i just recently installed a 128 MB NVidia GForce FX5800 video card. Windows XP only recognised the card as a Default Video Card – not allowing any 3D games to be done and limiting the screen resolution to 800x600.installed drivers off a Computer Magazine CD but still can not use the 3D functions of my card.
fan does not spin and no lights appear on the front of the machine.

Can you delete it from windows and then go to add new hardware and choose show all instead of letting windows decide?

I hate to say this but you should've gotten an ATI RADEON card. The ATI cards are easy to install and they're worth every cent. If you have a low-end PC and would like to MAX out the graphics on all your games, the ATI Radeon cards that use S-video can make games that are set at 640x420 look like 1024x768!, the only drawback is that the S-video port links to modern TV's like HDTV's but its worth it

i want to get a basic gaming computer without breaking the bank. I was looking at Intel versus AMD. Does AMD work well with Call of Duty1 and 2, Star Wars Battlefront 1 and 2, Battlefield etc? I've heard AMD is a little cheaper but works without issues except the fact that maybe some games do not support it. True or not True? Please enlighten me cuz I haven't a clue.