PCI VGA Card problem

[jbp20717]

I was building a PC for my aunt and realised that the motherboard I'd bought (ASUS P4P800-E Deluxe) didn't have a VGA output - something I really should've noticed.
As I was at the limit of the budget I'd been set and my aunt isn't really going to be playing games on the PC, I thought I'd just use an old (4MB) PCI graphics card I had, but when I power on the system I get a "System failed VGA test" message

As there are no specifications for PCI graphics cards mentioned in the motherboard manual (only for AGP cards) I believed I could use pretty much any graphics card I wanted, but apparently not - does anyone know why it wouldn't be working?

as its a holiday at the moment here in France - the shops not opening until Wednesday - I just wanted to check if I could resolve the problem before having to go an buy a GFX card.

Thanks

[herulach]

How are you getting the message? Audio? Your best bet is to send the board back and get one with integrated video if you can. Dont see any reason why it wouldnt work, assuming of course the card is functioning correctly.

[jbp20717]

Yeah, the message is audio...it lists anything that could be wrong and the VGA test is the only thing it mentions - I doubt it would be a problem with the motherboard if it realizes that there is an issue?
I noticed in the manual that the BIOS has preferential settings for different GFX cards, but didn't mention 4MB ones
I think I may try an AGP card before thinking about replacing the motherboard (what with all the other components bought and installed), as the mobo manual does at least specify to an extent which AGP graphics cards would be compatible.

Essentially, I'd prefer to think the issue was with the GFX card rather than the motherboard

[TheAnimus]

i don't know about this board, but it might be that its not looking for a card in PCI slot. Only AGP.

[jbp20717]

There's an option in the BIOS that allows you to set the default video signal as AGP or PCI, so it presumably looks for a card in both slots.

I think I'll try a cheap AGP card, as it has set specifications for AGP (X4/8, 1.5V)

[arthurleung]

May be the card is just too old. The newer PCI cards may not be compatible with the old ones due to voltage issue?