Start a Conversation
UNSOLVED

chrisevans25

updated

22 years ago

Closed

C

chrisevans25

13 Posts

0

22522

December 24th, 2004 14:00

Upgrading video card

How do I know if a video card will work in my computer?  I have an Inspiron 5100 and want to upgrade the video card (like the Radeon 9800).  How complicated is it to do this?
  • R

    RedsB3

    106 Posts

    814

    0

    Posted December 24th, 2004 15:00

    Not possible.  Notebooks are not like desktops, you can't just upgrade the video card to anything that is on market.  The only possible upgrades you can make is if a better card was available on your particular model when it was built.  Sorry, but I don't know what choices were available when the 5100 was built, perhaps someone else can supply you with that info.
  • E

    ejn63

    11 Legend

    •

    87468 Posts

    •

    321253 Points

    814

    0

    Posted December 24th, 2004 15:00

    The top card for your chassis is the Radeon 9000 64M. There is nothing beyond that in a format that is compatible with your system.
  • R

    RRules

    306 Posts

    835

    0

    Posted December 24th, 2004 16:00

    Call dell spare parts and say you need a Radeon 9000 64MB for the inspiron 5150. (the 5100 and 5150 share the same video card form factor) It costs $125.00 and you will need to install it yourself. Be careful installing it because anything you break will void your warranty. Also upgrade to the newest BIOS before installing the card.

    Here are instructions on how to install the card: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins5100/en/sm/palmrest.htm#1105456
  • N

    NemesisDB

    2 Intern

    •

    7944 Posts

    835

    0

    Posted December 24th, 2004 20:00

    upgrade to the second newest bios ... A32 will cause too many heat problems with the m9
  • E

    entranced

    11 Posts

    835

    0

    Posted December 26th, 2004 14:00

    > upgrade to the second newest bios ... A32 will cause too many heat problems with the m9


    Is it OK to go from a higher BIOS version back to a lower version, or can that cause some problems? I already have A32 installed.
  • N

    NemesisDB

    2 Intern

    •

    7944 Posts

    835

    0

    Posted December 26th, 2004 16:00

    the process for downflashing is the same ...   you can go up or down -- you just can't go below A22
  • D

    DAButcher

    4 Posts

    835

    0

    Posted December 27th, 2004 05:00

    I am also interested in upgrading the video card in my Inspiron 5100. I checked out the page suggested for upgrading and it also mentioned another page to go to first
    which states the following:
     
    Recommended Tools

    The procedures in this manual require the following tools:

    • #1 Phillips screwdriver

    • ¼-inch flat-blade screwdriver

    • Small plastic scribe

    • Hex nut driver

    • Flash BIOS update program CD

    What I would like to know, is it necessary to have the Flash BIOS update program CD to do a video card upgrade, and do you have to be a Dell technician to get one?

  • N

    NemesisDB

    2 Intern

    •

    7944 Posts

    835

    0

    Posted December 27th, 2004 06:00

    you need a fairly recent bios revision in order to support the mobility 9000.  i'm not sure of the exact number but it's somewhere in the mid to high 20s.  if you are below A22 you will need to first flash to A22 and this flash *must* be done with a CD or floppy (or USB card I suppose).  once that flash is complete you can flash to A31 with the hard-drive method if your system is stable, or do another flash on a cd/floppy
  • D

    DAButcher

    4 Posts

    835

    0

    Posted December 27th, 2004 18:00

    Thanks for the info. One more question - this may sound silly, but - where do I find out what version BIOS is currently installed on my computer?
  • N

    NemesisDB

    2 Intern

    •

    7944 Posts

    220

    0

    Posted December 27th, 2004 19:00

    it usually says the revision when you see the dell splash screen when you first start up (A22 for instance).   you can also try clicking start, click run, and typing msinfo32 -- Bios version should be under system summary

Dell Support Resources

Latest Solutions

View More