Computer Gurus PLEASE HELP

[freefalle 0]

Im trying to set up a computer for my Sons heres the problem, It had windows 98 on it, there was apparently a BUNCH of crap on the hard drive and it was running like crap. So I reinstalled windows 98 It apparently reinstalled okay with the exception of the fact that I can not get it to switch to 256 colors when I go to control pannel, display, and advanced the 16 colors is the only thing that appears in the drop down menu Ive been told it appears the driver is missing for 256 color. Does anyone know what the problem is or where I can get the driver, I obviously dont have it on the windows 98 CD Ive installed. Something else that strange though I tried the reinstalltwice using 2 seperate windows 98 CDs and have had the same problem with both the CDs any suggestions??


Thanks

[indyz 1]

What is the model of the video card? And why do you want to run in 256 color mode?

Ignore that second question. I thought you wanted to go down from 16-bit color to 256 colors. My mistake.

[Flyer2Diver 0]

If you right-click on "My Computer", then go to properties (I think) - then "device manager" - you should be able to see the video card showing up. If you can determine what model video card is installed, you should be able to go to the manufacturer's web site and download the appropriate driver - which will give you access to added resolution/colors (if it supports it, I suggest at least 65k colors, rather than only 256)

Blue Skies
John

_______________________________
30005KT 10SM SKC 23/05 A3006

[kansasskydiver 0]

More than likely, if I remember correctly, win 98 doesn't let you just do a "upgrade" or install of missing files. By installing the software ontop of itself you're not really fixing any problems, just installing them again, or did you do a reformat and then install? If you did a reformat and then installed win98 then that's your problem. The drivers for your video card were installed on your HD. If you have a built on video card, more than likely you'll need to get the drivers from the OEM (HP, Compaq, Gateway etc) If it was a built computer you'll need to get the drivers for the onboard video from the manu's website.

To check all this do the below=>

right click my computer>properties>device manager>
if there are any missing drivers or incorrect drivers it will show them right off the bat with either a "?" "!" or "X" on the device.

Another place to look is in a category called "Other devices" if there is anything listed in there, depending on what it is, this could be your problem.

Also, check the category called "Monitor" and see if it's recognizing your monitor.

Post again and let us know with some more information on how you installed windows and what your device manager looks like

Chris

<--- See look, pink dolphins DO exist!

[Guest]

Quote

Im trying to set up a computer for my Sons heres the problem, It had windows 98 on it, there was apparently a BUNCH of crap on the hard drive and it was running like crap. So I reinstalled windows 98 It apparently reinstalled okay with the exception of the fact that I can not get it to switch to 256 colors when I go to control pannel, display, and advanced the 16 colors is the only thing that appears in the drop down menu Ive been told it appears the driver is missing for 256 color. Does anyone know what the problem is or where I can get the driver, I obviously dont have it on the windows 98 CD Ive installed. Something else that strange though I tried the reinstalltwice using 2 seperate windows 98 CDs and have had the same problem with both the CDs any suggestions??


Thanks

Your display adapter (video card) needs driver software that is peculiar to it and is not bundled with Win98. Fear not, this is very, very common.

You need to --

1. Identify the video card by manufacturer's name and model number

2. Do a search for drivers. You can start at download.com, or just use Google. There are several online repositories of drivers for older cards if you can't find anything on the manufacturer's website. Download the executable or zip and put it in a temporary folder on your desktop. Unzip the driver file within that folder by using an unzip utility or just double-click on it if it's self-extracting.

3. Open the system properties (right-click on "My Computer", select "Properties". Click on the "Device Manager" tab).

4. Click on the "+" sign next to "Display Adapters", and read what it says. It should say "Standard VGA Adapter"

5. Click on that title ("Standard VGA Adapter"), then click on the "Properties" button located at the bottom of the window.

6. Click on the "Driver" tab, then click on "Update Driver".

7. Follow the wizard instructions and point the wizard's browser to the desktop folder containing the driver files for the video card. Be sure to have your Win98 system disk handy in case it's needed.

8. Closeout, reboot, then go to the system and change the display properties again. You should be able to adjust the resolution and color depth from the default of 640x480x256.

mh

.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[freeflygoddess 0]

I just did the same thing, but for other reasons, My mom and dad had their computers networked and my mom caught a virus, but it wasn't on my dad's, or so we thought, my dad gave me his computer and drove all the way from Phoenix to Perris, and brought me his computer, unfortunatly when he turned it on, poof there was the virus, so we blew the whole thing and started from scratch. The way I changed the video card, to change my moniter settings, was use Gateway's System Restoration CD.