Hi!. I purchased a Compaq Presario, AMD Sempron 3500+, Model 1720NX. I installed 1 gig ram. I have an ATI Radeon Express 200 graphics card integrated. I bought a 6500 GeForce Nvidia card. The card was defected. (yes i turned off the radeon). My problem is 3 fold. When i run a system scan of my hardrive. It tells me I am only running a 995 ghz, (thru microsoft, pctools and nvidia), It states that I MUST be using a laptop. Are those test reliable? How do I know if my processor can handle the nvidia card? I checked and Have the nvidia slot. I can run an AGP or PCI graphics card on my computer. Is it my Power voltage thing?, Did i buy a bum computer? My voltage output is 250. I really bought the computer to run OBLIVION.
Is there a problem with my processor?, Please help. thanks so much. I will send homebaked chocolate chip cookies.OK.. the most important question you have here is about your power supply... The NVidia card you bought requires a minimum power supply of 300W Max Output (according to NVidia). I would personally go with a 480W. Also, you didn't mention the obvious.. but is your card an AGP card or PCI-E? So in order to run Oblivion (it hasn't been released yet, has it??) Your AMD 3500+, 1 Gig RAM, and GeForce 6500 should be OK. I don't know where you're getting the 995gHz, but if you need system specs, just goto System Tools - System Info under your start menu. One thing you might check, is whether or not you have a utility running like MSI Cool N Quiet... That will run your CPU slower unless more performance is needed... at which point it will max out at 2200.

Good luck in getting your system ready in time..Thank you so much!! I'm going to get a new power supply!! Have a great day!!Details of your computer plus downloads and troubleshooting info etc can be found [highlight]here[/highlight].

Look at your PSU again - If it's outputting 250 volts there would have been a big bang long ago.
If it's outputting 250 watts in total, then it's well under-rated and should not have been fitted in the first place. If it's a new MACHINE, contact the vendor and demand a replacement PSU.Perhaps you missed the part where he replaced the video card. I'm sure the system runs just fine with the standard integrated video it came with.No, I didn't miss it. I'm just attempting to ascertain what the rating of the installed PSU is.Ok. Not that it matters but i'm a girl. LOL I rechecked it.. it's a 250 watt thingie.
It does run fine with the ATI that's installed. Do you really think they will replace my power supply if I demand a new one?They really should as that PSU is seriously underpowered for the machine as it was bought. However, I somehow doubt that they will. Was the PSU rating mentioned n the original spec sheet?
Did your problems occur only after FITTING the new graphics card?yes that's when it all went downhill. I was worried that the ATI wouldn't run oblivion so I thought I would upgrade. I did not know the PSU rating when I purchased the machine, SIGH.Ah well..... A lesson learned. I wonder how many guys would send out homebaked chocolate chip cookies as a reward?

Until you get that PSU, remove the new card and retest.I'm going for those chocolate chip cookies... so let us know when you get that PSU.

P.S - The thought of a girl who can upgrade her own PC... I knew I should have held out... (j/k)
I sincerely thank you guys for your awesome help. LOL @ the Held out comment.
I'm ordering a 400 watt PSU for my athlon and hope that helps me out. All this for a computer game!!! Can't help it love the Elder Scrolls.
Thanks again. Will send cookies, but only the good ones!