So upfront i'm obviously mentally challenged... Moving past that this is the short version...

I have the following:

XP prof
Dell Dimension 8200
AGP Video Card Geforce 5200 (128mb)
2.4 GHZ Processor
1 Gig Ram

I tried to install a new video card for better gaming (Geforce 7300 GT 512mb)... mine wasnt keeping up with the jones so I thought an update was due... I now know the grass isnt always greener...

I couldnt get it installed I tried tech support... they were of no help. So I tried doing some self help... reading forums online, tried a couple of what seemed harmless things (big mistake number 1)... still couldnt figure anything out... So I gave up and decided to plug the old video card back in... Now it wont install either.

The drivers wont install even though they appear to do so when using the CD that came with the video cards... I tried downloading the newest updates from NVIDIA. I also tried completely removing all video drives with some uninstall driver program (this may have been my final undoing)... I later realized my directx is gone. when I goto Run DXDIAG it says "DirectX version: NONE"... I tried installing directx 8.1 and 9C... nothing will install. My screen is jumpy, my monitor isnt listed int he hardware profile, and I cant adjust the resolution without going form one extreme to the other. Now the funny thing is... when I restart my computer the first screen is the only screen that names my video card correctly instead of VGA and surprisingly I can play SIMCITY4 with only some details missing like clouds... but pretty seamless... I dont know how....

I dont know what to do... Can someone please help???

Thank you for taking the time... I await my sentence..

siberadam

Hello...

Will you tell us what problems you were having with the new video card, and what were some of the procedures you did to try to get it to work? This will help us understand where you may have went wrong. Also, you mentioned trying to install DirectX but said you couldn't. What was the error or problem?

Sometimes driver issues can be a real bear.

One of the easiest things to do is to try and get rid of old drivers that may still be present on the computer. Here's a simple way to get started on that process:

Click start -> run -> type cmd and press ENTER.
At the command prompt, type the following two lines:

set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
start devmgmt.msc

When device manager opens, click View -> Show Hidden Devices.
Expand the Display Adapter section and delete everything in there. If it requests that you reboot, do not reboot yet. Just keep deleting the items found in that section. Some will not disappear if it required a reboot. That's ok.
Now, also look for any section in device manager called "Unknown Devices." Repeat this process for that section.
When done, reboot your computer and let the video drivers reinstall. You may have to reinstall the drivers you downloaded from nvidia's website.