Thanks for responding. That's what I told my sister to do so grateful for the confirmation!

Thanks. I'd already checked that out so all 4 are PCIe x16. Any suggestions as to which of the 4 I should buy? 3 are GDDR2 and the 4th is GDDR3, but at a good price.

I built a new computer last year and familiarized myself with components then. This info is for my sister and, with it being an older computer, I want to make sure the parts are compatible, something I didn't need to worry much with on mine! Would love to hear from someone as to what their preference would be when doing the video upgrade. Who knows, someone may even have better suggestions!

Thanks in advance for your help with this....MUCH appreciated!

BTW: MOBO: Asus A8M2N-LA

I want to upgrade this computer to enable it to play The Sims 3 and would love a little feedback regarding the video card...

Basically, specs are

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4200+

2.2 Ghz

2G PC2-4200

NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE Graphics

300W PSU

Planning to beef up PSU with 430W Thermaltake...

Video Card: game requires min 256MB -- looking at NewEgg, I've found:

- Gigabyte GeForce GV-NX72G512E2 7200 GS 256 MG $24.99

- EVGA GeForce 256-P2-N429-LR 7200 GS 256 MB $25.99

- EVGA GeForce 256-P2-N436-LX 7300 GS 256 MB $32.99

- EVGA GeForce 256-P2-N761-TR 8600 GTS 256 MB (GDDR3) $29.99 after rebate, which expires 6/30

With an older computer, I'm not wanting to get too crazy with the upgrades so would probably be happy with either 7200. With that price on the 8600, though, I would like to know if the computer could handle it or if I should leave it alone!

Thanks to everyone responding - much appreciated!

I put the Vista CD in the computer and turned on the machine. I went into BIOS and changed the boot drive to CDROM and restarted the comp. It opened up as usual then went to the screen re: Safe Mode startup. I chose Safe Mode then it asked if I wanted to boot from a CD or DVD...press any key, which I did. And nothing but black screen.

Back in March/April, you guys were really helpful when directing me to build my first computer. You guys also assured me that I was to come to this site before doing anything should I run into trouble. I know it isn't as easy or as fun to help out with these issues but I really was hoping I could come here and find people just as ready to help as before. You'll get 25 posts in an hour if you ask about GT vs GTS video but not so much with after-build mind-boggling issues!

Sorry, but I'm really frustrated with this and have no idea where to turn. I spent my savings building this computer ($2900) and now, with the economy, I've not a penny to spare so I really need to find out how to fix this without paying. I've had my computer since the latter part of April but have only had it up and running aout 4 1/2 months because of this and a bad mobo. Please please please help!

Exactly! Crucial Ballistix 2gx2 sticks. The first sticks were 2.2 and I didn't realize I needed to manually set the voltage. I started getting memory errors and crucial said this was the problem and to return them. The replacements are at 2.0v. The system defaults to 1.8V.

The problem is, I went into BIOS and increased the voltage by 0.2V but, when I saved out of the system, it says 1.92V. Wondering if I need to increase it by another 0.1V. If no one knows the answer, I can easily contact Crucial. They don't respond as fast as this group but they do respond.

Side note: I'm also having a huge problem that MS has created with some bug that pops up with updates and affects the Welcome Screen. You end up with a black screen and no way to log in. By all accounts, I'm going to have to reinstall Vista and, since I had to reinstall the day after I set up my computer because of a blue screen issue, this is my 3rd key. As you may probably guess, I am one p****d off lady!

Since I have to do a reinstall of Vista, I could use some help figuring out the best way NOT to lose everything.

First of all, if I do a clean install, what will I lose? Will I lose files like documents and games? Or do I just lose the personal settings of the OS?

If I choose to do a parallel install, (a) how is it done, and (b) how can I transfer stuff from the old to the new? This is really only an option I would choose if the clean install will erase all of my personal files.

I had to reinstall Vista the day after installing it because of an incompatible graphics pad and the reinstall actually was parallel but I don't remember doing anything different. Since it was new, I simply deleted the other version...thus the questions!

Thx!

I must assume that others have experienced this issue simply by the volume of questions via Google.

It appears there may have been a Vista update around Sept/Oct that rendered many Vista users with the above black screen. (However, it should be noted that it's been reported for over a year so it is either something that can happen with all updates OR just the way Vista responds to any issues.)

When turning the computer back on after this, the computer loads the Gigabyte screen, etc. but, when it gets to what should be the Welcome Screen, there is nothing but blackness and a white cursor. I had been getting messages about bad memory (didn't realize that my Crucial stix needed to be adjusted to 2.2V manually) so I assumed that was the problem. I sent them back to Gigabyte --- installed the new ones tonight and, you got it, same problem. Checking online I discovered this is a common and unsolved Vista issue. The only option left to me is to reinstall Vista and hope for the best. I went to MS but they want $59 +Tax to answer any questions on OS over 90-days (I installed in April but didn't actually use it until mid May because of a dead MoBo, not that it matters), but I did check out their little pre-fab answers and, while they acknowledge this issue and tell you to reinstall and something about Tfx or something or other, they claim to have fixed it with Service Pack 1. Since I built my computer from scratch and the only OS installed is the Vista Home Premium 64 bit Service Pack 1, this is obviously a falsehood.

So, anyone else with this issue? How did you handle it? Can you trace the problem so that it might be avoided in the future?

Any help or advice about this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Wow, Nero does sound as if it's a mess. Any suggestions for another burning program - I've got movies and programs to put on DVDs.

Also, any suggestions on where I can find in BIOS to input the voltage? F7 Gigabyte. There is a section above the latency bit --- something about open case??? --- that had the voltage (I think) but it seemed odd the way to possibly access it (something about it defaulting when done...but I can't remember). Anyway, it was confusing enough that I was reluctant to try. Anyone else with this do it and can tell me what to do? :)

For some odd reason I've tons of DVDs but no CD-Rs! It was on my list anyway.

As for the program, I did download a version of NERO - 7.11.10.0_all_update. I had read that NERO caused havoc for Vista users so I did not download the software that came with the DVDR. I did, however, research this and supposedly the above will work. With everything else going wrong, I've put off actually installing it. (When it rains it pours!) I was also very leary of the ISO simply because someone on the Memtest forum said that he didn't copy the picture and it ended up trashing his hardware on two laptops. Since I'm not entirely sure what is meant by picture - in the C:\P...x86)\Memtest file the icon for the .iso looks like a piece of paper - I'm kind of freaky out! Perhaps NERO will look at the ISO file and do what needs to be done?!!?

Anyway, the mods at memtest are a bit testy and keep telling people to read the FAQs (which I did and weren't that helpful) or their questions weren't the kind to be on that forum. That's why I love this place - most of the people are really, truly happy to help. Thanks!