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Video Display

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We recently had our hard drive reformatted. Since then the only display options I have are 2 & 16 colors and 640 X 480 display. We had 256 colors and higher pixels before reformatting. I do not know what video driver to select to give me these settings. I tried a couple that were not compatible. Can anyone help me with this problem? We have alot of things that require more color and we hate the large icons.

Thank you....
LMC

5 replies

by evansed1

You left a lot of information out. Are these on board video cards? If not pull the card and check for the manufacturer. Go to the appropriate web-site and download the latest drives. Many have utilities to identify the chipset that you are using. If it is built in (on board) then go the computers manufacturer's web-site.

by hakan berg

You need to get the right driver for your video display interface card. You might also have to tell the os what display you are using before it lets you use higher resolutions and refresh rates. Check manufacturer and model, the information beeing in documentation, or open computer to see what's written on the card (but only if you you feel you know how to do this). If os doesn't have the driver needed, try searching the manufacturer's home page.

by hekkletekk

... the video board, or at least the chipset, MAY be to go into the BIOS setup routine. (This is to be used only after trying to find drivers on PC mfr website.)
If video is built-in to the system-board, it will almost certainly be identified, evendown to the rev level. If it is a plug-in AGP or PCI PlugnPray, it probably will still give you chipset info. If old ISA... get a new board.
Running your BIOS Setup program varies from mfr to mfr.
With Compaq PCs, press F10 during boot when prompted. AMI BIOS, press DEL. Watch the screen carefully during boot as directions to run BIOS setup usually appear BRIEFLY.
A CAVEAT!!!: Do not change anything in BIOS unless you really KNOW what it will do. Instead, just gather information.
Once you have the info, go to mfrs Website. If you just have OEM chipset info, you can search on Yahoo for that paricualr string. You'll get back lots of hits.

by e-dog

First you have to identify your card or chipset. The easiest way to do this is to physically identify by looking inside the case. If you can't or don't feel comfortable doing that follow these instructions.
1. From a DOS prompt, Win 3.x, Win9x, WinNT, or Win2K command prompt type DEBUG and press Enter.
2. A single dash will appear at which point type DC000:35 and then press Enter (DC000:50 may also work for newer cards).
3. You may need to type D at the second dash and press Enter for all of the information to appear.
Then go to www.driverzone.com or www.winfiles.com or www.windrivers.com and hunt down that driver.

by arg cio

;-) No, I know you didn't.. It is on Microsoft's site! don't forget, MS's site is still a great resource with LOTS of useful information!

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