Video Card - GMA 3100X and High Definition DVD Drive

Ok.

Last month, I got my first real laptop, and am really excited. I bought a crappy Gateway 3 yrs ago, and because of the problems with the service center, they gave me a free Toshiba Satellie A205. The SPECs are as follows. The computer also came a HD DVD drive (720p).

-Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo (1.5Ghz, 667 MHz front side bus)
-System Memory - 2GB DDR2 SDRAM
-Display - 1280 x 800 (WXGA widescreen TFT-LCD with TruBrite technology)
-Graphics - Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100X

I am not much of a gamer. I would like to be able to play some shooter games online and on one-player mode. I figured my video card could handle half-life 2 so I bought it. I installed the game, though there are some issues with the game. It starts up, but some of the background flickers and sometimes the game seems a little slow (though I'm not sure). I have read some reviews saying the GMA 3100X can handle half-life 2, though others say it can't.

I am relatively computer illiterate, though I know where to look for information. My questions to you:

-Is my processor sufficient?

-What can I do to fix this issue with my graphics card? I went to the Intel website and tried to download some new drives for my video card. When I tried to install I got the following error message - "Driver is not validated for your computer". I have no idea what this means. If there is no other way I can "fix" my current video card, I am willing to purchase a new video card. Does anyone have any recommendations on what would match my needs? I would like something nice, but economical ($150 max). Please let me know any websites or places where I could purchase such an item. If I was to purchase a new video card, I would like to have something decent enough to play most games (nothing with crazy requirements). Please let me know what I can expect from any recommended video cards you give.
-Is there any way for me to reap the benefits of the HD DVD drive while gaming? I have heard all of the hype about these drives, but I have seen NO benefits thus far. Can I do anything with this, except view HD movies on my computer?!?!

-Also if you have any other recommendations to make my computer better please let me know.

-This is off topic, but what is the deal with the Toshiba Satellite thing? I heard somewhere that the satellite models can pick up internet anywhere; similar to a cell phone. Is this true? If not, what is unique about this line of notebooks (i.e, why are the called satellie")

Any and all comments will be extremely appreciated. I don't know much and don't know where to turn. This is my first time going to a forum. So please pop my forum cherry! THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!!!!

 

I just read somewhere else that I may be stuck with this graphics card. Does this make any sense?? I have never heard of not being able to upgrade something. That would be absolutely horrible. Thanks again.

 

Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade a laptop video card. Also, the 1.5 Ghz Core 2 Duo is not the best for gaming, especially because it has less processor cache and runs on the older platform....and also since half-life 2 can use one core at a time, you can only get 1.5 ghz of processing power at max.

Also, try running HL2 at minimum settings, it will probably help.

The only computers that can pick up anywhere have cellular broadband wireless, a service one has to pay for.

Satellite is just the name of that line of Toshiba laptops.

 

Some i mean about all laptops can't upgraded Your Processor and Ram is not the problem... Do you have VISTA ?

 

I run HL2 with a Athlon ThunderBird 1.4Ghz ( Made in 1999 ) so the CPU is not the prob..

 

Thanks for the responses.

I am running Vista Home Premium (32-bit).
Also, how can I run HL2 at minimum settings? I went into the option area and the different things I can adjust include but are not limited to resolution, aspect ratio, brightness, detail (model, texture, shader, water, shadow), color correction, filtering mode.
-Since I am stuck with my current laptop, do you have any suggestions on games that I CAN play? I am not looking for anything great (graphics don't mean much to me). I want something entertaining that I can play online. When I am at the store, is there anything that I should look for that would help me realize if the game will be able to play on my computer? The GMA 3100X is supposed to play DirectX v10.0. HL2 is DirectX v9.0, so I thought it could be played. This apparently is not the case. What is DirectX anyways?

Thanks again.

 

Update drivers ( Game & Graphics card ). And lower the resolution.
( I pretty sure your lappy will run HL2 at minimum )

 

FarCry ( Very smooth)
Civilization 4
Doom3 ( With some tweaks in the autoexec.cfg, I am able to run it on medium-high..., there is mainly one option that you must put to off, if you want the games to be smooth.
Look here:
http://ucguides.savagehelp.com/Doom3/FPSVisuals.htm)
Call Of Duty 2 (In DirectX7.0 Mode @ High Detail)
FEAR was really playable.
Unreal Tournament 2004

 

Strange. You must have chosen a bad driver.

 

Look here also:

The GMA X3100 gaming thread - HL2 screens + more
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=148045

 

Ok, here's something that'll please you about the drivers:

1. DL and SAVE drivers

2. Uninstall current driver( resolution will decrease, this is normal)( If you dont uninstall, you cant install new drivers, so HERES YOUR SOLUTION!)

3. INSTALL new drivers