problem installing ATI 9600XT on asus A7V8X-LA

I had a quick look for the manual but couldn't find it, so I couldn't check myself, but I don't suppose there's a jumper somewhere on the motherboard to turn the on-board video off?

All boards I've ever known with on-board AGP and a slot would auto-detect when a card was inserted though.

A couple of other points:

1) your power supply is very feeble by the standards of today. Your symptoms don't point directly to the PSU being the culprit (I would expect you to get to a certain point and then suffer instability/crashes/reboots/etc, if that were the case), but it'll probably die fairly soonish with the extra load of that card anyway. a Decent Brand 350-400W supply or better would be safer.

2) try removing other hardware like sound cards and network cards, if you have any. probably won't help, but standard troubleshooting procedure

3) Try resetting the BIOS after you've inserted the card (remove power, remove CMOS battery, move the clear CMOS jumper over for a minute, then reverse the steps) maybe it will help.

4) Does that card have an extra molex power connector that you've overlooked? can't remember if they ever put those on the 9600XT cards, and I'm tired so can't be bothered to check ATM.

Read the motherboards FAQ at the top of this forum for a few more ideas.

I'm going to bed, and tommorrow I'm getting on a 'plane, so don't expect me to reply anytime soon, but others probably will.

Good luck!

P.S. Break your posts up with some paragraphs. Seeing a huge block of text like that puts many people off reading it - It's much more of an effort, and details are much easier to miss when presented like that.

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"Sex without love is an empty experience...
But as empty experiences go, it's one of the best" - Woody Allen

You must install an GART driver for motherboard to be able to read new graphics card 1st. Very important!!!!