I just installed Windows 7 on an older machine and I'm having the common problem where windows doesn't recognize my Nvidia graphics card (Geforce MX/MX 400).
The nvidia site only offers driver in the Geforce 4 MX series (I'm assuming that's the right one) for Windows XP, no Win7 no Vista. Should I try to install those drivers or should I look for a new graphics card?
Go ahead and install the XP drivers. You may need to run them in compatibility mode.
Compatibility Mode
Just note, your results are not guaranteed. There is a chance the card simply is not compatible.
The card is not compatible, it's time to get a new card.
Ok thanks. I suspected that the card wouldn't be compatible it must be 5-6 years old. Any advice on buying a decent, not expensive graphic card that is compatible?
Closer to 10 years old.
Before making any recommendations would help to know the rest of the system specs. If the rest of the system is of a similar vintage as the video card, then it wouldn't be worth getting a new card as the card would be worth more than the entire computer.
Is your card AGP or PCI? It's possible to get both PCI and AGP cards that fully support Windows 7. (For starters, I suggest going to www.newegg.com and using their power search for video cards. That's a useful resource even if you can't or won't do business with Newegg.)
If you have a PCI card, and you decide to upgrade it, be sure to NOT get a PCI-Express card. While the name of the interface is similar, the hardware is completely different (physically and electrically incompatible).
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