Being a newbie, I'm not sure this is the right place to ask my question, if not
please direct me to the proper one . Thanks.

The video card went out in my old pc. (I believe it is built into the mother board) I need very important files on that pc to prevent my home from going into foreclosure. With my tech knowledge being very limited, what are the chances of being able to transfer or retrieve them myself, instead of having
to put out the substancial amount of money a repair shop wants to do it?

Any help or advice any one can offer is greatly appreciated.


Joe

What O/S (Operating System) is on the machine in question?
ie; Win 98, Win 2000, Win XP, Linux, etc.

Apparently it's a desktop computer?

You can pick up a inexpensive video adapter (video card) to install in your system. Even a used video adapter if the video output is the only problem.

Do you have access to another working computer "in case"? (An XP machine if ~yours~ is XP)

Thanks for replying Dan!

Yes, I'm currently using my other pc to post here. Both this one and the one in question are desktops and running Windows XP.

How complicated would it be to install a new video card? As I said, I believe the video card is built into the mother board and my tech knowledge is very limited.

BTW, I REALLY appreciate your help!

Installing an add-in card is a fairly simple mechanical operation.

Remove the case cover. If it's an older "wrap-around" type cover, remove the three to six screws at the rear. Slide it back an inch or two and lift it off. If it's a "side panel" type, remove the two or three screws and slide it back about a quarter inch or so and lift it away. Some are snug and may need a gentle pry rearwards to "pop" it free. Remove the left side panel as viewed from the front of the system. No need to remove the right side for this operation. You'll see tabs on the panel which fit into slotted holes on the case frame upper and lower rails upon reinstalling.

If it's a tower type system, lay it on its right side so you're looking down at the motherboard. PCI slots are white. AGP (Advanced Graphics Processor) slots are brown, shorter, and nearer the top of the system above the PCI slots. They are also set back more from the rear of the case. Determine what type of video card you want to install. AGP means more dollars. Either type will work. Go shopping for a new or tested used card.

Read this first - AGP Cards:
http://www.playtool.com/pages/agpcompat/agp.html

==================================================
Now, this is where the "gamble" comes into play. (The "in case" I mentioned in my # 2 post.) Some motherboards will automatically switch to add-in card video if the onboard video dies, or if a video card is inserted. If your motherboard doesn't do this, then you're out the cost of a card because you won't be able to see to enter the bios and disable the onboard video and switch it to the PCI/AGP setting. You'll either have to

get another motherboard that will accept your current CPU/Memory, or

pull the hard disk and retrieve your data in another machine, or

get another machine to replace this one. You can do an XP Repair Install with your hard disk(s) (if you have your XP CD/Product Key.)

You can test this with the card from your other machine (if one exists (not onboard again), and if the "bad" machine has a slot to accept it.)

So here's the deciding point.
==================================================

When you have the card (avoid touching the contacts), line it up with the chosen slot to determine which rear slot cover should be removed. Some (older type) are held in with a screw*, and some are "stamped" into the frame and must be pryed/bent/wiggled to break it free from the frame.

Make a note of the make/part number/model number of the card so we can seek out new drivers if you received none with the card.

Remove the power cord from the wall or rear of the power supply. Line up the card with the slot and the rear (connector) opening and firmly push it straight down into the slot. There's no need for tonnes of pressure. You can flex the motherboard and crack "tracks", then you'll have to go shopping again. Secure the card with the screw or retaining bracket*.

NOTE: If you're using an AGP card, some slots have a card retainer at the end of the slot nearer the front of the system. It may be a spring loaded pin which you pull aside to seat the card, or it may be a flip up/down lever. Some have none.

If you didn't get a screw with the card, or there's no screw in the case, they're generally an 8/32 X 1/2" machine screw (not a wood screw). (8 gauge/32 threads per inch, one half inch long, "PAN" head or hex head. Either will do.)

Connect the monitor cable to the card connector, being careful of orientation and not bending pins. Lightly tighten the screws/thumb screws. These don't have to be cranked down. They simply hold the cable onto the connector.

I generally power up and test before replacing any covers. Murphy's law you know....


*Some newer case have a bracket which holds all the cards in place. It's usually held in at one end with a tab, and secured at the other end with a screw or another snap-in tab.

Post back with further questions, decisions, or results.......

It's a good day when you learn something

I'd say this is a VERY good day!!
WOW! I learned A LOT!! (Everything in italics, I learned TODAY!)

Looks like I need an AGP cardwith VGA connector, Standard Profile with 128MB of RAM. Preferably ATI or NVIDIA GPU I'm not
much of a "Gamer", and don't plan to upgrade that machine, since I have
this new model, so I think the GeForce 6200 will be fine.

Now all I've got to do is buy the card, (Hope it comes with driver)(power supply already unplugged) lift the retainer clip, slide the card into the slot,
flip the retainer clip down, secure it to the back slot with the screw that's
already there, plug my VGA monitor in, (leave the cover off) plug in the
power supply, boot up and pray it works.
If not, after muttering a few "un-postable" words, come back for a little
more help from "Dan, THE MAN!" And you certainly are THAT, in my
book, my friend! Thank You!

The world needs more guys like YOU and all the others here that give
so freely of the one thing we all cherish most, our TIME. I'm sure you
don't hear it nearly enough, so I'll say it again: Thank You!

(I'll be back to let you know how it turns either way.)

Best regards,
Joe
(But my FRIENDS call me "Hawk".) Consider yourself to be one of them.)

Friend Hawk,

Thank you for the kind words, and You're welcome. Glad to help.

Please post your outcome or any further questions that you may have.

I live in fairly small town and I'm having a hard time finding a card as describe
below.
Based on the following info, and considering the main purpose of the card
is to restore the video to a machine to enable me to retreive files from it
would a GeForce MX 4000 with only 64 megs of RAM work?

Looks like I need an AGP cardwith VGA connector, Standard Profile with 128MB of RAM. Preferably ATI or NVIDIA GPU I'm not
much of a "Gamer", and don't plan to upgrade that machine, since I have
this new model, so I think the GeForce 6200 will be fine.

GeForce MX 4000 - 64 MB RAM would work just fine.

Basically any working video card which will fit in your machine's PCI or AGP slot will do. As long as you can set your desired screen resolution to "get around" comfortably.