Problems with an old HD 4550

[Aghevl]

So a friend of mine gave me a working ATI HD 4550 and when I put it in my old system it didn't boot up. Same thing trying to put it in an OEM HP unit. I didn't use its display port/ DVI, instead I used the motherboard's VGA in both of the cases, I dont have a DVI/DP cable on me. Could this be the problem or is it something else? Thanks in advance 

[Electronics Wizardy]

You need to use the ports on the gpu. Buy a cable.

[Billy_Mays]

It's because in the bios it's probably set to the easiest one (can't remember what exactly it is) but it's an easy fix

[KenjiUmino]

35 minutes ago, Aghevl said:

instead I used the motherboard's VGA in both of the cases, 

there is your problem. 

 

you have to have a monitor connected to the card to use its output. 

 

maybe there is software around that allows the output of a dedicated GPU to be "patched thru" to another GPU's physical output (similar to what optimus does on laptops)

 

but i expect that this will introduce some kind of performance hit/lag/stutter or whatever and i doubt the trouble of getting this to work is worth it considering that display cables are dirt cheap

[Aghevl]

Okay, thank you guys! I really appreciate it.