Video Card Problem
By worldwise1
@worldwise1 (14885)
United States
July 20, 2007 12:29pm CST
As a gamer, I often download games to play later on my desktop. From time to time I have found that when I download certain games, I will get a popup message saying that my video card needs to be updated. Have you hhad this problem? Seems to me that if you can play most games you should be able to play all of them, right? Wrong.
3 responses
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
21 Jul 07
In you initial post you said you downloaded them to play later on your desktop. Then in a response to someone's post you said you are using a laptop. Which one is it? Believe me, it makes a world of difference.
Most laptops use integrated graphics. That means you don't have a video card. You have an adapter built into your motherboard that uses your processor and RAM to work as a video card. If the integrated graphics are made by NVidia or ATI, you should be ok. If they are VIA, S3, SIS, or Intel, you're screwed. If you need to update integrated video drivers on a laptop, you MUST go to the manufacturer's website. Do NOT go the Nvidia, ATI, or whatever graphics site to update drivers.
If you are working on a desktop you need to determine if you have a dedicated video card, or integrated graphics. If you have integrated graphics, treat it the same as the laptop scenario. If you have a dedicated card, go to Nvidia.com, or ati.com to get the latest drivers.
"Seems to me that if you can play most games you should be able to play all of them, right? Wrong."
Unfortunately, you are wrong. Newer games require video cards that support new technology. Just as an example, you can't play a PS3 game on a PS1. If you are using an outdated video card, typically defined as a video card over 3 years old, than you may not be able to play all the latest games.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
18 Aug 07
The laptop that I am using is an HP and it does have Intel, so is that the problem? Thank you for your help, Taskr.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
20 Jul 07
I have not gotten this error, but when I have problems with my video card I always check the site for the video card and find out if I need new drivers.
As far as being able to play "anything", depending on your video card and how new it is that may not be the case. I have a fairly new video card in a two year old PC and I can play the majority of games on that PC. In my new PC, I am not limited at all but I have a high end video card.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
20 Jul 07
My laptop is only a couple of years old, sedel, so I don't know what the problem is. I've only had this happen with a few games. I have no trouble with playing most games.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
20 Jul 07
Honestly, I would just check to see if you need the drivers updated (you should do this occasionally anyway since they do upgrade the drivers for even older cards). You may also want to check the requirements for the games you are trying to play, there are not many games my old PC can't handle (it turned 2 in Feb & is a desktop), but there are quite a few of the new games - released within the last 6months or so - that it can't handle at all (not always just the video card, sometimes the entire PC).
1 person likes this
@bradhart (659)
• United States
23 Mar 08
if your drivers are up to date then you are going to be in trouble trying to play some games.
