Major help needed for novice please somebody!!!

[DeaconFrost]

I think the AVERAGE computer user just selects a computer based on their needs and price point sensitivity.

I understand what you mean, but your comments also mesh with what I'm saying. The video card is part of your "needs to be considered".

 

[marsmimar]

I think the AVERAGE computer user just selects a computer based on their needs and price point sensitivity.

I understand what you mean, but your comments also mesh with what I'm saying. The video card is part of your "needs to be considered".

Also not trying to bash anyone but it's kinda like buying a car. I know I have an automatic transmission but darned if I know what specific make or model.

I also read in one of the earlier posts that GPU-Z wouldn't work. What about SPECCY from Piriform?

Speccy - System Information - Free Download

 

[DeaconFrost]

That's getting incredibly detailed, like knowing the brand, model, timings, etc of the actual memory chips...not the sticks. You don't need to know the brand transmission in order to use the car. A better analogy would be the engine itself. If you needed to haul something, you'd need a specific engine type (dedicated graphics card). If you just needed something good on gas for highway driving, you'd be getting a much different engine type (onboard graphics). That defines the planned use of the car. Heavy lifting, aka graphics work, gaming, would need something different than a highway commute to work, which is light use, like e-mail, Office docs, Internet, etc.

Speccy wouldn't work either, because those apps tend to read in the driver file information. That's why I lways say you should know the hardware that's in your computer, or keep your spec sheet included with it. You paid for it...why not know what you have?

 

[sygnus21]

I just posted it in another thread, but it applies here too. Why aren't people running Windows Update to get drivers they can't find? I see so many threads like this, but never see anyone suggesting Windows Update. It is much improved for Windows 7, and includes most drivers anyone would ever need. I don't get the aversion to a built-in solution?

If you absolutely must get the drivers elsewhere, all you need to do is go to the Drivers and Support section of HP's website, and put in the model number of your laptop. It will bring you to all available drivers. As for knowing what graphics chip is in there...it is your laptop, so you should either know off the top of your head, or have your original purchase documentation that will give you the specs.

+1

Though it is much preferable to get drivers directly from the manufacturer, if you can't find them, and need them, Windows Update is a wonderful place to check!!!

This is something I think I need clarity on. I see it happen a lot on here, which leads to my own confusion. When a person is shopping for a laptop, one of the many considerations is the video. Why? Because if you don't need a dedicated graphics card (based on your intended use), you pick one with onboard video to save money and battery life. I'd easily put that decision in the top five questions a person answers when choosing a laptop. Given this, it confuses me why someone wouldn't know if they had the Nvidia (more expensive) or Intel (cheaper) video in the laptop.

I'm asking this honestly, and not to bash anyone, but are people just picking computers off the shelf based on price, and not looking into the specs?

Another good point.

The obvious point to this statement is that you need to know what you have should you require help or support. That's also why it's important to keep ALL paperwork (in a safe place).

My two cents

 

[Nigsy]

I think we are getting off topic here, but, the average PC/laptop buyer goes into PC World either sees the big glossy sign that says WOW this lap top has this and costs £xxx.xx, or they say to an assistant, I need a pc that can do, x/y/z and my budget is £xxx.xx, they really don't know or care whats inside.
I think the car analogy is spot on - You may go to a dealership and say, it needs to have elecy windows, air con and a multi CD player, but do you ask the make of the CD player??

 

[DeaconFrost]

but do you ask the make of the CD player??

You're going way past the level of detail when compared to knowing what type of video card is in a computer, but yes, any car I've ever bought, I knew the exact details of the stereo, and even tested that out as well during the test drives. Why wouldn't you? If you are going to plunk down that kind of cash, why wouldn't you know what you are getting? Why not know if you have the base or upgraded stereo?

 

[Nigsy]

but do you ask the make of the CD player??

You're going way past the level of detail when compared to knowing what type of video card is in a computer, but yes, any car I've ever bought, I knew the exact details of the stereo, and even tested that out as well during the test drives. Why wouldn't you? If you are going to plunk down that kind of cash, why wouldn't you know what you are getting? Why not know if you have the base or upgraded stereo?

You need to speak to my wife - "Look it's a convertable and it's silver, I'll take it"

 

[DeaconFrost]

She sounds like my wife. She saw a Subaru Legacy and told me it was pretty. So, she's been driving a 2007 silver Subaru Legacy since Valentine's Day, 2007.

 

[corleydad]

Yes, we are pretty will off-topic but hopefully the original poster now has their answer! I don't think we should be judging someone because they don't know what video card their computer has. I don't know any statistics on laptops but I would feel pretty comfortable in saying that less than 1 of 10 laptop buyers know what video their laptop has. They go into a big box store and say I want a laptop to get on the internet, check my emails, facebook, etc. and watch videos on youtube and the clerk says this one will do all that for only $xxx and the buyers go okay i'll take that. I think that those buyers are never going to come here unless they have a problem and then stumble across this forum trying to find out what is in their laptop.

 

[DeaconFrost]

But my point is, it behooves you (scrabble word) to know what is in your system before and after you make the purchase. Even if the OP was someone who decided to let the salespeople tell him what laptop he needed and should buy, they all come with documentation that details the specs. If you aren't someone who "just knows", then that's more of a reason to keep this paperwork, as someone above mentioned.

 

[Solarstarshines]

I would purchase a system based on needs and specs because i know about gpu's cpu's ram etc so i would get something to cater to my needs since blue ray is senseless for me cause i have everything hd i would pass on that feature most people would see that as a plus to me it is useless

also looking at cpu's you'll notice they have different capabilities so i would choose something simular to my desktop i pretty much would want the same performance as my desktop because a lap top that is less then what you already use wouldnt be acceptable i want the machine i have at home on the go

that is why i would go custom some are worried about price but there are ways of getting what you want if you truly want the same performance wise also ram and program usage also makes a difference

 

[donecj123]

well its coming up as GeForce 9200m GE does this sound right?

 

[Solarstarshines]

for a laptop yes now just download the driver

 

[thefabe]

well its coming up as GeForce 9200m GE does this sound right?

In post #13 I uploaded the driver to RapidShare, all you need to do is to click on the link>then free>wait for the timer to run down> then download it.
Of course if your looking for the 32bit driver. For your 9200M GE

If you need the 64 bit driver use the Hp link on that post and select 7-64bit as your OS>expand the graphics driver folder and download it from Their.
Fabe

 

[Pixelpro]

Usually, if your card is old, there is no new drivers and therefore will NOT work with windows 7 if it cannot detect it, it seems you have a G70? i have a G61 so if it goes like so: g69 g68 g67 etc, your computer is pretty out dated, mine is only just outdated by another, usually its not a great idea to install another OS on a laptop, as it has parts like the graphics card that can't be replaced, im not really sure what you should do? 1) buy a new laptop? 2) downgrade? 3) try find some drivers 4) give up? There's not alot you can do.

And if that driver (above) doesn't work, then your sorta stuffed?

 

[donecj123]

Success!!

Dear All.....

SUCCESS!! The Fabe you have been a star and i wont hesitate in asking anyone on here for future help!!

Just to sum up the purchasing conversation....it was brought as a present by my mother who just asked for "a very good graphics card" and the average purchaser doesnt understand the finer details so trust the adviser at the shop!!

Myself personally i would have found out but there you go!!

Many thanks and problem solved...heres to no more in the future lol

Craig

 

[donecj123]

ps too many people must have clicked rapidshare link as it says 'expired'!!