Many modern video cards include 3D acceleration as one of their features.
This was not always the case -- for some time, one needed one video card for
ordinary Windows desktop an applications, and another to accelerate 3D
games.
  Odds are good that new laptops are including video with this capability,
but I don't know of an add-on for older laptops.

  Installing a driver from the OS pool of included drivers mostly happens
automatically when the OS detects the presence of the device hardware.  Some
devices cannot be detected under some conditions, and so as you've found
there is a way to manually install the supporting driver.  This shouldn't
cause problems (other than slightly slowing the boot process), but it also
won't accomplish anything if the hardware device is NEVER present.

David Gillett



On 24 Jul 2005 at 4:24, kunal kumar wrote:

Date sent:              Sun, 24 Jul 2005 04:24:04 +0100
Send reply to:          PCBUILD - Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
                <[log in to unmask]>
From:                   kunal kumar <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:                [PCBUILD] Hardware Problem.
To:                     [log in to unmask]

> Hello,
>             I have this Pentium 2 and a lot of free demos of pc games. I also have DirectX9.0c.
> But the main prob is that system speed is very slow and neither of any pc game work. Always asking for 3D accelerator card.
> Now my question is - are there any 3D Accelerator card available for laptops, as mine is a compaq.
> Another query-whats the difference between 3D accelerator card and a video graphic card?. Are both one and the same?.
>
> Apart from that, i still wanted to know ....whats with that feature in "my computer" security settings ...if we search in that we see an icon called ADD NEW HARDWARE. If we click in that we are asked if we want to install recommended or manual hardware from the given choice list. In that too, there are various categories like "plug and play devices". If we click that there are shown various companies names...etc. That provides us with options like permedia 3d, ESS....etc.
> If we select anyone of it, the system itself installs and asks for card entry???.
> Like for egs. I chosed Thrustmaster ACM Gamecard. And it did got installed and after restarting the computer, the name did appeared in the Device Manager list. Then what exactly is the status of the hardware?. Do we have to buy and install a new card of that company...or is it already installed???.
> And then if it is then what should i do to get my existing video card to perform at its peak level?.
>
> Any Solutions.
>
> ------------------------
>
> KP
>
>
>
>
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