Member Avatar for HaloGal

Well, we have the hard drive reformated, but have developed a new problem. As I mentioned, my mother's computer has Windows ME. We can't get the resolution to change. It's at 16 colors and the 640 yadda yadda resolution. How would I go about fixing this? Thanks for any help in advance :)

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by goldeagle2005

Dani AI

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The symptoms (16 colours, 640x480 and "Standard PCI Graphic Adapter" shown by SysInfo) mean Windows ME is running the generic VGA driver because no vendor driver is installed. Good catches from and — SysInfo reports what Windows has loaded, not the physical card, so you need to identify the actual GPU/chipset and install the proper driver.

Practical checklist (order these to match what you can do):

  1. If this is a Dell: locate the model/service tag (sticker on the bottom of a laptop or back/side of a desktop). Use Dell's support for that model to get the original video driver — Dell often lists older Win98/ME drivers there; Win98 drivers frequently work on ME.
  2. Desktop with a discrete card: power off and unplug, open the case and read the label printed on the board or bracket (brand/model near the VGA connector). Ground yourself and be careful when handling hardware.
  3. If you cannot open the machine: run a hardware-identification utility that supports Win9x/ME (older tools such as AIDA32 or older SiSoftware Sandra are commonly used) to report the video chipset. Use the chipset/vendor name to locate the correct legacy driver. If networking on that box is a problem, download the driver on another computer and transfer it by CD/floppy/USB.
  4. Install procedure: create a System Restore point first (ME has it). Run the vendor installer or Device Manager -> Update driver -> Have Disk, point to the extracted driver files, then reboot. After install set colour depth to True Color (32-bit) and the monitor's native resolution.

Notes and cautions: do not try XP drivers for Win9x/ME; if the vendor only offers Win98 drivers, those are often the right fallback. If a driver still fails, check Device Manager for conflicts and try a different legacy driver version. This builds on 's and 's suggestions while addressing why SysInfo showed only the generic adapter and how to get the real driver installed.

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Member Avatar for tayspen

You need to install the drivers for the video card. Do you have the CD's, specifically the Video card/Graphics card one? If you do it should be easy to fix. If not we will have to detrmine what you have, download the drivers then intstall.

Member Avatar for HaloGal

Ok, I've looked through all of her disks, and I can't find one for her video card. I don't even know if it originally came with one, since I know Dell doesn't always give you all the disks you need. I have an older Dell, so this I know LOL I will go into the display and see if I can find the drivers for the video card she has.

Member Avatar for tayspen

If, you find the Vid card Manufacturer and name, I would help you look :).

Member Avatar for HaloGal

Well, now this is really interesting. When I did a properties on the Vid card, this is what I got:
Standard PCI Graphic Adapter
Am I looking in the wrong place for it? I've never had to look up the Vid card info before LOL :cheesy:

Member Avatar for UberAAZ

With my dell laptop there came a CD with all of the drivers.
Is there a disk with "Drivers & Utilities" on it?

Also, if you know the name of the card, try www.driverguide.com.

Member Avatar for HaloGal

The only drivers and utilites disk there is, is for the modem. Which I can't even use until I get the resolution up. I'm going to go to the Dell website and see if I can find anything that might help UGH! LOL

Member Avatar for gregh

try lookin on the video card itself, if that doesn't work go to Start, Programs, Accesories, System Tools, System Information. Then go into components then display. Under name it should tell you what type of video card you have. Then go to manufacturers webite and download drivers from there.

Member Avatar for goldeagle2005

try lookin on the video card itself, if that doesn't work go to Start, Programs, Accesories, System Tools, System Information. Then go into components then display. Under name it should tell you what type of video card you have. Then go to manufacturers webite and download drivers from there.

Sysinfo only queries the drivers installed for the hardware info. hence, it will show "Standard PCI VGA bla bla bla"

The best way to find your manufacturer is to simply look at the GFX card.

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