You don't need to hook up a different monitor.
Reboot the computer and start in MSDOS mode. To do this hit the F8 key just BEFORE the Windows 98 splash screen (clouds) appears. If you miss it restart and try again. This will bring up a list of bootitems. Select the last choice MSDOS. The computer will boot to c:\> this is the C-prompt.
Type the following commands hit enter after each of the 2 command lines.
cd\
cd windows
edit system.ini
Once you do this a file will open with a blue backround and white letters. All you have to do is find the section that starts with [BOOT]. Its usually the first section but may be after another section. Use the arrow keys to move around. The line in the [BOOT] section that you are looking forwill say,
vga.drv=pnpdrvr.drv
Arrow down to the above line and change the line to read like the following. Don't hit enter, just change the line. Use backspace or delete keys to remove letters.
vga,drv=vga.drv
Once complete hit the ALT key, this will highlight the upper taskbar. Hit the F key for file arrow down to exit hit enter. At prompt to save changes select yes and hit enter. This will send you back to C:\>
Reboot the system and the video will come up in 16 colors. Change thecolor settings to no more than 16bit color and 640x480 resolution. You should be okay from there.
