Silly Question

[droolbot]

I reformatted my system and now only have 2 and 16 color options, not the original 256. I do not have any of the Dell startup disks, and am wondering if I can download what I need from anywhere. If it can be downloaded, what is the name of the program? Thanks so much...I am not very good at this, but would REALLY like to see what I am looking at!!

[confus-ed]

... just ones you can answer & ones you can't ...

Well welcome to windrivers :) ...

Ok to your problem ... your display is 'bust' because it needs a driver file ... we need some more info to figure which ... can you tell us the model of the computer ? (besides just 'dell') or better still the type of video card ? .... don't worry if you can't there are ways & means around this ... (also tell us what operating system you are using please).

[Orangeman]

You can get this information by calling Dell or going to their website, or you might want to go into your Device Manager (if you have one) and check the 'display adapter" listing and tell us what it says.

You can also get this information by doing a reboot and telling us if there is any information that mentions something like NVidia, or ATI or Video Adapter that appears on the screen. When this information appears just press Pause on your keyboard, write it down and tell us what it says.

It sounds like the drivers to your video card (circuit board that controls the video) haven't been loaded.

[Radical Dreamer]

Do you know the model number of this unit? Or about how old it is? It has to be kinda old to only go up to 256 colors.

[droolbot]

I am running on Windows 98. I downloaded a ATI Rage IIc driver, and it is working pretty well now. The picture quality is not very good though.

You mention if I am only running on 256 colors it must be an old system. I now have the options of 24 and 32 bit true color. Would those show a better picture, in your opinion? Thanks again for the help!!

(I got this system from work when they upgraded, so I just found the driver on another G1 at work.)

[Orangeman]

You're not supposed to be running in 256 colors if you're using Windows 98. That is a DOS setting. Actually I run my Windows 98 in either 16-bit high-color or 32-bit.

The difference is that 32bit requires more work out of your video card than 16 or 24 bit. Some games may not run as fast under 32-bit, although it DOES give you a slightly better picture.

If you have the option for 16bit high-color then go to that setting. If not, then 24 or 32 bit depending on how much gaming you do.

Here's how to adjust your display resolution properties in Win98:

Go to a neutral spot on your desktop wallpaper and right click your cursor, then go to properties>colors and select 16 bit high color, 24, or 32 bit.

If your monitor is creating eye strain you can also choose to go to Advanced>Adapter>Refresh rate and adjust it for 75hz.

Orangeman:D

[confus-ed]

Where's the 'cheeky' icon ?

Here for reference - OptiPlex Gs / Windows 98 / English (http://support.dell.com/filelib/Devices.aspx?Category=0&OS=W98++&OSL=EN&SvcTag=&SysID=PLX_PNT_PNT_GS)
OptiPlex Gs have a rage 11 c onboard video which windows 98 should have identified correctly ? ... mmmmm! btw its only 2 or 4 mb ...

Oh hum .... what are you waffling about Orangeman ?

256 colours is not a DOS setting at all .... its legacy support for older video cards.

As far as destop ressolutions go, most new cards support 16,24 or 32 bit modes .... more bits more colour 'resolution' (available shades) ... pick either 16 or 32 ... 24 bit is not supported generally by opengl (used for games & some apps) windows uses directx which can support 24 bit - 16 bit least 'processing' overhead - 32 most ....

As for monitor refresh ... (Orangeman you can only change refresh if you tell it what monitor or set it as plug & play) look at my link & pick the appropriate 'monitor customisation' file for your monitor ... this will allow windows to know what resolutions & refresh rates its designed to do ... most mhz equals most clarity (you should only choose rates you know your monitor can support or you will damage it) ...

am running on Windows 98. I downloaded a ATI Rage IIc driver, and it is working pretty well now. The picture quality is not very good though
Final thing to check (see my 'concern' above - 2 or 4 meg isn't very good really but it should produce a good clarity of picture - though it might struggle with games etc) ... open device manager & check you have no exclamation marks or red crosses (just make sure windows has got everything correctly) & hopefully you are good to go....

[Orangeman]

Picky, picky, picky. :cool: I'd argue with you but its not worth the trouble.

BTW, I AM a master tech !!!!!:D

[NooNoo]

So orangeman, these 32bit apps I have that require 256 colour settings .....

[Orangeman]

Originally posted by NooNoo
So orangeman, these 32bit apps I have that require 256 colour settings ..... are probably games left over from the DOS age that have been adapted for Win95. They probably won't work with your new advanced AGP card anyway. I advise you get rid of them NooNoo. :p ......Perhaps donate them to charity.:D



What are you picking on me for anyway? One false statement and even the moderator is down on me????

My statement is basically correct because his monitor won't come in correctly on 256 colors using Win98. Try it yourself and see.

But am I the first one on Windrivers to issue an answer that lacked precision????:confused: Why me????:confused:

[kato2274]

Originally posted by Orangeman
are probably games left over from the DOS age that have been adapted for Win95. They probably won't work with your new advanced AGP card anyway. I advise you get rid of them NooNoo. :p ......Perhaps donate them to charity.:D



What are you picking on me for anyway? One false statement and even the moderator is down on me????

My statement is basically correct because his monitor won't come in correctly on 256 colors using Win98. Try it yourself and see.

But am I the first one on Windrivers to issue an answer that lacked precision????:confused: Why me????:confused:

for me it's not making a mistake, but rather passing it off as fact that is so irritating . . . . and it's not just you Orange, it happens a lot. . . . and not to be picky but it's not the first time you've been way off base either.

If you don't know 100% absolutely that your post is factual, preface it with "I think" "If I remember right" "I'm not sure but" etc. but don't put something up as fact when it is way off the mark.

Confus-ed does indeed have a unique ability of rubbing people the wrong way but as far as the technical aspects and factuallness (is that a word?) of his posts, he is usually right 90% of the time (don't think you're getting 100% out of me you geezer :butt: )

I often don't answer questions I might be able to because I don't feel like researching my post to make sure it's fact and my solution works before posting it.

and there's a difference too between being a little off and flat out wrong coming from left field somewhere toting a big suitcase of misinformation. when anybody here comes from that place they are going to get called on it, and I think that's fair enough.

I'm not :flame: you orange. I like you and think you add to the community here, just wanting to explain a bit about how I feel about this situation and others similar.

[Orangeman]

Point well taken, Kato....

Thanks,

Orangeman:D