In this article you will learn how to get most out of your graphics card by installing new drivers and tweaking Windows. The guide is based around Windows XP Professional Edition but you can use same guide to tweak other Windows operating systems.

Step 1.

The first thing you need to know what graphics card you are using. The most popular graphics card companies are nVidia and ATi. Both these companies have an excellent range of products and offer excellent service. Once you know what graphics card you are using, then head over to companies website where you can download latest drivers.

Drivers are software that runs your graphics card, printer or scanner correctly. Being up to date with drivers will help solve issues that may arise with modern PC games. Just recently I had to update my drivers to fix a problem I had with a game I recently purchased, and this solved my problem.

OK once you have downloaded your drivers for your graphics card make sure you create a restore point using utility System Restore. This can be done my click Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools and then System Restore. Then follow on screen instructions to create restore point. By doing this it makes sure that if a problem occurs after you installed new drivers, you can return to restore point to see if problem is drivers you installed.

When you look inside any open computer,see if you can locate Video Card.Is your video card mounted in an adapter slot or is it integrated onto motherboard.If card is motherboard integrated,locate jumpers that will allow card to be disabled should you need to install another card.

The Monitor is second component in video display and it must be compatible with your video card.Be sure maximumn resolution of your video card and monitor are same.Its even better to your a higher resolution display on your monitor.

Go to http://www.ultimatepcrepair.com/photos.html to see a video card in an adapter slot and one that is motherboard mounted. Follow these procedures to correct any type of video display malfunction.

NOTHING ON THE MONITOR

As we first mentioned,chack brightness and contrast buttons on monitor to be sure they are not turned down. Yea,we know.This sounds a little silly to think this could be overlokked,but believe me,it really does.

And while we're talking about simple checks,be sure monitor is receiving power.If power indicator light is out,remove power cable and look for any bent or broken pins or connectors.

Try to reboot computer one or two times to be sure system did not just lock up.If nothing happens,replace cable with a known good cable to prove that wall outlet or surge protector has power.

If monitor has power but nothing is on screen, check data cable going into rear of computer. Be sure cable is secure.If it is,Turn power off to system unit,remove cable and look for broken, loose,or bent pins.

Finally,if you're blessed enough to have two computers, exchange monitor with a good monitor to see if it works.Replace old monitor if new monitor works. If new monitor fail as well,remove system cover to inspect Video Card.

MONITOR WORKS BUT NO DISPLAY