Why won't my computer recognize my Flip video?

My Computer Won't Recognize Video Cards

• Answer:

  Adding new hardware to your computer does not mean it will start working automatically. Every device in a computer requires a driver before it can work properly. Windows 7 provides drivers for most hardware, but older operating systems, such as Windows XP, often have no support for newer devices. You can get drivers from the manufacturer. Your video card could also be faulty or installed incorrectly. A few simple steps can pin down the problem. Difficulty: Moderately Easy Instructions Turn the computer off. Open the case to your computer by removing the side panel. The panel will either have screws in the back or a special lever if the computer is pre-built from a company such as Dell. Check to see if the video card is properly seated in its slot on the motherboard. If it is not completely pushed into the slot, the connection is broken and the card can not be detected. Close the computer case and start the computer. When your operating system loads, download and install the latest drivers from the manufacturer of your video card. Un-install your current drivers if you have any installed. You may also need to update drivers for the chip-set on your motherboard. Without chip-set drivers, your computer might not recognize the video slot. Turn the computer off. Remove the video card and put it in a different computer. Install the latest drivers on that computer and determine if the video card is working properly. If the card works, then problem is something in your computer. The drivers could be corrupt; the motherboard may be malfunctioning; or the operating system is corrupt. If the card does not work, then the card itself is defective and you need to replace it. Tips & Warnings Tip: Consult a PC repair professional if you can not narrow down the problem. You should also check your computer's "BIOS" settings, especially if your computer also has a video card integrated into the motherboard. The integrated video may need to be disabled before an additional video card will work.