Help - Graphics card problems.

So, I bought this computer, Acer Aspire 5315.
It came with Vista on it, but I wanted XP, so I formatted it, and installed windows XP..
Before I did that, SL worked perfectly on my computer, very little lag, not many problems at all.
NOW... it doesn't even load... says my video card isn't updated or something like that... and I don't know how to fix that, I've tried updating it, nothing works...
Is there anyone who knows what kind of driver I can/should install to make it work again?

Uhh...did you do anything AFTER installing Windows? Like installing the drivers for your graphics card, along with everything else?

Check the manufacturer's website for the latest update, and install that.

Of course I installed all of the drivers. I have the latest update for my graphics card. I have done everything.. I don't know what else to do, because it used to run just fine, now it doesn't.

I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but you're probably SOL. The Aspire 5315 has an integrated Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor in it. That's not supported by SL. The only Intel IGP supported are those found on motherboards with the 945 chipset. The X3100 utilizes either the 960 or 965, neither of which are the same thing as the 945.

If it was working before you changed the OS, that was a stroke of luck, nothing more. Unsupported hardware might or might not work. Clearly, with the XP version of the driver, it does not.

Also, just so you know, you should never ever change the OS on a laptop without doing a TON of research first. Laptops tend to have specialized hardware, which often will not work fully, if at all, with any operating system but the one the machine comes with.

My recommendation would be you restore the Aspire to factory settings, return it to wherever you bought it from, and buy a machine with hardware that is fully supported by SL. That means get something with a discrete graphics card. Integrated graphics should be avoided at all costs. Laptops with discrete graphics start around $800. nVidia graphics cards have the best track record with SL.

@Tamarah

I have SL running on a 3y+ old HP with GMA915. It works, not too good, but it does.

You may want to have a look at a pre-windlight viewer. Only 2 options tho, Nicholaz Old School or Cool Viewer 1.19.

http://nicholaz-beresford.blogspot.com or link in my sig.

@Chosen
X3100 is supported by the 1.22.11.0 viewer. Have a look at gpu_table.txt

Ah, good to know. Thanks, Boy. I guess somoene at LL should get around updating the sysreq's page on the website.

Tamarah, go ahead and ignore the first two paragraphs of my last post. Sorry for any confusion.

Actually Nicholaz Be (Bleeding edge) is non Windlight as well. It has Voice whereas Old School does not.

I've used all 3 and they are all great.

Hmmm....BE is 1.18.5.3, that was the first version Windlight was introduced IIRC. Not 100% sure tho.

Thanks for all your help guys. It's much appreciated. I'm trying it out now, I'll let you know what happens.

can anyone help ? i have a laptop with Intel 915 chipset and SL no longer runs on this. Must i toss my laptop out the window or give up my SL fix i really do miss sl and its not much fun just talking on SLim or TRim may as well be on MSN then lol. I hope there is a solution to this problem thanks Silky

If you have a really old chipset like that your best bet is one of the alternate viewers.

http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Alternate_viewers#