A31p and Video Card

[FrankK-F]

This is something I've wanted to do for some time ... to max out on my external monitor and to find a card for my Dock-II to drive it.

I have needed the (2560 x 1600) monitor for 3D CAD work ... and I need more video memory than the internal video card of the A31p has.

ATI recently has brought out their ''FireMV 2000'' series cards some with PCI bus. I contacted ATI tech support and they advised that the card is 2D card and I need a 3D card ... and that there is no such thing out there to fit in a TP Dock ... period!!

So being an adventurous chap (no, not a Brit) I ordered a "FireMV 2260 PCI 256MB", installed it, loaded the SW ... and shazam ... I have a fully functional DELL 2008WFP at its native 2560 x 1600 .. and after hardware calibration with great colors .. loaded CS3 and the colors are the best in my experience; loaded PATTON the movie, looked great on this monitor. As I was installing the SW, I noticed reference to graphics and 3D ... so I loaded my Autodesk Inventor (on top of the first two apps) and much to my surprise I see full 3D function as well ... much smoother rotation (256MB vs 64 on the A31p MoBo).

While I see this as a welcome development to extend the useful life of this great 3 spindle machine ... I have lost the use of my internal display ... it is just BLACK. Prior to this add-in video card I have driven the internal and various external monitors (UXGA and WUXGA) in an extended desktop manner.

So, now I am asking if there is a solution to re-light the internal monitor of the A31p running on XP-Pro SP3 ... anyone??

PS: I was one of the early experimenters with the 2GB memory and with 2700 series to boot ... all worked (and works) just fine. Both of my A31p boxes are under (IBM/Lenovo) extended service contracts and have given me excellent service.

On the other hand, I am now awaiting my W500 with a full complement of upgrades ... as my resource-hungry apps have been straining my A31p technology.

[sjthinkpader]

Given the age of the A31p's, likelihood will be the CCF backlight in the LCD is out. It could be inverter, fuse or other issues on the MB.

[FrankK-F]

Beg to differ .. my A31p's are under maintenance contract, thus are 100% hardware-wise. While the A31p may be 5+ years old, those of us who use these are still mostly happy campers .. me included.

I believe it is a video driver issue. With WUGA external driven from DVI on back of Dock-II via internal video card both displays are ON. I also use the Ultramon utility.

Now when I install the driver for the ATI FireMV-2260, my Ultramon disappears, and is not loadable. In Display Properties-Settings "monotor-2" designation does not stick.

(BTW, while mucking around with these video drivers .. mt op-sys (WXPP) got corrupted and I am now rebuilding my system ... a 2+ day pain.)

Thus, I am still looking for some pointers.

[sjthinkpader]

My apologies, didn't read your post carefully enough.

Which driver are you using for the ATI 7800 on the MB? Was the ATI desktop manager loaded?

[FrankK-F]

Well, its been a few days since I piped up on this topic .. from a somewhat bumpy road to where I arrived.

The bottom line is that I have the ATI FireMV-2260-PCI video card running on my A31p + Dock-II. This card has 256MB memory and two DisplayPort connectors. (adaptors are available for DVI and HDMI cables)

As mentioned I am running a DELL 3008 (2560x1600) with also DisplayPort among its many connector options. My goal was also to not lose the use of my internal monitor .. and when off the dock to have same compatibility with my apps.

So, where did I arrive?

This is what is my Display Properties .. Adapter page reports:
a. The Dell-3008 monitor report is:
"ATI FireMV-2260", device enabled
Chip Type: ATI display adapter (0x95CE)
DAC Type: Internal DAC (400MHz)
Memory Size: 256MB
Adapter String: ATI FireMV 2260
Bios Info: 113-B59401-100
.. and now I highlighted the internal monitor under "Settings", then to Advanced, Adapter...
b. The internal monitor report is:
Chip Type: ATI display adapter AGP (0x4C58)
DAC Type: Internal DAC (400MHz)
Memory Size: 64MB
Adapter String: ATI Mobility FireGL 7800
Bios Information: ....

What stuns me is that the two displays are running on different adapters .. which is contrary to what I have read in this list some time ago. And what is stunning is the max resolution displays with hardware calibrated color.

For me the proof of the pudding is my Autodesk-Inventor. Both, the internal (for on the road) and the external displays in this setup are compatible ... but at different speeds that is increasingly obvious as the parts count goes up in an assembly.

When I look at the total cost of a W500 upgrade, in full dress, versus the cost of this video card (CIRCA us$170) ... it is great value in my view as a life extender for the venerable A31p.

If there is interest in how I got here .. I'll try to map the steps that eventually led to success.