So Frustrating!

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I recently purchased a new computer. It is supposed to be up to date,
lots of memory, etc. While I am no computer expert, I expected to be
able to do lots of things on it.

I just tried to sign up for Second Life, and found that my video card is
inadequate for this. So I called tech support at Dell, and got some
idiot who couldn't understand the most basic questions. He started
telling me to go back to the Second Life website and ask them. I told
him that Second Life could not provide tech support for my computer,
because they hadn't sold it to me. Dell did. I did check back at the
Second Life website, and saw that they were specifying specific kinds
of video cards, so I called Dell again later, and the next guy told me I
would have to buy a new video card. I asked if this new
card would be compatible with my current set up, but he never did tell
me.
Finally, if I do end up buying a new video card, I have no idea how to
put it in the computer. Any ideas, suggestions?

WEAR SHOES WHILE DOING THIS THAT HAVE RUBBER SOLES TO STOP STATIC ELECTRICITY AND TURN OFF THEN UNPLUG COMPUTER BEFORE STARTING THIS.

putting in a video card is quite easy actually. As long as the computer is readily accessible, dells open pretty quickly. Once you have the cover off, you will match the video cards bottom to a port on the motherboard that is long enough to hold it. you'll should only need a phillips screwdriver(the X kind) and about 7 mins if you take your time. Holding by the metal end, You'll place the card in the port and screw it down against the back of the computer(better understood once you see the card) so it secures its connection. Then you switch the monitor cord from the motherboard's previous spot to your new video card's connection. Put back on the cover, plug it in, turn it on, and enjoy. As long as the computer is unplugged and you wear shoes that have rubber bottoms(boots, running shoes, anything outdoors ready really) you will have minimal risk and maximum reward. Hope this helps.

what computer model do you have?

I have an Inspiron 530.

The problem with video cards is that quite often the software will simply check for your card on a list, and if it's not there, it tells you your card is not good enough.

So, even if you have a superior card or one that will easily chug through whatever the software requires of it, it still will assume that the card is a dud, because it's not on the list. Really bad program designs won't even let you attempt to run their program with an unapproved card.

But assuming that you do need to upgrade (and seeing as you bought the new card, that's the more palatable assumption) it is easy to install if you know what you're doing. If you really don't know, or are not technically minded, it might be a good idea to get someone who knows a bit more to do it for you. You don't want to accidentally bend something down or break something off that can't be repaired.

If you do have a fairly good grasp of technical construction like this, check out YouTube for some videos perhaps.

That's what happened, when I tried to run Second Life. I got a warning that continuing without one of the cards on their list would cause my system to crash. But how do I know if that's true? I mean, I watch full length movies on my computer, with no problem. And it's only a few months old, purchased brand new.

I haven't purchased a new video card yet. Seemed silly to spend about 100.00 dollars for a new card, just because they say so, and just for one program that I might lose interest in. Especially having so recently shelled out for a new computer!

lower the settings (in the Start menu look for the game folder, there should be a settings there) and try running it.

I'm not sure what you mean by lowering settings. I checked something called the Base Score, and it says my computer is at a 3.3, whatever that means.

Baring rubber soles, do it barefoot and nude. I've built computers in the nude to avoid static.

You can also buy a 10 dollar static strap where ever you got your card.

Secondlife simply wont start for some cards, even though it will work with those. I am out of touch with it now, but I hand edited some files to fool it.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BopjXneo8e4[/youtube]

Youtube is full of help for you.

Thank you for all the tips, guys. I am not sure if will invest in a new video card yet. I am going to try to run Second Life on what I have first. If it doesn't work, then I will look into a purchase. It's good to know that I won't have to pay someone to put it in, if I decide to get it. BTW, has anyone tried to run Second Life, using an Intel (R)633/631 Express Chipset family card? That's the one Second Life says not to use.

games are the most demanding of affordable software (we won't go into high-end graphics art and cad programs.... Whatever you want, they want more.

It's probably something you can do. however, before you get the hardware installed, make sure you have the software available. You should get it with the card, but you'd be suprised; sometimes you have to go to the web site to find a driver upgrade. Cross that bridge if you come to it.

if you do want it done en deshabille, you can (strangely enough, bomb makers in Palestine do their work in the nude, which has lead to some very strange autopsies of those who weren't careful enough...the things they report on nowadays), but if you get a shock somewhere you don't want, don't say we didn't warn ye...

You can get around this by using a 'antistatic strap', which you can buy at any electronics supply place, or even computer supply places. They're cheap, and incovenient. (you have a long cable going from the chassis to your wrist)

I go for building computers myself. DO NOT BELEIVE THE CRAP THAT COMPANIES THROW AT YOU.
It is impossible for a commercial company to produce "top-of-the-line" computers. Not only that but throw an extreme price tag on crap.

It cost me all together $1,000 for this one. Runs games like Crysis at max settings, AA, AF, Resolution at 15-30 FPS.

I recommend AMD/ATI above all else. Intel and NVIDIA may be more expensive, more advertised, larger companies, but they both produce second-rate hardware. AMD/ATI is a lot cheaper and performance is even greater. In the past, Intel played the MHz game. MHz isn't exactly how fast a processor is. It is only half of it. It has to do with how many steps a processor has to take for each problem. If you notice on system requirements. the AMD requirements are generally much lower than Intel. Looking at today, it isn't all that hard to reach 6.5 GHz with an AMD chip.

Also note that Intel has yet to make a quad core chip. Intel can only produce dual cores and immitate quad by saying that one core is two (2 physical cores = 4 virtual cores). AMD has true 4 physical cores. Not 2, but 4! They could program those cores to run two virtual cores. But LOL what is the point? Virtual doesn't mean squat. It is merely fake divisions of the physical.

NVIDIA is crapping out in the AA, AF, and rendering departments as well.....

When it comes to commercial businesses.

Only buy from Alienware....
Generally they cost from 800-5000

But for best results for cheap prices, build it yourself.

You have no idea what you are talking about, dont you? Intel has had desktop quad core cpus for years. In fact, you can get server CPUs with 6. Thats the xenon series. I was considering one when I still played second life.

http://www.intel.com/Consumer/Learn/Des ... e|f7B726|s

I placed a quad core 2.4 ghz in my brothers computer over 2 years ago. socket 775 is intel, right?



This part I agree with.

Has anyone ever purchased and used an ATI Radeon HD 4550 for Second Life? This is one of the cards recommended at that site. either that, or XFX GeForce 9600.

Is static still a problem, even if the computer is turned off and unplugged?