You need to tell us your computer make and model

You need to find out by removing the side panel of your computer what size power supply you have in the computer. This video card requires a minimum of 400 watt power supply, see here and I am not too sure any factory built computer has that much power installed other then by upgrading.

Did he install DirectX 10.1?

Nice 3 minute video on it here

Hewlet-Packard
HP Compaq dc 7700p Convertible
Intel (R) Core (TM) 2CPU
6400 @ 213 GHz
213 Ghz 1.98 GB of RAM

Don't know about Direct X 10.1.....

Run free belarc to get all the info on what is in the pc.

Here is a link that might be useful: Belarc

I did as suggested above and ran Belarc...how do I get this information to you to process?

Do you need more than the following?

Operating System new � server roles System Model
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (build 2600)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United States)
Installed: 12/14/2006 8:46:58 AM Hewlett-Packard HP Compaq dc7700p Convertible Minitower
System Serial Number: MXL64800ZF
Asset Tag: MXL64800ZF
Chassis Serial Number: MXL64800ZF
Enclosure Type: Mini-Tower
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
2.13 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (2 total)
Not hyper-threaded Board: Hewlett-Packard 0A58h
Serial Number: MXL64800ZF
Bus Clock: 1066 megahertz
BIOS: Hewlett-Packard 786E1 v01.05 08/30/2006
new USB Storage Use in past 30 Days (mouse over last used for details) new Hosted Virtual Machines (mouse over name for details)
Last Used
HP Photosmart C5180, rev 1.00 6/17/2012 8:25:26 AM*
* Possibly used again before the reboot following this time.
None discovered
Drives new � drive encryption

Here's all of it..I didn't know if it would all come through on here, but I think it does:
Operating System new � server roles System Model
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (build 2600)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United States)
Installed: 12/14/2006 8:46:58 AM Hewlett-Packard HP Compaq dc7700p Convertible Minitower
System Serial Number: MXL64800ZF
Asset Tag: MXL64800ZF
Chassis Serial Number: MXL64800ZF
Enclosure Type: Mini-Tower
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
2.13 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (2 total)
Not hyper-threaded Board: Hewlett-Packard 0A58h
Serial Number: MXL64800ZF
Bus Clock: 1066 megahertz
BIOS: Hewlett-Packard 786E1 v01.05 08/30/2006
new USB Storage Use in past 30 Days (mouse over last used for details) new Hosted Virtual Machines (mouse over name for details)
Last Used
HP Photosmart C5180, rev 1.00 6/17/2012 8:25:26 AM*
* Possibly used again before the reboot following this time.
None discovered
Drives new � drive encryption Memory Modules c,d
491.41 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
432.05 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GSA-H31L [Optical drive]

ST3250824AS [Hard drive] (250.06 GB) -- drive 1, s/n 9ND0B8Y3, rev 3.AHJ, SMART Status: Healthy
WDC WD2500AAKX-083CA1 [Hard drive] (250.06 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WCAYV0892374, rev 17.01H17, SMART Status: Healthy 2032 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Slot 'XMM1' has 1024 MB (serial number 110CAEC5)
Slot 'XMM2' is Empty
Slot 'XMM3' has 1024 MB (serial number 140CB19A)
Slot 'XMM4' is Empty
Local Drive Volumes new � volume encryption

c: (NTFS on drive 0) * 241.35 GB 193.94 GB free
d: (NTFS on drive 1) 250.06 GB 238.10 GB free

* Operating System is installed on c:
Network Drives
None discovered
Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers
local user accounts last logon
Administrator 6/18/2012 12:16:11 PM (admin)
local system accounts
Admin never (admin)
ASPNET never
Guest never
HelpAssistant never
SUPPORT_388945a0 never

Marks a disabled account; Marks a locked account

HP Photosmart C5100 series on USB003
Microsoft Office Document Image Writer Driver on Microsoft Document Imaging Writer Port:
Microsoft XPS Document Writer on XPSPort:
Controllers Display
Standard floppy disk controller
Intel(R) ICH8 4 port Serial ATA Storage Controller - 2820
Primary IDE Channel [Controller] (2x)
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller] (2x)
Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller ATI Radeon HD 3600 Series [Display adapter]
Acer V223W [Monitor] (22.0"vis, s/n ETLC3081381320C9224238, August 2011)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
Intel(R) ICH8 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2830
Intel(R) ICH8 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2831
Intel(R) ICH8 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2834
Intel(R) ICH8 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2835
Intel(R) ICH8 Family USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 2836
Intel(R) ICH8 Family USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 283A AMD High Definition Audio Device
Realtek High Definition Audio
Virus Protection [Back to Top] Group Policies
Microsoft Security Essentials Version 4.0.1526.0
Scan Engine Version 1.1.8403.0
Virus Definitions Version 1.127.2180.0
Realtime File Scanning On
Microsoft Security Essentials Version 2.1.6805.0
Virus Definitions Version Up To Date
Realtime File Scanning Off
None discovered
Communications new � connection speed & status Other Devices
U.S. Robotics V92 Fax PCI [Modem]

↑ Intel(R) 82566DM Gigabit Network Connection
primary Auto IP Address: 192.168.1.10 / 24
Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Dhcp Server: 192.168.1.1
Physical Address: 00:0F:FE:48:02:BF
Networking Dns Server: 192.168.1.1
USB Human Interface Device
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
HID-compliant mouse
PS/2 Compatible Mouse
Generic USB Hub
USB Root Hub (6x)
See your entire network map...
click for Belarc's System Management products
Network Map (mouse over IP address for physical address) [Back to Top]
IP Device Type Device Details Device Roles
192.168.1.1 Router Netgear DHCP Server, Gateway, Domain Name Server, Web Server
192.168.1.10 Windows XP Workstation Pcs4464 (in WORKGROUP) Print Server, Browse Master
Find your security vulnerabilities...
click for Belarc's System Management products
Missing Microsoft Security Hotfixes [Back to Top]

All required security hotfixes (using the 06/12/2012 Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary) have been installed.

Hotfixes from Microsoft Update (agent version 7.4.7600.226) wait for download and install approval. Last install: 6/4/2012 7:41:09 AM, download: 6/4/2012 7:39:20 AM, check: 6/18/2012 5:13:47 AM.

On the top or side of the case there is a code on the HP label that ends with #ABA what are the 7 digits before this?

In the original post you wrote this - "ATI Radeon HP 3600 Series graphics" - you meant HD and not HP, correct?

How wide or high is the computer case? I am trying to determine if you have a small form factor (about 4 inches high or wide, or the standard case about 7 inches wide.

I do not think Belarc provides the power supply figures so you are going to have to open the case. If it is a small form factor case there are 2 buttons near the front, one on each side. Depress these and draw the cover towards you. The power supply is clearly visible in the rear left corner with the label on top. If it is a standard case there will be possibly 2 screws at the back holding the side panel on, remove these, slide the panel forward and off. The power supply will be up top at the back of the case with the label visible on the side. either way we need the output watts please.

Either remove the power cord from the rear while doing this or keep your fingers out of the interior.

EN32BUT before the ABA...yes, HD The case is about 7 inches wide. I'm not strong enough to move the case out and remove the side, I'll have to wait for someone to be here...the side
just slides off...

OK I now think you have the dc7700p "convertible minitower" using the HP jargon.

Look here and scroll well down the page to a 4 column boxed table, yours is the right hand column. About a third of the way down it shows the power supply size which is 365 watts. You'll also notice they offer a 365 watt PLUS 80, not sure what this is but it likely is a better quality piece for computers with heavier power demands. No more wattage available but a heavy duty supply - better quality.

ATI state the video card requires a minimum of 400 watts, meaning a 450 watt or higher would be preferred. And not a cheapie low end power supply.

I don't mean to bad mouth your tech but it seems odd that you have had to haul this machine back there so often for a basic fault he might have created. Upscale video cards are power hungry. Video cards are big business and can cost plenty and I would think every tech would be well informed about them and their power needs.

Was there a particular aim to buying this upscale card? I ask because you have a professional quality business machine and generally they do not lend themselves to being upgraded to gaming computers.

My kids and grandkids wanted to play games....I've taken it back to the shop...and don't mind the bad mouthing...I'm thinking that myself

Ouch! Sorry if I upset the grand kids.

That is probably the wise choice because you may have spent another $60 to $80 for a better power supply that is still going in an older machine. Too often they become obsolete by the time you look for a new computer.

Just today while rebuilding/modifying my main machine but keeping most parts to run the second one I had the very same issue. I have a couple of power supplies hanging around here but on inspection neither is good enough for either computer so I have just spent $80 plus tax on yet another power supply.

Upgrading is a challenge at times and often not worth the effort.

I'll spend the extra bucks as long as he gets it working...all I want is for it to work :o)