalyst application from the desktop and not through the BIOS? Is anyone familiar with this, is that correct?