Know about Video Card

What is a Video Card ?

The video card is an expansion card that allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display device such as a monitor or projector.

The Video Card is Also Known As :

• Graphics card,
• Graphics adapter,
• Video adapter

Important Video Card Facts :

Each motherboard supports only a limited range of video card formats so always check with your motherboard manufacturer before making a purchase.

Many modern computers do not have video expansion cards but instead have GPUs integrated directly onto the motherboard. This allows for a less expensive computer but also for a less powerful graphics system. This option is wise for the average business and home user not interested in advanced graphics capabilities or the latest games.

Popular Video Card Manufacturers :

• NVIDIA Corporation,

• ATI Technologies,
• Matrox

Note: These companies actually manufacture the processors, called graphics processing units (GPUs), that operate the video card. Many other companies utilize these processors in their particular brands of video cards.

Video Card Description :
A video card is rectangular in shape with numerous contacts on the bottom of the card and one or more ports on the side for connection to video displays and other devices.

The video card installs in an expansion slot on the motherboard. While some video cards and most other cards in a computer are of the PCI format, video cards come in other formats as well including AGP and PCIe. These additional formats provide a more efficient way for the video card to communicate with the CPU and other components.

Since the motherboard, case, and expansion cards are designed with compatibility in mind, the side of the video card fits just outside the back of the case when installed, making its ports available for use. Some video cards have only one port for connection to a standard monitor or projector while more advanced cards may have ports for connections to multiple output sources including additional monitors and televisions. Still other cards may have inputs for video editing and other advanced tasks.

How To Adjust the Colors Display Setting in Windows Vista

Adjusting the colors display setting in Windows Vista may be necessary to resolve color issues on monitors and other output devices like projectors.

Here’s How :

1. Click on Start and then Control Panel.Tip: In a hurry? Type personalization in the search box after clicking Start. Choose Personalization from the list of results and then skip to Step 5.
2. Click on the Appearance and Personalization link.Note: If you’re viewing the Classic View of Control Panel, you won’t see this link. Simply double-click on the Personalization icon and proceed to Step 5.
3. Click on the Personalization link.
4. Click on the Display Settings link.
5. Locate the Colors drop down box on the right-hand side of the window. Under most circumstances, the best choice is the highest “bit” available. Generally, this will be the Highest (32 bit) option.Note: Some types of software require the colors display setting to be set at a lower rate than suggested above. If you receive errors when opening certain software titles be sure to make any changes here as necessary.
6. Click the OK button to confirm the changes. If prompted, follow any additional on screen directions.

How To Adjust the Color Quality Setting in Windows XP

Adjusting the color quality setting in Windows XP may be necessary to resolve issues with the color display on monitors and other output devices like projectors.

Here’s How:

1. Navigate to the Control Panel by left-clicking on Start, followed by Settings and then choosing Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, open Display.

   Note: Depending on how Windows XP is setup on your system, you may not see the Display icon. To correct this, click on the link on the left-hand side of the Control Panel window that says Switch to Classic View.

3. In the Display Properties window, click on the Settings tab.
4. Locate the Color quality drop down box on the right-hand side of the window. Under most circumstances, the best choice is the highest “bit” available. Generally, this will be the Highest (32 bit) option.

   Note: Some types of software require the color quality settings to be set at a lower rate than suggested above. If you receive errors when opening certain software titles be sure to make any changes here as necessary.

5. Click the OK or Apply button to confirm the changes. If prompted, follow any additional on screen directions.

BIOS Setup Utility Access Keys for Various Motherboards

Getting in to the BIOS setup utility on your motherboard should be easy, right? If you’ve tried the basic steps for accessing your motherboard’s BIOS and haven’t been successful – don’t worry. This list of keyboard commands to enter BIOS should be of some help.

If you have a computer system from a major manufacturer like Dell, Gateway, etc. then my BIOS Setup Utility Access Keys for Computer Systems list will probably be of more help.

This list of BIOS access keyboard commands is a work in progress so any input from you would be greatly appreciated! If you have any additional information on BIOS access for a motherboard (listed here or not) or if you find a mistake in this list, please let me know.

abit – ab9, an7, an8, av8, aw9d, be6, bh6, ic7, in9, ip35, kn8, kn9, etc.

• Press Del while the PRESS DEL TO ENTER SETUP message is displayed to access the BIOS setup utility.

ASRock – 4coredual, 775dual, 939dual, k7s41gx, p4v88, k7vm3, etc.

• Press F2 right after the computer starts up.

ASUS – p5b, a7v600, a7v8x, a8n, a8v, k8v, m2n, p5k, p5n, etc.

• Press Del right after starting the computer to enter BIOS.

BFG - 680i, 8800gtx, 6800gt, 7600gt, 7800gs, 7950gt, etc.

• Press Del when the …enter setup message briefly displays at the bottom of the screen after powering on the computer.

BIOSTAR – 6100, 550, 7050, 965pt, k8m800, p4m80, ta690g, tf7050, etc.

• Press the Del key while the full screen logo is showing on screen, immediately after starting the computer.

DFI – LANParty Ultra, Expert, Infinity 975x, NF3, NF4, cfx3200, p965, rs482, etc.

• Press the Del key when the Press DEL to enter setup message appears, immediately after the memory test.

ECS Elitegroup – k7s5a, k7vta3, 741gx, 755-a2, 945p, c51gm, gf7100pvt, p4m800, etc.

• Press either the Del or F1 key to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.

EVGA – 790i, 780i, 750i, 680i, 650i, e-7150/630i, e-7100/630i, 590, etc.

• Enter BIOS by pressing Del immediately after powering on the computer.

Foxconn - c51xem2aa, 6150bk8mc, 6150bk8ma, c51gu01, etc.

• Press Del to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.

GIGABYTE – ds3, p35, 965p, dq6, ds3r, k8ns, etc.

• Press Del during POST, right after the computer is turned on.

Intel – d101ggc, d815eea, d845, d850gb, d865glc, d875pbz, d945gccr, d946gtp, d975xbx, etc.

• Press F2 during the initial boot process to enter the BIOS setup utility.

JetWay – jm26gt3, ha04, j7f3e, hi03, ji31gm3, jp901dmp, 775gt1-loge, etc.

• Enter BIOS setup by powering on the computer and pressing Del immediately.

Mach Speed – Viper, Matrix, pm800, 917gbag, v6dp, s755max, etc.

• Press Del after the boot process begins to enter the BIOS configuration utility.

MSI (Micro-Star) - k8n, k9n, p965, 865pe, 975x, k7n2, k9a2, k8t neo, p7n, p35, x48, x38, etc.

• Press Del while the Press DEL to enter SETUP message displays on screen after powering on the computer.

PCChips – m810lr, m811, m848a, p23g, p29g, p33g, etc.

• Press Del or F1 to enter the BIOS utility.

SAPPHIRE – PURE CrossFire 3200, a9rd580Adv, a9rs480, CrossFireX 770 & 790FX, PURE Element 690V, etc.

• Press Del after powering on to get into BIOS.

Shuttle – “bare bones” and motherboards including ak31, ak32, an35n, sn25p, ai61, sd37p2, sd39p2, etc.

• Press Del or Ctrl+Alt+Esc at the Press DEL to enter SETUP message that appears right after turning on the computer.

Super Micro – c2sbx, c2sbm, pdsba, pdsm4, pdsmi, p8sc8, p4sbe, etc.

• Press the Del key at any time during the boot process.

TYAN – Tomcat, Trinity, Thunder, Tiger, Tempest, Tahoe, Tachyon, Transport and Bigby motherboards including K8WE, S1854, S2895, MP S2460, MPX S2466, K8W S2885, S2895, S2507, etc.

• After starting the system, press the Del or F4 key to start the BIOS setup utility.

XFX – nForce 500 Series, 600 Series, 700 Series, etc.

• Press Del during the boot process, immediately after the computer is turned on.

If you still can’t determine what the keyboard commands are to access BIOS for your motherboard, my BIOS Setup Utility Access Keys for Major BIOS Manufacturers list should come in handy.

BIOS Setup Utility Access Keys for Computer Systems

Having trouble getting in to your computer’s bios setup utility? If you’ve tried the basic steps for accessing your computer’s BIOS and haven’t had much luck, trust me when I say you’re not alone.

There are hundreds of computer manufacturers out there and each seem to have their own idea when it comes to designating a keyboard command to enter BIOS. There are often even huge differences in BIOS access methods between different models made by the same company!

This list of BIOS access keyboard commands is a work in progress – meaning I need your help! If you have any additional BIOS access information to pass on or if you find a mistake, please let me know.

Acer – Aspire, Power, Veriton, Extensa, Ferrari, TravelMate, Altos

• Press Del or F2 immediately after powering on.
• The BIOS on the Acer Altos 600 server uses the Ctrl+Alt+Esc key and the F1 key for advanced options.
• Older Acer computers may use also use the F1 or Ctrl+Alt+Esc keys to access BIOS.

Compaq – Presario, Prolinea, Deskpro, Systempro, Portable

• Press F10 while the cursor in the top right corner of the screen is blinking.
• Older Compaq computers may use the F1, F2, F10, or Del key to give access to BIOS.

Dell – XPS, Dimension, Inspiron, Latitude. OptiPlex, Precision, Vostro

• Press F2 when the Dell logo appears. Press every few seconds until the message Entering Setup appears.
• Older Dell desktops and laptops may instead use Ctrl+Alt+Enter or Del to enter BIOS.
• Older Dell laptops may use Fn+Esc or Fn+F1.

eMachines – eMonster, eTower, eOne, S-Series, T-Series

• Press Tab or Del while the eMachine logo displays on screen.
• Other eMachine computers may use F2 to enter BIOS.

Fujitsu – LifeBook, Esprimo, Amilo, Tablet, DeskPower

• Press F2 once the Fujitsu logo appears.

Gateway – DX, FX, One, GM, GT, GX, Profile, Astro

• Press the F1 key repeatedly after restarting the computer.
• Some older Gateway computers use F2 to access the BIOS Setup utility.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) – Pavilion, TouchSmart, Vectra, OmniBook, Tablet

• Press the F1 key after restarting the computer.
• HP Tablet PCs may use F10 or F12.
• Other HP computers may allow access to BIOS using the F2 or Esc keys.

IBM – PC, XT, AT

• Press F1 immediately after powering on the computer.
• Older IBM computers (including some laptops) may utilize the F2 key for BIOS entry.

Lenovo (formerly IBM) – ThinkPad, IdeaPad, 3000 Series, ThinkCentre, ThinkStation

• Press F1 or F2 after powering on the computer.
• Older Lenovo products allow access to BIOS using Ctrl+Alt+F3, Ctrl+Alt+Ins, or Fn+F1.

Micron (MPC Computers) – ClientPro, TransPort

• Press F1, F2 or Del immediately after powering on the PC.

NEC – PowerMate, Versa, W-Series

• Press F2 to enter the BIOS Setup.

Packard Bell – 8900 Series, 9000 Series, Pulsar, Platinum, EasyNote, imedia, iextreme

• Press F1, F2, or Del to enter BIOS.

Sharp – Notebook Laptops, Actius UltraLite

• Press F2 after the computer starts.
• Some very old Sharp PCs require a Setup Diagnostics Disk to access BIOS.

Shuttle – Glamor G-Series, D’vo, Prima P2-Series, Workstation, X Mini XPC, Surveillance

• Press F2 or Del on startup.

Sony – VAIO, PCG-Series, VGN-Series

• Press F1, F2 or F3 after turning on the computer.

Toshiba – Portégé, Satellite, Tecra

• Press F1 or Esc after powering on to access BIOS.

The following companies are either closed for business or no longer manufacture or support mainstream computers systems so verifying the following BIOS access information is nearly impossible. I have included what I could dig up for anyone who might be interested:

ARI / ALR / AST (Advantage) – Press the Ctrl+Alt+Esc or Ctrl+Alt+Del keys.

Cybermax – Press the Esc key.

Tandon – Press the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys.