Tv on laptop

Hi Sam. I was just reading your other posts and I hoped you would reply! I am running XP, and I downloaded drivers for the unit from their website, so I assume they are the newest. I read somewhere else about directx, but it was on areally technical site so I didnt really get it.

Darren,

What brand/model is the tuner? Is it a Digital or Analogue tuner?

cheers,
Sam.

It is an analogue tuner, Vidiot by AV Labs.

Darren,

to get the latest version of DirectX
you can go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=141D5F9E-07C1-462A-BAEF-5EAB5C851CF5&displaylang=en This is the web installer version, and it downloads only the components needed. If you want the full version you can go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A6DEE0DB-DCCE-43EA-87BB-7C7E1FD1EAA2&displaylang=en Or if you have a recent computer magazine CD lying around, there is bound to be a copy of DirectX 9b. Or if you have purchased any recent games, a copy might be on the CD (if it isn't already installed)

You can check what version of DirectX you currently have installed by going to
Start Menu -> Run
and then typing dxdiag and clicking Ok.

On The first tab down the bottom there will be a DirectX Verison.

Do you know what type of video card is installed in the Armada?

cheers,
SAm.

I have just downloaded and installed directx, but how do I find out what my video card is?

Start Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Display

Select the Settings Tab and then click the Advanced button down the bottom. The select the Adapter Tab. It should give you the name of the video adapter and also some info about it (ie how much video RAM it has, the chip type)

Hi, I dont have an 'advanced' button on my settings, but I looked in the device manager and found a 'display adapter'. (ATI RAGE Mobility compaq). Is that my video card?

Yep
thats it, and it should be able to handle video overlay without any problems. Compaq(HP) don't seem to offer any update drivers for the Mobility chipsets so I guess the one that comes with XP is the latest and ATI dont supply driver updates for notebooks powered by their chips due to each brand/model being different. Have you applied all the latest Service packs and patches to XP?

Darren,

have you access to another computer you can try it on? Is the laptop actually recognising the unit when you plug it in to the USB port?

Sam.

First of all, thanks sooo much for helping me, I know you are probably as busy as any one else. I just got on the microsoft site and tried to download a service pack it said I needed. It wouldnt install properly because I dont have a necessary product key. I bought the laptop off the internet second hand, so that might be why. I did find on there, an update for MSS Technology something, which I think has something to do with video and audio (?), so I got that. My hardware manager came up and said it found some new hardware! So I am going to try to install the tuner one more time. Fingers crossed. :)

Well I just tried to install again, software went in OK, restarted, now it is frozen on a scandisk screen. The funny thing is, I cant shutdown and restart, because it runs on batteries! Now I am waiting for it to do something, or for the batteries to run out. :)

Darren,

Sounds like XP was loaded using a now defunct CD-Key. There were a few "Corporate" CD Keys that were able to by-pass the Product Activation that were being used. Microsoft set Service Pack 1 up to detect these and not install.

By the way, check your member messages.

cheers,
Sam.

The reason you are stuck on the Scandisk is as said, you have a shonky version of XP. Seen it many times ;-)

You can hack the registry and change it, but not advisable if your not sure what your doing.

You may have to buy a copy legit, and have it installed, or see if you can get a restore CD off Ebay, or somewhere for your make and model laptop, but they are rare..

I needed a new portable TV for travelling and bought the DSE 15" LCD TV for $599 and am very impressed. Good sound and picture. Samsung screen. Beats all of the hassles with trying to reuse the laptop. It can be wall mounted as well. Also comes with a good remote control and can double as a computer monitor with VGA input.