PC Maintenance: Preparing for A+ Certification Chapter 15: Video Cards.

PC Maintenance: PC Maintenance: Preparing for A+ Preparing for A+

CertificationCertificationChapter 15: Video CardsChapter 15: Video Cards

Chapter 15 ObjectivesChapter 15 Objectives

Understand video resolution and color Understand video resolution and color depthdepth

Identify video card interfacesIdentify video card interfaces Calculate amount of video RAM requiredCalculate amount of video RAM required Understand 3D acceleration and APIsUnderstand 3D acceleration and APIs Install a video cardInstall a video card Set up video driver in WindowsSet up video driver in Windows Troubleshoot video problemsTroubleshoot video problems

Video Card ConceptsVideo Card Concepts

Acts as a hardware interface between Acts as a hardware interface between monitor and PCmonitor and PC

Has its own chipset and RAM, like a Has its own chipset and RAM, like a motherboardmotherboard

Talks to the OS via a driverTalks to the OS via a driver

Video Card ConceptsVideo Card Concepts

Video ResolutionVideo Resolution

Pixels: Individual dots in a particular Pixels: Individual dots in a particular display resolutiondisplay resolution

Examples: Examples: 640x480640x480 800x600800x600 1024x7681024x768

Monitor ResolutionMonitor Resolution

Triad: One set of one red, one green, one Triad: One set of one red, one green, one blue phosphorblue phosphor

Number of triads per pixel depends on Number of triads per pixel depends on display resolution chosen in OSdisplay resolution chosen in OS

Video Card InterfacesVideo Card Interfaces

VGA: VGA: Standard interface for over a Standard interface for over a

decadedecade Interfaces with analog Interfaces with analog

monitorsmonitors DV-I:DV-I:

New, all-digital interfaceNew, all-digital interface Interfaces with digital LCD Interfaces with digital LCD

monitors onlymonitors only

Video Card TypesVideo Card Types

PCI Express:PCI Express: New type of motherboard slot in 2004New type of motherboard slot in 2004 Faster than AGP Faster than AGP

AGP:AGP: AGP slot on motherboard designed AGP slot on motherboard designed

specifically for video cardspecifically for video card Fast interfaceFast interface


PCI:PCI: Multi-purpose interface on motherboardMulti-purpose interface on motherboard Not as fast as AGPNot as fast as AGP Useful for systems with multiple video cards, Useful for systems with multiple video cards,

since only one can be AGPsince only one can be AGP

Video ChipsetVideo Chipset

Not always Not always the same the same brand as the brand as the video card video card itselfitself

Determines Determines overall driver overall driver class class compatibilitycompatibility

Video RAMVideo RAM

How Much RAM needed for a particular How Much RAM needed for a particular resolution?resolution? Horizontal resolutionHorizontal resolution x x vertical resolutionvertical resolution x x color depth in bitscolor depth in bits Convert answer to bytes by dividing by 8Convert answer to bytes by dividing by 8

Example: 1024 x 768, 24-bit colorExample: 1024 x 768, 24-bit color Number of pixels: 1024 x 768 = 786,432Number of pixels: 1024 x 768 = 786,432 Bits required: 786,432 x 24 = 18,874,368Bits required: 786,432 x 24 = 18,874,368 Convert to bytes: 18,874,368 Convert to bytes: 18,874,368 ÷ 8 = ÷ 8 = 2,359,2962,359,296

3D Acceleration3D Acceleration

Increases amount of RAM required by Increases amount of RAM required by about 4X because extra RAM is needed about 4X because extra RAM is needed for buffersfor buffers

3D Acceleration3D Acceleration

Key frames allow video card to help Key frames allow video card to help application create smoother animationapplication create smoother animation

Texture/Shading SupportTexture/Shading Support

Rasterization:Rasterization: filling in a shape with filling in a shape with shading and texture. Some common shading and texture. Some common methods:methods: Texture mappingTexture mapping Flat shadingFlat shading Gourad shadingGourad shading

Texture MappingTexture Mapping

Applies a 2D texture bitmap to a 3D objectApplies a 2D texture bitmap to a 3D object

3D API Support3D API Support

Application must support same standard Application must support same standard that video card supportsthat video card supports

Common APIs include:Common APIs include: OpenGLOpenGL DirectXDirectX Direct3DDirect3D 3Dfx Glide3Dfx Glide

Other Video Card FeaturesOther Video Card Features

MPEG-2 DecodingMPEG-2 Decoding Hardware decoding for DVD movies and other Hardware decoding for DVD movies and other

videosvideos TV OutTV Out

Enables a TV to be used as a monitorEnables a TV to be used as a monitor TV/Video Capture InTV/Video Capture In

Enables the PC to record TV or videoEnables the PC to record TV or video Dual Monitor OutputDual Monitor Output

Enables more than one monitor to be Enables more than one monitor to be connectedconnected

Install a Video CardInstall a Video Card

1.1. Remove old video card if neededRemove old video card if needed

2.2. Remove backplate from slot if neededRemove backplate from slot if needed

3.3. Insert video card firmly in slotInsert video card firmly in slot

4.4. Secure it with screw or retainer barSecure it with screw or retainer bar

5.5. Connect a monitor, and bootConnect a monitor, and boot

Install a Video CardInstall a Video Card

Set Display Properties in Set Display Properties in WindowsWindows

1.1. Install correct driver Install correct driver for video card if for video card if neededneeded

2.2. Right-click the Right-click the desktop, choose desktop, choose PropertiesProperties

3.3. Change resolution Change resolution and color depth on and color depth on Settings tabSettings tab

Troubleshooting Video CardTroubleshooting Video Card

Nothing appears on-screenNothing appears on-screen Monitor turned offMonitor turned off Monitor contrast turned downMonitor contrast turned down Monitor not connectedMonitor not connected PC not powered onPC not powered on Defective video cardDefective video card Not installed correctlyNot installed correctly


Screen has a red, blue, or green tintScreen has a red, blue, or green tint Pin broken on monitor or video card Pin broken on monitor or video card

connectorconnector Connector not snugly plugged inConnector not snugly plugged in

Garbled Windows displayGarbled Windows display Bad video driverBad video driver Correct problem in Safe ModeCorrect problem in Safe Mode


Vertical stripes on Windows displayVertical stripes on Windows display Corrupted video driverCorrupted video driver Physical defect in video cardPhysical defect in video card Not the monitor’s faultNot the monitor’s fault

Windows won’t start except in safe modeWindows won’t start except in safe mode Bad Windows video driverBad Windows video driver Wrong driver installed for video cardWrong driver installed for video card


Pictures and colors look badPictures and colors look bad Too low a color depth being usedToo low a color depth being used Video card not recognized, so it is using Video card not recognized, so it is using

standard VGA mode (16 color)standard VGA mode (16 color) Install driver for exact model of video cardInstall driver for exact model of video card

Certain Applications CrashCertain Applications Crash Video driver not up-to-dateVideo driver not up-to-date Patch for application requiredPatch for application required New version of DirectX requiredNew version of DirectX required

PC Maintenance: Preparing for A+ Certification Chapter 15: Video Cards.

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