extreme bad video card

[coyotech]

Hi i was wondering wat kind of pci graphics card can work with my computer if the pci data bus width is 32. I have no idea what thats mean I got it off everest home edition but it could be important when buying a video card. I saw some video cards what have 128 data bus width and wondering will they work with my computer. I'm coming of intel intergeted graphics so anything will do. I don't have any agp slot and no money for new computer. In case you are wondering my computer is a Hp pavilion 503n with 256 ram :(

[Blur]

I think a little more details would help us to help you better. Here's how..

Click Start > Click Run >
Type in "dxdiag" without the quotes. Click Ok.
Let the diagnosis run.

At the bottom, click save all information, which will save it to a text document in the location you specify in which you can view the details. Open it up (should be called dxdiag.txt) and copy the first section titled System Information, should be around 15 lines. Then just reply in this topic and paste that information. Hope this helps. This should allow us to figure out what would be best for your computer.

[coyotech]

Here it is

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 2/26/2005, 12:23:02
Machine name:
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) (2600.xpclnt_qfe.021108-2107)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 05
System Model: 503n
BIOS: Version 3.11
Processor: Intel® Celeron® CPU 1.70GHz, ~1.7GHz
Memory: 254MB RAM
Page File: 265MB used, 359MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.0001.0904 32bit Unicode

:( But just what happen today i just discovered a real problem with my computer my cd drive is goneeeee. when i click my computer it isn't there any more i see all the other drives but not that, when i put cd in nothing happens its just like to the computer it doesn't exist. Help :(

[coyotech]

opps sorry for the missing cd rom thing I solved that problem it was star**** doing that ;)

[Blur]

Thanks, that does help alot. The next question (Which I forgot before) is what kind of budget do you have for this? Your processor really isn't all that bad (even though its a celery stick) but onboard video is horrible (as you pointed out) and some extra ram wouldn't hurt.

[coyotech]

Well sorry i took so long to reply couldn't login for some reason anyway
my budget is only $100 at most the cheaper the better and about my ram im not sure whether my computer can take any other type than pc2100

[Blur]

Here we go.... Based on your posted info I looked up your computer on the HP website and got the specifications. After looking at that I came up with this, which in my opinion would most likely be the best possible upgrade in your situation. I really thought you should have more ram, so I added that as well. According to your specifications, you have 2 DDR ramslots for a maxiumum of 2 GB so it should be no problem to pop another stick of 256mb in.

SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9200SE Video Card, 128MB DDR, 64-bit, TV-Out, PCI -OEM (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-354&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE) - $49

The video card has a 4/5 rating. You can read the reviews here.
http://secure.newegg.com/app/CustratingReview.asp?DEPA=0&item=14-102-354

Kingston ValueRAM 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-2100 - OEM - $35
(http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-141-002&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE)Total: $84 without tax


That is taken from www.newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com/). A highly respected company. I have used them multiple times and I have never heard a complaint, from one single person that has used them. Those are both good products, by great companies. That would keep you under your budget, double your ram, and get you a decent video card, and although its not top of the line, it would be a huge difference from the integrated video that you currently have. If I forgot anything or you have any questions, just ask, I'll do my best to answer them.

[coyotech]

Well unfortunely my computer has both slots filled because i added a 128mb stick myself it was very simple and one thing i know about ram is you have to have the exact type and amount of ram in each slot so ill likely just have to go for a 1gb or 512mb stick

Sapphire ati Radeon 9200se video card
128mb ddr, 64bit <--i was wondering what does this mean cuz my computer says something about my pci bus being 32bit is this important

Another thing i should of mentioned is I am not from the United states I am from the Bahamas but i always have some relative of mine makes trips over there I won't be able to get it from newegg but will only bee able to get it from popular electronic stores like compusa or best buy etc that you can find anywhere. I guess ill look at compusa online and see if I can find the things you suggested or someting near to them.
Thanks alot for the help :)

[Blur]

The 64mb on the video card won't matter. Any amount would work. Same thing for the ram. Even if you have 2x 128 sticks in there you could take one out and replace it with a 256 or 512 and it will work fine. I'm sure you can find them at your local electronics store but I'm afraid you won't get the same kind of prices as you would from online. Best buy has 256mb of ddr ram from $50 up and the same type video card would be around $80. Good luck, I hope you find something decent. If you have no other choice my suggestion would be to skip the ram and grab a new video card around the same type I suggested. Just make sure you get a PCI card instead of AGP. If you need anything else let me know.