display adapters graphics cards dell 4550

I need help. My 'puter kept telling me that the display driver has stopped working (ATI2dvaa) etc. I tried downloading and nothing works for a driver, not compatible with my system it says. So, I disabled the driver, (32 mbATI Rage 128 Ultra) and now my puter acts like it should. What I want to know, is WHY do I have to have a "display adapter" at all, if disabling it let my system work so wonderfully? If I do need a new graphics card, what is the very cheapest one I can get for my Dell Dimension 4550 desktop computer? Thanks SO much! Charline

 

Greetings, Charline...

The Dell drivers for your video are located here, assuming you're running XP...d/l and try this package if you haven't done so already...

When you 'disable' the adapter, Windows is using its own generic software to power your display - if it ain't broke, don't fix it...the Windows drivers should suffice for everyday tasks, although if you wish to do some gaming, you may need the ATI drivers...

As far as a replacement, check out Best Buy, Frye's, or Newegg - pretty sure the 4550 uses AGP, so you're talking pretty cheap for a new card...

Keep us posted...

 

thank you SO SO SO much! I'll let that sucker off!!!! ;-)