Okay, first off, let me apologize for not getting back on this thread sooner. Real-life situations have been getting in the way...
I ended up getting a "Zotak ION" video card (which is an NVIDIA 512 meg that is made for the x1 slot) & tried EVERYTHING to get it to work. I got all kinds of suggestions from here & other forums... all to no avail. Kept getting blue screen of death....
But I found a solution!
After I bought this sweet Studio XPS 9100 from Dell a few weeks ago & got it all set-up, I formatted the hard drives in the Dimension 3100. Then with everything erased, before proceeding any further, I installed the ION video card, and reinstalled WinXP, and now the ol' Dimension is cruisin' w/ very decent graphics!
I realize this is a drastic way of getting a video card to work, but it was worth it to me. Weigh your options....
The problem wasn't in the BIOS, as it was & is set on default. Formating the hard drive(s), installing the card, then reinstalling Windows did the trick. My Zotac ION appeared new out of the box. I had to add the adapter bracket to make it fit in the Dimension 3100. It is working great, and there is a very notable difference in performance... I play "World of Warcraft", and with the stock Dimension 3100 video, all of Warcraft's video settings were turned all the way down, yet game kept seizing-up. Now, with the ION card, Warcraft's recommended settings are all about halfway up, and it runs butter smooth.
Like I said before... formating a hard drive is a radical solution, but it sure did work.
I believe you should return the card and ask for a refund. According to the eVGA spec sheet (found here: eVGA 9600GT PCI), the card is manufactured to PCI version 2.1. The PCI standard for the Dimension 3100 is version 2.3 (See your users guide, page 99). The difference between these two standards is the voltage used to transmit the signals between the card and the computer. Version 2.1 of the PCI standard allows 5 volt signaling, while version 2.3 recognizes only 3.3 volt signaling. The computer is locking up because the card is drawing too much power on the data bus pins.
Thanks Jack. If what you're saying is correct, then why is Dell recommending this video card for my computer?
I just got a DVI to AGP adapter from a buddy and tried that... same results. I also tried running a small version of Linux, but it wouldn't allow any resolution over 800X600-16 thru the EVGA card.
I also called EVGA's technical support line... the guy was insistent that it has to be a problem with my onboard video driver, and took my email address so he can sent me info on how to disable it (but no email has come, and I've tried this already anyway...).
I have been trying to get this card to work for 3 days now... I think you are right Jack... I think I'll just send the damn thing back.
I do have one additional suggestion; if you have added memory, try removing anything more than 1 GB and try again. The Dell manual indicates that the computer was designed to handle a maximum of 2 GB of memory, even though the chipset used in the computer is capable of handling 4 GB. The video card memory must be mapped into the address space of the computer, and if you have one of the cards containing 1 GB of RAM there might be a conflict.
You're very welcome. With regard to the card, however, all I can say is horse feathers! I'm very sorry it didn't work out.
If you examine the card you will see that there are two key slots cut into the board. This is the signature of what is supposed to be a universal PCI card that can work with either a 3.3 or a 5 volt bus. Any card you select for the Dimension 3100 should have these two key slots. There are cards out there that will work with your machine. You might want to try PNY to see if they can do it better.
The Dimension 3100 has a PCIe X1 slot. Since the PCIe is allegedly so much faster than the standard PCI slot, I am wondering if a smaller (like 128 or 256 meg) PCIe X1 would be worth it. What I mean is, would a 256 meg PCIe card be as fast as a much bigger PCI card?
It seems that the X1 standard wasn't popular, as I haven't seen too many cards out there for it, and the ones I do see seem to be in the 128 or 256 meg range, and are a bit pricey.
I really like this Dimension 3100. It has been an outstanding computer, and I am simply wanting to play some more upbeat games on it. I don't need flawless graphics with all the settings maxed-out, but I would like to be able to play some more modern games with decent frame rates.
If anyone can recommend a good PCIe X1 card that would fit the bill, I'd appreciate it. Meanwhile my search continues....
That is an excellent idea, and I should have suggested it. Nearly any of them will be better than the on-board you are using now. Check these out: PCI-e X1 Video.
Hi Fredzeppelin when you added ram to your mobo slots. Did you do this.
When adding the graphics card, did you first disable Intel Integrated graphics in device manager, then restart PC. Then add card, then install drivers for graphics card.
Also did you do a PC hardware diagnostics test,
Turn on (or restart) your computer. 2 When the DELL™ logo appears, press immediately.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. Then shut down your computer (see page 57) and try again.
3 When the boot device list appears, highlight Boot to Utility Partition and press .
4 When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run.
Do Express test.
Use the DVI port with the DVI to VGA adapter to see if you get any picture. Don't use the VGA only port.
Hi Fredzeppelin when you added ram to your mobo slots. Did you do this.
Use the DVI port with the DVI to VGA adapter to see if you get any picture. Don't use the VGA only port.
When adding the graphics card, did you first disable Intel Integrated graphics in device manager, then restart PC. Then add card, then install drivers for graphics card.
Also did you do a PC hardware diagnostics test,
Turn on (or restart) your computer. 2 When the DELL™ logo appears, press immediately.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. Then shut down your computer (see page 57) and try again.
3 When the boot device list appears, highlight Boot to Utility Partition and press .
4 When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run.
The list I posted are not upgrades validated/tested by Dell. They are upgrades done by customers.
If you upgraded your video card and/or power supply on a Dell PC, I need the following sent to me in a private message - PC Model Replacement video card Replacement power supply
FredZeppelin
2 Intern
•
32 Posts
1
March 20th, 2011 17:00
Okay, first off, let me apologize for not getting back on this thread sooner. Real-life situations have been getting in the way...
I ended up getting a "Zotak ION" video card (which is an NVIDIA 512 meg that is made for the x1 slot) & tried EVERYTHING to get it to work. I got all kinds of suggestions from here & other forums... all to no avail. Kept getting blue screen of death....
But I found a solution!
After I bought this sweet Studio XPS 9100 from Dell a few weeks ago & got it all set-up, I formatted the hard drives in the Dimension 3100. Then with everything erased, before proceeding any further, I installed the ION video card, and reinstalled WinXP, and now the ol' Dimension is cruisin' w/ very decent graphics!
I realize this is a drastic way of getting a video card to work, but it was worth it to me. Weigh your options....
FredZeppelin
2 Intern
•
32 Posts
1
March 30th, 2011 16:00
The problem wasn't in the BIOS, as it was & is set on default. Formating the hard drive(s), installing the card, then reinstalling Windows did the trick. My Zotac ION appeared new out of the box. I had to add the adapter bracket to make it fit in the Dimension 3100. It is working great, and there is a very notable difference in performance... I play "World of Warcraft", and with the stock Dimension 3100 video, all of Warcraft's video settings were turned all the way down, yet game kept seizing-up. Now, with the ION card, Warcraft's recommended settings are all about halfway up, and it runs butter smooth.
Like I said before... formating a hard drive is a radical solution, but it sure did work.
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
July 15th, 2010 15:00
I believe you should return the card and ask for a refund. According to the eVGA spec sheet (found here: eVGA 9600GT PCI), the card is manufactured to PCI version 2.1. The PCI standard for the Dimension 3100 is version 2.3 (See your users guide, page 99). The difference between these two standards is the voltage used to transmit the signals between the card and the computer. Version 2.1 of the PCI standard allows 5 volt signaling, while version 2.3 recognizes only 3.3 volt signaling. The computer is locking up because the card is drawing too much power on the data bus pins.
FredZeppelin
2 Intern
•
32 Posts
0
July 15th, 2010 20:00
Thanks Jack. If what you're saying is correct, then why is Dell recommending this video card for my computer?
I just got a DVI to AGP adapter from a buddy and tried that... same results. I also tried running a small version of Linux, but it wouldn't allow any resolution over 800X600-16 thru the EVGA card.
I also called EVGA's technical support line... the guy was insistent that it has to be a problem with my onboard video driver, and took my email address so he can sent me info on how to disable it (but no email has come, and I've tried this already anyway...).
I have been trying to get this card to work for 3 days now... I think you are right Jack... I think I'll just send the damn thing back.
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
July 15th, 2010 23:00
I do have one additional suggestion; if you have added memory, try removing anything more than 1 GB and try again. The Dell manual indicates that the computer was designed to handle a maximum of 2 GB of memory, even though the chipset used in the computer is capable of handling 4 GB. The video card memory must be mapped into the address space of the computer, and if you have one of the cards containing 1 GB of RAM there might be a conflict.
FredZeppelin
2 Intern
•
32 Posts
0
July 16th, 2010 05:00
Yes... I have 2 GB of memory installed.... I will remove 1 GB and see what happens..... thanks again Jack.
FredZeppelin
2 Intern
•
32 Posts
0
July 16th, 2010 15:00
Well, I removed 1 GB of memory, disabled my onboard video driver, installed the EVGA card, and guess what?
Same problem.... same error message.
So, I have removed the card and placed it back in it's box, and contacted Dell for instructions on how to return it and get my money back.
Thanks again, Jack.
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
July 16th, 2010 22:00
You're very welcome. With regard to the card, however, all I can say is horse feathers! I'm very sorry it didn't work out.
If you examine the card you will see that there are two key slots cut into the board. This is the signature of what is supposed to be a universal PCI card that can work with either a 3.3 or a 5 volt bus. Any card you select for the Dimension 3100 should have these two key slots. There are cards out there that will work with your machine. You might want to try PNY to see if they can do it better.
Jeff Hoffman
2 Intern
•
881 Posts
0
July 16th, 2010 23:00
The language on the forums has gotten completely out of hand!!!
Jeff
FredZeppelin
2 Intern
•
32 Posts
0
July 17th, 2010 03:00
The Dimension 3100 has a PCIe X1 slot. Since the PCIe is allegedly so much faster than the standard PCI slot, I am wondering if a smaller (like 128 or 256 meg) PCIe X1 would be worth it. What I mean is, would a 256 meg PCIe card be as fast as a much bigger PCI card?
It seems that the X1 standard wasn't popular, as I haven't seen too many cards out there for it, and the ones I do see seem to be in the 128 or 256 meg range, and are a bit pricey.
I really like this Dimension 3100. It has been an outstanding computer, and I am simply wanting to play some more upbeat games on it. I don't need flawless graphics with all the settings maxed-out, but I would like to be able to play some more modern games with decent frame rates.
If anyone can recommend a good PCIe X1 card that would fit the bill, I'd appreciate it. Meanwhile my search continues....
Thanks again!
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
July 17th, 2010 09:00
That is an excellent idea, and I should have suggested it. Nearly any of them will be better than the on-board you are using now. Check these out: PCI-e X1 Video.
FredZeppelin
2 Intern
•
32 Posts
0
July 18th, 2010 07:00
I am taking my time... gonna be more patient and do more research before I make a decision.
I'll let you know what card I get, and if it works. It will definitely be a PCIe X1 card...
Thanks again!
:emotion-15:
electromagnetic
556 Posts
0
August 4th, 2010 17:00
Hi Fredzeppelin when you added ram to your mobo slots. Did you do this.
When adding the graphics card, did you first disable Intel Integrated graphics in device manager, then restart PC. Then add card, then install drivers for graphics card.
Also did you do a PC hardware diagnostics test,
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
2 When the DELL™ logo appears, press immediately.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the
Microsoft® Windows® desktop. Then shut down your computer (see page 57) and try again.
3 When the boot device list appears, highlight Boot to Utility Partition and press .
4 When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run.
Do Express test.
Use the DVI port with the DVI to VGA adapter to see if you get any picture. Don't use the VGA only port.
electromagnetic
556 Posts
0
August 4th, 2010 17:00
Hi Fredzeppelin when you added ram to your mobo slots. Did you do this.
Use the DVI port with the DVI to VGA adapter to see if you get any picture. Don't use the VGA only port.
When adding the graphics card, did you first disable Intel Integrated graphics in device manager, then restart PC. Then add card, then install drivers for graphics card.
Also did you do a PC hardware diagnostics test,
Turn on (or restart) your computer.
2 When the DELL™ logo appears, press immediately.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the
Microsoft® Windows® desktop. Then shut down your computer (see page 57) and try again.
3 When the boot device list appears, highlight Boot to Utility Partition and press .
4 When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run.
Do Express test.
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
•
56.9K Posts
0
August 5th, 2010 08:00
FredZeppelin,
The list I posted are not upgrades validated/tested by Dell. They are upgrades done by customers.
If you upgraded your video card and/or power supply on a Dell PC, I need the following sent to me in a private message -
PC Model
Replacement video card
Replacement power supply