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problem with display adaptor

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by rpsk_2

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I use Windows NT 4.0 workstation. a few days back, the system crashed and so i need to re-run the OS. i had an old CD of NT4.0, but with service pack 1. so i installed the OS, but presently i had the problem with the display adptor. the resolution is now set to 800x600 with standard VGA adaptor with 16 bit color. the monitor i use is SONY SFI and from my previous knowledge, i used to have better resolution. i tried to change the present resolution, but to no avail. the system refuses to change the resolution. so i request any of you to suggest me to restore my screen resolution.

13 replies

by tejota

You'll need to install service pack 3 or higher to change your resolution. The first NT4.0 did not allow you to do this until you ran the service pack. The second edition or batch of NT4.0 that came out allowed you to change the resolution before even installing a service pack. Once again, install your service packs, atleast 3, and you'll be working.

Later...........TJ

by numbies

I have seen this a number of times and you will definitely need to apply the service pack. On NT4 I have seen this happen when the display driver was added after the service pack and did not work until the service pack was re-applied. Unless there is a valid reason I would suggest SP6a.

by joseph moore

Try looking for NT4 display drivers for your video card. Check the web site for the video card's manufacturer. Run those drivers, and then you will have better resolution. Reinstalling the OS would have wiped out any 3rd party drivers you had on thebox.

by d_v ant

The first answer was correct, but for the wrong reasons. NT4 does not support AGP graphics unless SP3 or higher is installed. You need to install the service pack, restart, load your video drivers, restart, reapply the service pack, and restart again. Welcome to the fun world of NT.
If you are using a PCI graphic card, make sure you have the latest drivers loaded from the manufacturer's web site.

by @lberto

Hello there,

If you didn't apply at least SP3 you will be only using Windows default video adapter resolution which allow you only to use 16 colors, that's why you resolution is so poor. To fix this problem, first of all install the latest Service Pack available. In your case SP7 (I'd rather install SP6a which was already tested by some other users), you'l probably will have to apply hotfix. You can find them at
http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/sp7.asp,
support.microsoft.com or www.microsoft.com, just download the Service Packs and apply them. Then install the correct video drivers, if you don't have them you'll probably will have to download them or contact your hardware vendor. Once this is all done you will be able to change yourdisplay resolution.

I hope this helps and if you got any other problem e-mail me back.
@lberto
alberto@pancarib.com

by bkinsey1

Service Pack level doesn't make any difference if your video card is PCI; if it's an AGP card you do need SP3 or higher to enable AGP support in NT. But the first thing you need to do is reinstall your video driver, or you can have whatever ServicePack you want and it won't help. NT doesn't plug and play your video card, you've got to install the driver manually. On a similar note, the monitor itself doesn't matter to NT; it's not set up as a device as it is in 9x/Me.

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