Two video cards

  • Thread starter Thread starter Phillip944
  • Start date Start date
P

Phillip944

If you install a new video card without removing the old one, will the system
crash?

Just curious.
 
yes because even
though your monitor
is plugged into one
of them, the old card
is still being registered
by your operating system.

some bio's allow you to
disable unwanted port
via the bios.

but frankly speaking it is
not worth then time or
trouble to have any unwanted
unused components
installed.

make your pc life problem
free and simply toss out the
old card into the "green" bin.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>


"Phillip944"
<Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote in message
news:5A097DCD-E2B0-4137-9792-748499F6BA27@microsoft.com...
> If you install a new video
> card without removing the
> old one, will the system
> crash?
>
> Just curious.
 
I've added a second video card and had no problems. the system automatically
disabled the old one (because it was integrated).

"Phillip944" wrote:

> If you install a new video card without removing the old one, will the system
> crash?
>
> Just curious.
 
On Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:33:01 -0700, Phillip944
<Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> If you install a new video card without removing the old one, will the system
> crash?



No.

In fact, many people have two video cards installed to provide support
for multiple monitors. One of my XP machines here has two video cards
(although it presently has only a single monitor installed)

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
 
"Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5A097DCD-E2B0-4137-9792-748499F6BA27@microsoft.com...
> If you install a new video card without removing the old one, will the
> system
> crash?
>
> Just curious.


The answer is that the result depends on the system, but having two cards is
a common configuration.

Some systems have special requirements for use of two cards, and if those
aren't met rather than crash, one card may not work or the system may not
boot. Some cards don't like to see another specific card or brand of card
in the same system and that can also lead to problems.

HTH
-pk
 
Re: Two video cards - II

incidentally, another point
that should be considered is
that having unused components
installed only increases the
probability that they will
become faulty or outdated and
will cause your system to
become unstable.

at which time you will spend a
great deal of time doing virus
checks, spyware checks, etc..
because you had forgotten
about the unused components.

therefore you really should
help your self and your system
and realize that there is
absolutely no point in having
components installed on your
system that no longer serve a
useful purpose.

such unused components, until
they become faulty simply
reduce your system resources
as well.
--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

" db.·.. ><))) ·>` .. ."
<databaseben.public.newsgroup.microsoft.com>
wrote in message
news:uuEXC%23B7IHA.616@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> yes because even
> though your monitor
> is plugged into one
> of them, the old card
> is still being registered
> by your operating system.
>
> some bio's allow you to
> disable unwanted port
> via the bios.
>
> but frankly speaking it is
> not worth then time or
> trouble to have any unwanted
> unused components
> installed.
>
> make your pc life problem
> free and simply toss out the
> old card into the "green"
> bin.
>
> --
>
> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>
>
> "Phillip944"
> <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com>
> wrote in message
> news:5A097DCD-E2B0-4137-9792-748499F6BA27@microsoft.com...
>> If you install a new video
>> card without removing the
>> old one, will the system
>> crash?
>>
>> Just curious.

>
 
A few weeks ago, my HP started freezing & blue screening. Then it was
difficult to boot up... beeps & black screens. After researching my brains
out, I narrowed it down to a graphics card issue. I installed an ATI Radeon
HD 3650, but never removed the original card. The booting problem was never
resolved. So, I received recovery CD's from HP yesterday. I am going to do
a recovery this evening. Hopefully, this will do it.

What do you think.

"Patrick Keenan" wrote:

> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:5A097DCD-E2B0-4137-9792-748499F6BA27@microsoft.com...
> > If you install a new video card without removing the old one, will the
> > system
> > crash?
> >
> > Just curious.

>
> The answer is that the result depends on the system, but having two cards is
> a common configuration.
>
> Some systems have special requirements for use of two cards, and if those
> aren't met rather than crash, one card may not work or the system may not
> boot. Some cards don't like to see another specific card or brand of card
> in the same system and that can also lead to problems.
>
> HTH
> -pk
>
>
 
"Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:7411CAC4-FE16-49A2-9D70-369F30E32368@microsoft.com...
>A few weeks ago, my HP started freezing & blue screening. Then it was
> difficult to boot up... beeps & black screens. After researching my
> brains
> out, I narrowed it down to a graphics card issue. I installed an ATI
> Radeon
> HD 3650, but never removed the original card. The booting problem was
> never
> resolved. So, I received recovery CD's from HP yesterday. I am going to
> do
> a recovery this evening. Hopefully, this will do it.
>
> What do you think.


Beeps and black screens at boot mean it doesn't have anything to do with
Windows, it's a hardware incompatibility or failure at a very low level.
The beeps are error codes from the BIOS, and those you hear before the PC
even knows that there's an OS installed.

Remove all non-essential hardware, and start from there. If it doesn't
boot reliably, consider motherboard problems, which will require
replacement.

HTH
-pk


> "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
>
>> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:5A097DCD-E2B0-4137-9792-748499F6BA27@microsoft.com...
>> > If you install a new video card without removing the old one, will the
>> > system
>> > crash?
>> >
>> > Just curious.

>>
>> The answer is that the result depends on the system, but having two cards
>> is
>> a common configuration.
>>
>> Some systems have special requirements for use of two cards, and if those
>> aren't met rather than crash, one card may not work or the system may not
>> boot. Some cards don't like to see another specific card or brand of
>> card
>> in the same system and that can also lead to problems.
>>
>> HTH
>> -pk
>>
>>
 
I understand what you're saying, and really appreciate your input. However,
the one thing I don't get is... why would the computer boot up, work for
10-20 minutes, then freeze, reboot or blue screen? After that... when I hit
the power button, the beeping starts. No codes, just continuous beeping.
It's driving me crazy!!


"Patrick Keenan" wrote:

> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:7411CAC4-FE16-49A2-9D70-369F30E32368@microsoft.com...
> >A few weeks ago, my HP started freezing & blue screening. Then it was
> > difficult to boot up... beeps & black screens. After researching my
> > brains
> > out, I narrowed it down to a graphics card issue. I installed an ATI
> > Radeon
> > HD 3650, but never removed the original card. The booting problem was
> > never
> > resolved. So, I received recovery CD's from HP yesterday. I am going to
> > do
> > a recovery this evening. Hopefully, this will do it.
> >
> > What do you think.

>
> Beeps and black screens at boot mean it doesn't have anything to do with
> Windows, it's a hardware incompatibility or failure at a very low level.
> The beeps are error codes from the BIOS, and those you hear before the PC
> even knows that there's an OS installed.
>
> Remove all non-essential hardware, and start from there. If it doesn't
> boot reliably, consider motherboard problems, which will require
> replacement.
>
> HTH
> -pk
>
>
> > "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
> >
> >> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:5A097DCD-E2B0-4137-9792-748499F6BA27@microsoft.com...
> >> > If you install a new video card without removing the old one, will the
> >> > system
> >> > crash?
> >> >
> >> > Just curious.
> >>
> >> The answer is that the result depends on the system, but having two cards
> >> is
> >> a common configuration.
> >>
> >> Some systems have special requirements for use of two cards, and if those
> >> aren't met rather than crash, one card may not work or the system may not
> >> boot. Some cards don't like to see another specific card or brand of
> >> card
> >> in the same system and that can also lead to problems.
> >>
> >> HTH
> >> -pk
> >>
> >>

>
>
 
You could have a condition of a open trace due to heat. On circuit
boards there are interconnections or runs where the signals travel.
If you have a component that has a "Cracked" trace as the board
heats up the trace actually opens and breaks the circuit. This could
cause the BSOD, abrupt halts and the BIOS beep codes. When
the PC is first powered on the trace is cooler and the connection in
the run is completed and not open.

"Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5217BBE3-15AF-480F-A6C7-9CE1EF84D296@microsoft.com...
>I understand what you're saying, and really appreciate your input.
>However,
> the one thing I don't get is... why would the computer boot up, work for
> 10-20 minutes, then freeze, reboot or blue screen? After that... when I
> hit
> the power button, the beeping starts. No codes, just continuous beeping.
> It's driving me crazy!!
>
>
> "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
>
>> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:7411CAC4-FE16-49A2-9D70-369F30E32368@microsoft.com...
>> >A few weeks ago, my HP started freezing & blue screening. Then it was
>> > difficult to boot up... beeps & black screens. After researching my
>> > brains
>> > out, I narrowed it down to a graphics card issue. I installed an ATI
>> > Radeon
>> > HD 3650, but never removed the original card. The booting problem was
>> > never
>> > resolved. So, I received recovery CD's from HP yesterday. I am going
>> > to
>> > do
>> > a recovery this evening. Hopefully, this will do it.
>> >
>> > What do you think.

>>
>> Beeps and black screens at boot mean it doesn't have anything to do with
>> Windows, it's a hardware incompatibility or failure at a very low level.
>> The beeps are error codes from the BIOS, and those you hear before the PC
>> even knows that there's an OS installed.
>>
>> Remove all non-essential hardware, and start from there. If it doesn't
>> boot reliably, consider motherboard problems, which will require
>> replacement.
>>
>> HTH
>> -pk
>>
>>
>> > "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
>> >
>> >> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:5A097DCD-E2B0-4137-9792-748499F6BA27@microsoft.com...
>> >> > If you install a new video card without removing the old one, will
>> >> > the
>> >> > system
>> >> > crash?
>> >> >
>> >> > Just curious.
>> >>
>> >> The answer is that the result depends on the system, but having two
>> >> cards
>> >> is
>> >> a common configuration.
>> >>
>> >> Some systems have special requirements for use of two cards, and if
>> >> those
>> >> aren't met rather than crash, one card may not work or the system may
>> >> not
>> >> boot. Some cards don't like to see another specific card or brand of
>> >> card
>> >> in the same system and that can also lead to problems.
>> >>
>> >> HTH
>> >> -pk
>> >>
>> >>

>>
>>
 
That is an indication of a heat problem. Checked your fans?
"Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5217BBE3-15AF-480F-A6C7-9CE1EF84D296@microsoft.com...
>I understand what you're saying, and really appreciate your input.
>However,
> the one thing I don't get is... why would the computer boot up, work for
> 10-20 minutes, then freeze, reboot or blue screen? After that... when I
> hit
> the power button, the beeping starts. No codes, just continuous beeping.
> It's driving me crazy!!
>
>
> "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
>
>> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:7411CAC4-FE16-49A2-9D70-369F30E32368@microsoft.com...
>> >A few weeks ago, my HP started freezing & blue screening. Then it was
>> > difficult to boot up... beeps & black screens. After researching my
>> > brains
>> > out, I narrowed it down to a graphics card issue. I installed an ATI
>> > Radeon
>> > HD 3650, but never removed the original card. The booting problem was
>> > never
>> > resolved. So, I received recovery CD's from HP yesterday. I am going
>> > to
>> > do
>> > a recovery this evening. Hopefully, this will do it.
>> >
>> > What do you think.

>>
>> Beeps and black screens at boot mean it doesn't have anything to do with
>> Windows, it's a hardware incompatibility or failure at a very low level.
>> The beeps are error codes from the BIOS, and those you hear before the PC
>> even knows that there's an OS installed.
>>
>> Remove all non-essential hardware, and start from there. If it doesn't
>> boot reliably, consider motherboard problems, which will require
>> replacement.
>>
>> HTH
>> -pk
>>
>>
>> > "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
>> >
>> >> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:5A097DCD-E2B0-4137-9792-748499F6BA27@microsoft.com...
>> >> > If you install a new video card without removing the old one, will
>> >> > the
>> >> > system
>> >> > crash?
>> >> >
>> >> > Just curious.
>> >>
>> >> The answer is that the result depends on the system, but having two
>> >> cards
>> >> is
>> >> a common configuration.
>> >>
>> >> Some systems have special requirements for use of two cards, and if
>> >> those
>> >> aren't met rather than crash, one card may not work or the system may
>> >> not
>> >> boot. Some cards don't like to see another specific card or brand of
>> >> card
>> >> in the same system and that can also lead to problems.
>> >>
>> >> HTH
>> >> -pk
>> >>
>> >>

>>
>>
 
Fans are running.

"Unknown" wrote:

> That is an indication of a heat problem. Checked your fans?
> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:5217BBE3-15AF-480F-A6C7-9CE1EF84D296@microsoft.com...
> >I understand what you're saying, and really appreciate your input.
> >However,
> > the one thing I don't get is... why would the computer boot up, work for
> > 10-20 minutes, then freeze, reboot or blue screen? After that... when I
> > hit
> > the power button, the beeping starts. No codes, just continuous beeping.
> > It's driving me crazy!!
> >
> >
> > "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
> >
> >> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:7411CAC4-FE16-49A2-9D70-369F30E32368@microsoft.com...
> >> >A few weeks ago, my HP started freezing & blue screening. Then it was
> >> > difficult to boot up... beeps & black screens. After researching my
> >> > brains
> >> > out, I narrowed it down to a graphics card issue. I installed an ATI
> >> > Radeon
> >> > HD 3650, but never removed the original card. The booting problem was
> >> > never
> >> > resolved. So, I received recovery CD's from HP yesterday. I am going
> >> > to
> >> > do
> >> > a recovery this evening. Hopefully, this will do it.
> >> >
> >> > What do you think.
> >>
> >> Beeps and black screens at boot mean it doesn't have anything to do with
> >> Windows, it's a hardware incompatibility or failure at a very low level.
> >> The beeps are error codes from the BIOS, and those you hear before the PC
> >> even knows that there's an OS installed.
> >>
> >> Remove all non-essential hardware, and start from there. If it doesn't
> >> boot reliably, consider motherboard problems, which will require
> >> replacement.
> >>
> >> HTH
> >> -pk
> >>
> >>
> >> > "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:5A097DCD-E2B0-4137-9792-748499F6BA27@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > If you install a new video card without removing the old one, will
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > system
> >> >> > crash?
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Just curious.
> >> >>
> >> >> The answer is that the result depends on the system, but having two
> >> >> cards
> >> >> is
> >> >> a common configuration.
> >> >>
> >> >> Some systems have special requirements for use of two cards, and if
> >> >> those
> >> >> aren't met rather than crash, one card may not work or the system may
> >> >> not
> >> >> boot. Some cards don't like to see another specific card or brand of
> >> >> card
> >> >> in the same system and that can also lead to problems.
> >> >>
> >> >> HTH
> >> >> -pk
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>

>
>
>
 
"Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5217BBE3-15AF-480F-A6C7-9CE1EF84D296@microsoft.com...
>I understand what you're saying, and really appreciate your input.
>However,
> the one thing I don't get is... why would the computer boot up, work for
> 10-20 minutes, then freeze, reboot or blue screen? After that... when I
> hit
> the power button, the beeping starts. No codes, just continuous beeping.
> It's driving me crazy!!


Hardware failure. This is extremely difficult to track down without
expensive test gear and a full set of replacement parts and a lot of time
and specialized knowledge.

You can try removing all non-essential components and detaching all
peripherals except for keyboard, monitor and mouse. Remove that second
card. If the problem persists, you know that none of those components are
at fault, and you're probably looking at motherboard, processor, or memory
defect or damage. Again, it will be difficult to identify what component
is failing.

You may find that you come to the point where you should look at replacing
the system. As an option, you may well find that used HP 3gHz P4 systems
can be had for a little over $200.

HTH
-pk


>
> "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
>
>> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:7411CAC4-FE16-49A2-9D70-369F30E32368@microsoft.com...
>> >A few weeks ago, my HP started freezing & blue screening. Then it was
>> > difficult to boot up... beeps & black screens. After researching my
>> > brains
>> > out, I narrowed it down to a graphics card issue. I installed an ATI
>> > Radeon
>> > HD 3650, but never removed the original card. The booting problem was
>> > never
>> > resolved. So, I received recovery CD's from HP yesterday. I am going
>> > to
>> > do
>> > a recovery this evening. Hopefully, this will do it.
>> >
>> > What do you think.

>>
>> Beeps and black screens at boot mean it doesn't have anything to do with
>> Windows, it's a hardware incompatibility or failure at a very low level.
>> The beeps are error codes from the BIOS, and those you hear before the PC
>> even knows that there's an OS installed.
>>
>> Remove all non-essential hardware, and start from there. If it doesn't
>> boot reliably, consider motherboard problems, which will require
>> replacement.
>>
>> HTH
>> -pk
>>
>>
>> > "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
>> >
>> >> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:5A097DCD-E2B0-4137-9792-748499F6BA27@microsoft.com...
>> >> > If you install a new video card without removing the old one, will
>> >> > the
>> >> > system
>> >> > crash?
>> >> >
>> >> > Just curious.
>> >>
>> >> The answer is that the result depends on the system, but having two
>> >> cards
>> >> is
>> >> a common configuration.
>> >>
>> >> Some systems have special requirements for use of two cards, and if
>> >> those
>> >> aren't met rather than crash, one card may not work or the system may
>> >> not
>> >> boot. Some cards don't like to see another specific card or brand of
>> >> card
>> >> in the same system and that can also lead to problems.
>> >>
>> >> HTH
>> >> -pk
>> >>
>> >>

>>
>>
 
Regarding "... No codes, just continuous beeping. It's driving me
crazy!!..." - the beeping is the code - for instance "one" short beep on
boot means the power on test pased - something like "3" short and "1' long
beep - no keyboard.

Google ( or the BIOS site) for deciphering .

"Patrick Keenan" <test@dev.null> wrote in message
news:%23QFmfgB8IHA.4864@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:5217BBE3-15AF-480F-A6C7-9CE1EF84D296@microsoft.com...
>>I understand what you're saying, and really appreciate your input.
>>However,
>> the one thing I don't get is... why would the computer boot up, work for
>> 10-20 minutes, then freeze, reboot or blue screen? After that... when I
>> hit
>> the power button, the beeping starts. No codes, just continuous beeping.
>> It's driving me crazy!!

>
> Hardware failure. This is extremely difficult to track down without
> expensive test gear and a full set of replacement parts and a lot of time
> and specialized knowledge.
>
> You can try removing all non-essential components and detaching all
> peripherals except for keyboard, monitor and mouse. Remove that second
> card. If the problem persists, you know that none of those components are
> at fault, and you're probably looking at motherboard, processor, or memory
> defect or damage. Again, it will be difficult to identify what
> component is failing.
>
> You may find that you come to the point where you should look at replacing
> the system. As an option, you may well find that used HP 3gHz P4
> systems can be had for a little over $200.
>
> HTH
> -pk
>
>
>>
>> "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
>>
>>> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> news:7411CAC4-FE16-49A2-9D70-369F30E32368@microsoft.com...
>>> >A few weeks ago, my HP started freezing & blue screening. Then it was
>>> > difficult to boot up... beeps & black screens. After researching my
>>> > brains
>>> > out, I narrowed it down to a graphics card issue. I installed an ATI
>>> > Radeon
>>> > HD 3650, but never removed the original card. The booting problem was
>>> > never
>>> > resolved. So, I received recovery CD's from HP yesterday. I am going
>>> > to
>>> > do
>>> > a recovery this evening. Hopefully, this will do it.
>>> >
>>> > What do you think.
>>>
>>> Beeps and black screens at boot mean it doesn't have anything to do with
>>> Windows, it's a hardware incompatibility or failure at a very low level.
>>> The beeps are error codes from the BIOS, and those you hear before the
>>> PC
>>> even knows that there's an OS installed.
>>>
>>> Remove all non-essential hardware, and start from there. If it
>>> doesn't
>>> boot reliably, consider motherboard problems, which will require
>>> replacement.
>>>
>>> HTH
>>> -pk
>>>
>>>
>>> > "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> "Phillip944" <Phillip944@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> >> news:5A097DCD-E2B0-4137-9792-748499F6BA27@microsoft.com...
>>> >> > If you install a new video card without removing the old one, will
>>> >> > the
>>> >> > system
>>> >> > crash?
>>> >> >
>>> >> > Just curious.
>>> >>
>>> >> The answer is that the result depends on the system, but having two
>>> >> cards
>>> >> is
>>> >> a common configuration.
>>> >>
>>> >> Some systems have special requirements for use of two cards, and if
>>> >> those
>>> >> aren't met rather than crash, one card may not work or the system may
>>> >> not
>>> >> boot. Some cards don't like to see another specific card or brand
>>> >> of
>>> >> card
>>> >> in the same system and that can also lead to problems.
>>> >>
>>> >> HTH
>>> >> -pk
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>>
>>>

>
 
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