New card won't work, now old card won't work

[MinGraphics]

I was trying to upgrade my Husbands graphics card from a 128mb to a 256mb. This is how the card was when we opened the computer, the video card was in top slot in this picture http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/MinGraphics/IMG_0522.jpg

This is what the card that has been in the computer for 5 years looks like. http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/MinGraphics/IMG_0524.jpg

The computer is a 5 year old Dell, I contacted Dell and they sold me this card ATI Radeon 256M X1300PCI SFF. Link to picture:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/MinGraphics/IMG_0529.jpg

When we opened the computer we found that the card sold to us did not fit into the same green slot the old one came from, so we put it in one of the white slots just below the green one in this picture:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/MinGraphics/IMG_0523.jpg

...it did not work. We just bought a 22'' wide screen monitor that was working with the old card, but when we tried to put the old card back in all we get now is this message on the monitor. http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/MinGraphics/IMG_0526.jpg I pluggged that little 4 prong wire back into it so I have no idea why it says it has no power.
I would like to get the new card to work if anyone can help! If not I will have to send it back to Dell with an idea of where they can put it!! But that won't help my Husband or his computer. This is the biggest reason I am building my own computer so I know whats in it and how to upgrade when I want. Dell sucks.

[RickyTick]

Don't despair. It will work again. And Dell doesn't suck. You should have tried dealing with Compaq, or Gateway. UUgh!!

Great pictures, but you didn't give a lot of specifics about the original card or the pc specs. I'm guessing thats a Dimension 8100 or 8200, right?

It kinda looks like you have an AGP card and tried to use a PCI card that obviously didn't fit. That's ok, but it doesn't tell you why your old card suddenly doesn't work.

Did you put the original card back in the video card slot (green), and your're sure the 4pin molex connector is secure? If it was working when you took it out, then it should work if you put it back in exactly the same way it came out.

[MinGraphics]

I guess this is one of those times when I am glad I save everything, I have the print out of when I built it on line so here is the info. It was built in Feb of 2003
Dell Dimension 4550 series
Pentium 4 processor at 2.40GHz w/533MHz front side bus/512K L2
1GB DDR SDRAM at 333MHz (upgraded by me later) came with 512
120GB ultra ATA/100 hard drive 7200RPM
zip drive 250MB
CD Drive (upgraded later by me)
DVD recorder (upgraded later by me)
128mb DDR ATI Radeon 977Pro Graphics Card w/TV-Out and DVI
windows xp home

New video card ( ATI Radeon 256M x 1300PCI SFF) came with no paper work not even install instructions, I had to change out the metal strip that holds it in the computer to a longer one so it would fit. I put it in the white strip that was right below the green one, but did notice that there was no where to put that power plug into the new one. It did not work at all the screen was black. I than tried changing all the plugs, the white(DVI) and blue, none of them made a difference. I put the old card back in the green slot it came out of and that is when I got that message on the screen. I am going to play with the old card now and see if maybe the plug is not tight or something.

Did Dell send me the wrong card to upgrade or can we make it work, I am not sure now if I should call them and send it back. If I need to send it back do you know what I can by from NewEgg that would work? My Husband uses a lot of Adobe programs, he is an artist and really needs this update, and he is not going to get my new computer...if Intel ever comes out with the new quads I'm waiting for :p well He can use it when I'm not home:rolleyes:
Thanks for you help Guys
(update)
I went in and made sure all the plugs were on tight and now the old card is working again, any ideas on how to get the new one in and working would be greatly appreciated!!

[RickyTick]

Good, I'm glad you got it working again. It just had to be a bad connection somewhere.

The Dimension 4550 will only accept an AGP 4x video card. That X1300 is PCI and will not work. Send it back.

With that said, there are not many options for AGP style video cards. If you want to stay with ATI, you might look at this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161053

or if you're interested in Nvidia, look at this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130076

Either of these cards will work, but you'll have to update you driver.

[MinGraphics]

Thank you, I will go and look at them, is the Nvidia card better? I was wondering because my Son-in-law said ATI is not a good card, but that was the only choice Dell gave me.
Thanks again for your help, everyone here is so nice and you get your questions answered so fast!:)

[RickyTick]

On most of the high-end video cards, Nvidia has a performance edge over ATI. That doesn't mean that ATI is fundamentally flawed in some way.

I like Nvidia. That in itself doesn't make it better. Do a little research, and make an informed decision.

Visit Newegg.com and zipzoomfly.com and see what's available. If you have questions, come back here and ask.

Just remember that you need an AGP 4x video card.

[MinGraphics]

Good, I'm glad you got it working again. It just had to be a bad connection somewhere.

The Dimension 4550 will only accept an AGP 4x video card. That X1300 is PCI and will not work. Send it back.

With that said, there are not many options for AGP style video cards. If you want to stay with ATI, you might look at this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161053

or if you're interested in Nvidia, look at this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130076

Either of these cards will work, but you'll have to update you driver.

Just wanted to update you, I did buy the Nividia card, just installed it and the drivers, it's working fine. I waited to order it with all the new computer parts for my build.Thank you for your help RickyTick! Now I am off to ask about flashing my new MB.:)

[RickyTick]

That's great.

Glad I could help.