Introduction
This manual provides detailed instructions for the installation, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of your ATI Rage Pro 8MB PCI Video Card. This video card is designed to enhance the graphical capabilities of compatible desktop computer systems.
Setup and Installation
Proper installation is crucial for the optimal performance of your video card. Please follow these steps carefully.
1. Pre-Installation Checklist
- Ensure your computer is powered off and unplugged from the wall outlet.
- Ground yourself to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) by touching a metal part of the computer chassis.
- Gather necessary tools: Phillips head screwdriver.
- Confirm your motherboard has an available PCI slot.
2. Physical Installation
- Open your computer case by removing the side panel.
- Locate an available PCI expansion slot on your motherboard. These are typically white or beige slots, shorter than AGP or PCIe slots.
- Remove the metal slot cover from the back of the computer case corresponding to the chosen PCI slot.
- Carefully align the ATI Rage Pro video card with the PCI slot. Apply even, firm pressure to seat the card fully into the slot. Do not force the card.
- Secure the video card to the computer chassis using a screw through the mounting bracket.
- Close the computer case and reconnect all cables.
Figure 1: The ATI Rage Pro 8MB PCI Video Card. This image shows the green circuit board with various chips, including the main ATI Rage Pro chip, and the silver PCI bracket with the VGA output port. The card is designed to be inserted into a PCI slot on a computer motherboard.
3. Driver Installation
After physical installation, you will need to install the appropriate drivers for the operating system to recognize and utilize the video card.
- Power on your computer. The system may boot into a basic VGA mode.
- Insert the driver CD (if provided) into your CD-ROM drive and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Alternatively, visit the official ATI (now AMD) support website to download the compatible drivers for your operating system and the Rage Pro series. Search for "ATI Rage Pro drivers".
- Follow the driver installation wizard prompts. A system restart may be required after installation.
Operating Instructions
Once the video card and drivers are installed, you can configure your display settings.
- Connect your monitor to the VGA port on the ATI Rage Pro video card.
- Boot your computer.
- Access your operating system's display settings (e.g., right-click on desktop and select "Display settings" or "Screen Resolution").
- Adjust the screen resolution and refresh rate to your preferred settings. Refer to your monitor's specifications for optimal resolution.
- Apply changes and restart if prompted.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance helps ensure the longevity and stable performance of your video card.
- Cleaning: Periodically, with the computer powered off and unplugged, open the case and gently remove any dust accumulation from the video card using compressed air. Ensure proper ventilation around the card.
- Driver Updates: While this is an older card, check the AMD (formerly ATI) website periodically for any legacy driver updates or compatibility patches, especially if upgrading your operating system.
Troubleshooting
This section addresses common issues you might encounter.
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No display on monitor. | Card not seated properly; monitor cable loose; incorrect input selected on monitor. | Reseat the video card firmly in the PCI slot. Check monitor cable connections. Ensure monitor is set to the correct input (VGA). |
| Garbled or distorted display. | Incorrect drivers; faulty card; monitor resolution mismatch. | Reinstall or update drivers. Test the card in another system if possible. Adjust display resolution and refresh rate. |
| System does not boot after installation. | Card not fully seated; hardware conflict. | Ensure the card is fully seated. Remove other non-essential expansion cards to check for conflicts. |
Specifications
Key technical specifications for the ATI Rage Pro 8MB PCI Video Card.
- Brand: ATI
- Model Number: 109-41900-10
- Interface: PCI
- Memory: 8MB
- Compatible Devices: Desktop
- Product Dimensions: 5 x 6 x 1 inches
- Item Weight: 1 pounds (16 ounces)
- Manufacturer: ATI
- Date First Available: September 30, 2010
Warranty and Support
For warranty information, please refer to the original purchase documentation or contact your reseller. As this is an older product, direct manufacturer support may be limited. For driver downloads and technical resources, visit the official AMD (formerly ATI) support website.
Note: Product specifications and support availability may change without notice.
