video card / HP XE783

I'm really hoping that you all can help me ... I'm completely lost here and am in need of your expert advice. My daughter has an HP XE783 (Celeron 70MHz; RAM is maxed at 512MB; running Win ME). The video/graphics card is the question that I have. We have tried numerous times to install this game and it just won't install. Not sure why unless the video/grpahics card is incompatible.

According to the game specs, this is what I need:

System requirements


--With a T&L capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM (such as nvidia GeForce 2 or better or ATI Radeon 7000 or better):

Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 98 or Windows 2000

800 MHz P3 processor

256 MB RAM

At least 3.5 GB of hard drive space

--Without a non-T&L capable video card (such as TNT2 or Intel Integrated for example):

Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 98, or Windows 2000

2.0 GHz processor or better

256 MB RAM

At least 3.5 GB of hard drive space

Supported video cards (and the more video memory the better):

ATI RadeonTM series (7000 or better): adeon 7000/VE series (non-T&L requires 2.0 GHz processor), 7200, 7500, 8500, All-In-Wonder 8500, 9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800, X300, X600, X800

Nvidia® QuadroTM series: Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4

Nvidia® Geforce series (GeForce2 and better): GeForce2, GeForce3, 3 Ti, GeForce4, 4Ti, MX 420, 440, GeForce FX 5200, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950, GeForce 6600, 6800

Intel® Extreme Graphics (non-T&L requires 2.0 GHz processor): 82845, 82865, 82915

According to the specs on the HP site, this is what I have:

Attribute
Properties

Video Graphics
PCI Local Bus

Controller
Intel 810 (on motherboard)

Video Memory
11 MB shared system memory, integrated graphics, not upgradeable

Feature Connector (game/joystick)
Yes

Resolutions:
640 x 480: 16/256/32 K/64 K/16.7 M colors

800 x 600: 16/256/32 K/64 K colors

1024 x 768: 16/256/32 K/64 K colors

1280 x 1024: 256 colors

Of course, I don't understand most of this ... please help!!

Okay, you didn't mentioned the name of the game, altough I think you're talking about SIMS 2?

If tis so, you won't be able to run this game with your computer.

Your CPU (Celeron 700 MHZ) and your graphic device (11mb shared thing) won't let you play this game.

About 5 or 6 years ago, the graphic industrie released a new standard, the Transform & Lighting (T&L). With it, the Games can be
programmed to run much smoother and faster with this card.

So, older cards, your for example, don't support this standard. infact, only geforce 2 mx and better do.
nowadays, cou can't buy any graphics card without T&L.

So, for you that means. IF you HAD an graphic card with T&L support (and you haven't one) you could play SIMS 2 even with a 800 MHZ Processor. (You have a 700 MHZ)
If you don't have a T&L Card, you must have a 2000 MHZ Processor to run this game.

So, I'm sorry, but you won't be able to run this game. Might want to buy a new computer...

Ha ... I was so worried about posting all of the specs of the pc, that I forgot what game it was. Yes, it is Sims 2. Thanks for the wonderful news, although it's what I was suspecting. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Her monitor isn't the greatest either, so I guess it's time to get something better. What would you recommend? She likes the Sims games, Roller Coaster Tycoon, Zoo Tycoon, etc. What should I be looking for in the way of a new pc without having to spend a ton of cash?

Thanks again.

For this type of Games you listed, you can buy a pc for not too much money.
I would suggest something like that:

• AMD Athlon XP 2500+ or P4 2.533 GHZ for the Processor ~ 100$
  A fitting Asus Mainboard ~ 60$
  512 MB Ram (DDR400) ~ 80$
  Radeon 9600 Pro ~ 110$
  80 GB Harddisk ~ 65$
  
  LG Electronics L1710S 17" LCD Monitor ~ 330$

So, since I'm swiss I don't know any good Comp-Shop in the US, so I'd suggest you looking around for a PC with
similar specs to what I've listed. It shouldn't be too expensive and run the games you named just perfectly. (good price/effort)

maybe I forgot something, but it should be all.. I hope I could have helped you with this.. :mellow:

Sir you should but a new pc but upgrading some computer parts is good idea the question is, do you know what you are doing and know how to install the parts? May i suggest This Web site. (Click here.) The computers are not expensive and very good. The 400$ and 500$ coputer is good for playing Sims 2. i have no clue why you people go for Dells, HPs, Compaques,Gateway. Well your monitor is not a problem but your video caard is not good.

I don't get it, why you people give such expansive offers :bucky!: , yes they are too much for someone to play the games he listed ! He listed strategic games, but you gave him a pc that can run Doom 3 :Oo: why ? ? If the man doesn't want to spend a lot of money for something that he might not use (correct me if I'm wrong, you can play these games too and newer once if you want. but you said it's for your daughter)

Any way I would suggest:

Intel Pentium 4 2.4 GHz
512 memory of Ram
*GeForce 4 TI 4200 with 64/128 Mb or a Radeon 9500 or a GeForce TI 4400 with 128 mb (these card's can be found in a very cheap price)
If you have a Hard drive of less then 40 G, then buy a new one (40 Gigabytes is enough)
You seem to have 17inc screen that is not a problem, but if you want a new, one you can get one cheep too.

That should run all the games you mentioned with no problem.

*if you want your pc to be able to run even greater things in the future , you might want to buy a Radeon 9600. However, that is only if you want to play more then these games in the future.

Originally posted by GrimReaper@Oct 5 2004, 03:07 AM
I don't get it, why you people give such expansive offers :bucky!: , yes they are too much for someone to play the games he listed ! He listed strategic games, but you gave him a pc that can run Doom 3 :Oo: why ? ? If the man doesn't want to spend a lot of money for something that he might not use (correct me if I'm wrong, you can play these games too and newer once if you want. but you said it's for your daughter)

Any way I would suggest:

Intel Pentium 4 2.4 GHz
512 memory of Ram
*GeForce 4 TI 4200 with 64/128 Mb or a Radeon 9500 or a GeForce TI 4400 with 128 mb (these card's can be found in a very cheap price)
If you have a Hard drive of less then 40 G, then buy a new one (40 Gigabytes is enough)
You seem to have 17inc screen that is not a problem, but if you want a new, one you can get one cheep too.

That should run all the games you mentioned with no problem.

*if you want your pc to be able to run even greater things in the future , you might want to buy a Radeon 9600. However, that is only if you want to play more then these games in the future.

I see your point Grim Reaper, but remember, maybe he will play some rts game once a day like Dawn of War for example or the new LotR RTS, and with that,
your suggestion is completely crap. Plus it's always better to go with the medium parts nowadays than with
some medium parts back in the days (like the 4200 ti).

Plus I think the parts don't cost that much and he can buy a complete PC from a shop which is equal to some I suggested
for not too much money. You won't find any built PC which you can buy in a shop with parts you mentioned.

All in all, he can get a good gaming PC for less money plus it is not outdated, like the one you mentioned.
Also note, you have to buy a second hand pc with parts you listed or you have to buy the parts cheap
off of ebay and put it together by yourself. and as far as I unterstood, Mr. Suey 3b hasn't the knowledge to do this on his own.

As I mentioned:

*if you want your pc to be able to run even greater things in the future , you might want to buy a Radeon 9600. However, that is only if you want to play more then these games in the future.

So if he does wants to play new games, sure buy the 9600.
But I don't think his daughter will play the games you mentioned .

Anyhow, the only thing that can be controversial is the Graphic card, so yes he can buy a new card like you said.

All the other parts are perfectly fine! I do not see any problems.

:dots: . I gave a site with a good computer for 400-500$. He should just get a new computer and problem solved.

Originally posted by Hitman47@Oct 6 2004, 02:59 AM
:dots: . I gave a site with a good computer for 400-500$. He should just get a new computer and problem solved.

yep

i agree

you don't let people who are not very expierenced with computers upgrade there stuff
9/10 they kill it :P

it's more easier to buy a new one