My laptop is having trouble with video/graphics

I have a Dell Inspiron E1505, and I just bought Counterstrike: Source. I go to launch the game, and all I get is a black screen. When I minimize it and then maximize it again, i occasionally get a small glimpse at the loading screen, for a splitsecond. I have tried playing Halo on this laptop in the past, but the video was very choppy, and the gameplay extremely laggy.

Im of course assuming its my graphics card. I have the Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family. According to their website, it says I should be able to handle the game. Also, when i launch the game, i get a message saying that my video card doesnt show up in their database.

I toyed around with Style XP a while back, and i couldnt even run the more flashy screensavers, cause they would be way too choppy.


My question is, are there settings i need to toy with to get this game to work, and fix my choppy video problems? Or do I have to go buy a better graphics card? If I need to buy a better one, what would you suggest? I just want everything to run smoothly.

 

When you bought the laptop did you add the video enhancement option or leave with integrated graphics if you left it then your system graphics are on the main board and share the systems resources primarily for graphics which is why you are having trouble. when a game uses system resources for processing settings and graphics you can have lockups blue screens and sometimes blocky picture you can sometimes the screen settings and run games less attractive in play but works.

 

If you buy a graphics card go to dell support enter your service tag and check with them on adding a card and get the right one for the laptop.

 

im pretty sure i didnt get any special video enhancement package, it doesnt ring a bell. only special things i upgraded were the ram, bigger hd, bigger screen, and a special screen/display called TruLife Display.

Damn, this thing "stock" cant even run counterstrike? I guess i was gonna have to upgrade the graphics sooner or later. Thanks for the help. Any suggestions on the video card, though? Brand? 128/256/512?

 

What Dell recommends on there upgrade site is best to work with there boards but if you go on there find the appropriate card and get all specs chips memory such nvidia, savage etc you can find an equivalent probably cheaper somewhere else.

 

Generally you want the card to share less good graphics processor good amount of memory 256 is good but make sure the specs tell you how much is shared and how much is card onboard the manufacturers web site should indicate games played with them and give you a goood idea where to go.

 

Ok, will do. Thank you very much! :cool

 

Not a problem hope you get it worked out they should be more specific on those dell sites when building a system hey but what can you do :guns well its a thought.