Q: I have an eMachine and when I try to install a video graphics card all I get is a series of continuous beeping sounds. Is there anyway that I can disable the onboard video?

A: The term onboard video applies to a computer that already has a video card configured on its motherboard. Onboard video can leave room inside a small computer for an extra PCI slot. Usually, disabling onboard video is achieved by going into your BIOS settings and making a few minor tweaks.

Ideally, when you buy a new graphics card, you should try to get an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) card. AGP is currently the top-of-the-line standard for graphics cards because they benefit from a dedicated, high-speed port between the graphics card and system memory. However, today's 3D games like "Quake III" will dramatically slow down if the video card runs out of on-board video memory and is forced to access system memory via the AGP slot.

Accessing system memory through the AGP slot is far slower (even with the current 4x AGP standard) than accessing the memory on the video card itself. If game performance is important to you, be sure to purchase a video card with at least 32 megs of on-board RAM.

So, what do you do if your system doesn't have an AGP slot? If your system doesn't have an AGP slot, then you'll need to make sure and purchase a PCI graphics card.

Install the new card

Before installing the new PCI graphics card, be sure to unplug your computer from its power supply. Also, you'll need to ground yourself by touching your computer's power supply before inserting the card into its slot. Doing this will discharge any built-up static electricity in your body and prevent damage to your new card.

After the new card is inserted, keep your monitor's cable connected to the original on-board video terminal, reattach the power cord, and then turn it on.

If you don't know anything about BIOS or feel uncomfortable working in it, then you should get someone to help you out.

Follow these directions to enter an eMachine's BIOS settings.

1. To enter the system BIOS setup, press the Delete key when the "eMachines" logo screen appears.
   
2. When the BIOS screen appears, use your mouse to double-click the PCI/PnP icon.
   
3. Left-click the "Initial Display" line and hit Enter.
   
4. On the list that appears you'll need to switch the setting to the PCI Slot.
   
5. Once you've changed the setting, hit Enter and return to the previous screen.
   
6. Before exiting the screen you'll need to make sure Plug-n-Play (PnP) is enabled.
   
7. Now, close the PCI/PnP screen by clicking on the top left corner.
   
8. Now it's time to save the settings. To do this, click the yellow button on the top-left of the screen.
   
9. Make sure the "Exit and Save Changes" field is selected before proceeding.
   
10. After exiting and saving the BIOS settings, power down and connect your monitor to the new graphics card.
    
11. Once the new card is connected to the monitor, turn your computer back on.

Configure the new card

1. While the computer is booting up it should recognize that you've installed a new graphics card and begin the procedure of installing its proper drivers. Depending how Windows was installed on your system, it may prompt you to insert the Windows CD to complete the installation.
   
2. Prompt Windows to install a standard PCI graphics adapter for now.
   
   
3. After it installs the standard PCI graphics adapter you will be prompted to restart your computer.
   
4. Once you reboot your computer, your monitor should now be controlled by the new PCI video card.

Update driver

1. Locate the disk containing the correct drivers for your new video card and insert it into your CD-ROM or floppy drive.
   
2. From your desktop, right-click My Computer and choose properties or hold down and press the Windows key + Pause/Break.
   
3. In the System Properties, select the Device Manager tab.
   
4. Locate the Display icon and double-click it to expand the list.
   
5. You should see the Standard PCI graphics adapter under the Display icon. Single-click this adapter and select properties.
   
6. Select the Drivers tab in the properties dialog box.
   
7. Click Update Driver.
   
8. Click next.
   
9. Select "Display a list of all the drivers in a specific location..." and click next.
   
10. It will begin building a list of suitable drivers. From this screen click the Have Disk button.
    
11. Click Browse. From here you'll need to locate the new drivers on the CD-ROM or floppy that came your new graphics card. All you should have to do is just select the letter of the correct drive and hit OK.
    
12. Now, hit OK again to begin the update.
    
13. After the new drivers are installed, you'll need to restart your system for the changes to go into effect.

If you discover any problems like continuous beeping sounds, then you may have a problem. The manufacturer of your motherboard should have post/beep codes posted on its webpage. Listen to the pattern of the beep sounds. It will resemble a Morse code pattern that will help identify possible problems.

Another option you want to try is pulling the PCI card from its current slot and try another one. If you need additional help installing a graphics card, consult the eMachine website for more help.