3D Hardware Accelerator Card?

Well let's see, I have 128MB PCI Express X16 - ATI Radeon X300SE...

I've tried loading the game a 1/2 dozen times, and it never gets past the last disk.  I finally did a manual install, and still it won't run.

Ok.  Really feeling stupid now, because I'm not sure if my reply actually went through to you or not (sorry if it did and now I'm being irritating.. I shouldn't do two things at once), so I'm going to re-do. 

Appreciate the info - it's both a relief and a bummer.  I was led to believe this would be an awesome system for gaming, so to find out I don't have the high-end video card is frustrating.  And worse because I'm not sure how to fix.  I notice in the Dell Download area there is an update for my video card/utility, but seems to be specific to Service Pack 2 (which I've delayed installing because it really messed with my old system).  Would you suggest updating?  It also shows the X800 version available - could I "upgrade" in the same fashion?  Again, I appreciate your help and patience, because I'm a newbe and I'm sure it shows.  :)

Your system should run it, even with the x300.  Though you'll probably need to run the graphics on the low end.  I have the same system, but with a little better video card, and could run the Doom3 demo without problems at medium settings (still looked great).  You might want to post your problem on the Gaming board here and see if anyone else has seen that issue.

Dimension 8400
P4 530 3.0GHz, HT, 1MB L2 cache
1GB DDR2 @ 533 MHz
Gigabyte 128MB PCX-5900
160GB SATA
16x DVD-ROM & 16x DVD+RW (dual layer)
SB Live! 24-bit
19" M993s CRT

Update your BIOS to A02.

Install the new video driver.

Scan for spyware and viruses.

Then install SP2.

First off, your system IS a great one for gaming.  The only difference between your system and the XPS "gaming" rig is a larger case and a couple more fans!  The processor, mobo, type of memory are all the same. 

I had the x300 for a few weeks and didn't have any issues with it--actually thought it was a great card until I tried to run Far Cry...all my older stuff played great and newer stuff like Call of Duty looked and played very good.  There's been a lot of badmouthing of the x300 (and I'm no exception!), but until you try to play THE BIGGEST AND BADDEST graphics intensive game it does just fine--mainly based on the strength of the rest of system. 

Okay, to address your questions...Yes, update to SP2.  Don't know what problems you had before, but when I did it went fine.  BTW, upgrade your BIOS to A02 as Sawaddi suggested.  After you do that, go to the ATI site and get the video drivers from there.  The Dell video drivers usually lag a few weeks or months and the latest ones you'll find at ATI.com.

Now, if you can't live with your video card, a couple of suggestions are the Nvidia 6600 and the Radeon x700.  Both are running around $200.   Some folks on these boards have been raving about the 6600, btw.  If you want to go whole-hog, go for one of the x800 or 6800 versions...generally those are running $400+.  I personally have a 5900, but that's because it was the only PCIe card I could find in August to replace the x300 because supply was very scarce.  I like it and don't plan on upgrading until the price comes down on the x800xt.

:smileysurprised::smileyvery-happy: You've made my day!  Thank you so much for the info.  I knew I wasn't getting a "Dynmo Gaming System," but I did expect to be able to at least load/play a few!  Ha! Ha!  I don't need the biggest and the best (yet ... hee hee). 

Now all I have to do is follow everyone's advice.  First, doing anything in BIOS makes me really nervous .. if I didn't mention it before, I'm a newbee at this stuff.  Software I know ... the other stuff .. I'm a fish out of water.  I have to read, and read, and read.  Which I can do here, but, if it's a process your familiar with, could I trouble you to walk me through the process of how to update my BIOS?  :smileysurprised:

Second, you mention going to the ATI site to get the video drivers.  Are  you suggesting that I update the drivers for my existing card, or upgrade the card? 

I know - I really need to update to SP2.  My previous system was a Gateway running Microsoft ME (do I really need to say more??).  I upgraded to XP thinking it would solve a lot of my OS / networking problems - what a flop.  Finally gave up, bought a new system and now only use the Gateway as a spare.

I have to say it again - THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH - for your help and continued patience with what I'm sure are my very basic questions@@!!

:smileyvery-happy:  Small world, my last computer was a Gateway running ME too! 

From your last post it looks like you might have figured out the BIOS part.  Piece of cake, just download it to your desktop, close all programs, then run the update and the program will take care of the rest.  I've gone form A00 to A01 to A02, and last night to A03 and never had a lick of trouble. 

When I suggested going to the ATI site, it was to get the latest drivers for your x300.  All the Radeon cards use a unified driver architecture so just look for the Radeon drivers and not anything specific to your x300. 

Big tip: Go to the Dimension Video board and look at the Video FAQ.  There's a good set of step-by-step instructions for updating your video drivers.

Well it is a small world!  Your assumption was right - I updated my BIOS with no problem (thank goodness, it was time for something to be easy), updated the drivers for the X300 and loaded SP2.  Then reloaded Doom3 and ... Wa La, game on! 

I really appreciate all your help.  You gave sound advise and didn't make me feel like an idiot in the process!  :smileywink:  Have a good weekend.