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WTH is a "Video Card"?


DylanMay

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Hey guyzos.

 

So I got the PC version of Psychonauts for Xmas. I installed it on my computer, which is a laptop. Yeah, I don't know if that matters. The installation went okay, but now it won't work. What's up with that? Do I need a video card? Man, I don't know anything about computers. What's a video card, how do I find out if I have it, where can I get one, is it expensive, and is it easy to install? Anyone else ever had issues like this?

 

Stupid computer. ><; I just want to play my Psychonauts.

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Your computer should already have a graphics card, even if it's some ****ty thing integrated w/ the mobo. Also, it's pretty hard to upgrade a graphics card on a laptop. Harder than it is for a desktop anyhow.

 

Yea I dunno. Sorry I can't be of much help.

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Sounds like my problem.

 

It's prolly that your Video Card doesn't have pixel shader v1.0.

 

Most PC games now require pixel shader v1.0, which is a hardware issue and can't be solved with software upgrade or drivers or whatever.

 

In other words, you have to get a new modern video card that must have pixel shader v1.0 (or v2.0, it's out I heard).

 

Not sure of the price though...

 

*I also read that there is a way to get around the check using registry changes. But I'm not sure how this affects the game itself. It'll prolly look uglier, not sure about the processing itself*

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To get a new video card for a laptop, you probably should contact a computer or consumer electronics store. Ask them about, they'll probably try to sell you something you don't need but they are the only ones who will install a new one for you.

 

Oh, and you should check the specifications on the back of the game box, then go to your laptop's website to see if they match up.

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No prob. I think most of the video cards on the market have at least pixel shader v.1.0 nowadays (my current one is a Radeon 7000, which is like, very basic).

 

The easiest would be to just cart your labtop to the nearest computer shop and just ask them what's the most affordable and efficient video card they've got that has pixel shader v1.0. I read that you can get a good one for under a hundred, mostly from the ATI/Radeon/Nvidia line.

 

Edit: Personally, the computer shops don't usually try to cheat me but it pays to research yourself (I had to do it to figure out why Psychonauts won't run on my com anyway).

 

Like I said, I think you can get a sufficient one for under a hundred dollars. Maybe try those big electronics stores like Best Denki or something...

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Doubtful. Most laptops come with a built-in chip on the system board/planar. Replacing the board costs butt-loads of money (unless it's under warranty, then you're only getting what was installed) and is probably not worth the money.

 

I'd look for video driver updates for your laptop. Check with the manufacturer and input your model number (usually found on the bottom (ie: IBM/Lenovo's XXXX-XXX))

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Go ahead and preorder NVidATI's Geforce Wun-Billion using the all new (until the next yr) Pixel Shader 55, DX80, Omni-Sight chip that interfaces directly with your visual cortex and brain! Installs in brain via eye drops and for the low price of $10,000 or 500 Galactics! Just keep waiting; the year 3000 is almost here... :D

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