Graphics Card

I don't think SL likes my graphics card. Can I download a better driver, or must I purchase a certain type? Please help.

The best answer is going to depend on what you currently have. Do you know?

If not, you can do this:

Click START
Right-Click on My Computer
Click on Properties.
Click on the Hardware tab.
Click on Device Manager
Click on the + next to Display Adapters

The device listed under Display Adapters is your video card.

I have Intel 82845G

you will most likley need a new card, since SL doesnt offically support this model, altho theres a decent amount of ppl in SL with a intel video card, so there is hope

sl offically supports Nvidia and Ati video cards, which is 100% standard for 3d entertainment

what make and model is your computer ?

i have a windows xp... and it is also an emachines but that's all i know.
my intel card says "3d" on it.

I would reccomend an Nvidia 6600. The big question is whether you have an AGP or PCI-Express slot. (And hopefully you won't have to settle for just PCI)

You can check it this way:

Unplug all the cables from your computer and place the box on its side on a table.

Open the side (you may need a phillips screwdriver)

Inside you'll see all the 'guts' of the computer (maybe dusty. If you want to clean it, used compressed air *only*, do not wipe or use any liquids)

On the big circuit board (the motherboard) you will see expansion card slots that will correspond to metal slots on the back of the case. You may have one or more cards already seated in these slots.

Now the "top most" slot is the important one. It'll be the slot closest the processor which is under the big metal finned thing (a heatsink). It's shape will tell us what it is.

The other slots are probably white and about as long as your index finger.

If the all of your slots are white, you can only use PCI video cards.

If the topmost slot is dark brown in color and the same length as the white slots but offset from them by an inch or so, you can use AGP video cards.

If the topmost slot is thinner than the white ones, probably black in color, and longer than the white ones, then you can use a PCI-Express video card.

If you are not comfortable with doing this, or get confused, you can take just teh box to your local computer shop/Best Buy and they should be able to tell you what type of graphics slot you have. (Don't let them sell you anything, just get the answer you want and go, you can buy from them when you are sure of what you want. The most you want to leave with at this visit would be a can of compressed air if you need it.)

I hope this helps. Let us know what you find out.

Does this eMachines computer have a model number? If you can find the model number, it would help us get an idea of what might or might not work in a video card upgrade.

If it has Emachines on it you can pretty much bet the power supply won't handle much in the way of a modern video card. You can give it a try and it works, you were lucky. If not you will be adding another $50- $75+ for a new power supply.