Color Setting Will Not Hold

I'm trying to help a friend with a video problem. He's desperate to figure out what it is so he can correct it before Christmas when his five-year-old unwraps his new computer learning game.

The color needs to be set to least at 16-bit color. When he goes in and changes it to 16-bit (or even when he tries to change it to 256-color), everything behaves properly, and the computer restarts. But....when it reboots, the color is still set at 16 colors. He can't get the setting to "stick" like it's supposed to.

I had him look in the device manager window just to make sure the computer thinks everything is working properly, and it does. No conflicts reported. No cute little exclamation marks. The display adapter is a S3inc Trio 3D/2X, and the monitor is just listed as Plug & Play. Does it just need a driver update? Have any of you seen this happen before?

[quote] The color needs to be set to least at 16-bit color. When he goes in and changes it to 16-bit (or even when he tries to change it to 256-color), everything behaves properly, and the computer restarts. But....when it reboots, the color is still set at 16 colors. He can't get the setting to "stick" like it's supposed to.
<hr></blockquote>

There must be a 'typo' there surely, unless you aren't clicking apply.....
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">

No typo...that's exactly what happens. He changes the color setting, applies it, the computer reboots, but the color setting is the same.

Do you mean as in the original setting is the same, so if it was 256 to start with, and you tell it to use 16bit then it goes back to 256....?

Yes, that's what happens. He can't get it to display anything other than 16 colors. It starts with 16 colors, he changes it, it appears to work, but on reboot, it still is only at 16 colors.

16 colours not 16 bit(as in 16 million colours or whatver)!

Comprehension :D

Seems like the wrong/duff video driver, why it lets you choose, I don't know, Have you tried applying the changes without rebooting?

Yes, 16 colors. He's trying to change it from 16 colors to 16-bit color. We're going to try updating the driver now. Just wondered if anyone had seen this before and knew the magic fix off the top of their head. If the driver update doesn't work, I'll be back again begging on hands and knees! <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Catch you later then.....? :D

Hopefully not!

[quote]Originally posted by confus-ed:
<strong> Have you tried applying the changes without rebooting?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Was that a yes to this too?

I think so... Renee's gone to look for a new driver.

<a href="https://ranger.s3graphics.com/362drv/" target="_blank">here's some drivers.</a>

login: archive
pass; archive

Renee, I have seen this with those older S3 cards. The drivers at the link provided by Danimal should do the trick.

Thanks, guys. I had already gotten the driver in anticipation of needing it. I sent it to my friend. He's going to download it and wait for me to do phone support on my way home from my parents' house this afternoon. Should be interesting. I'll let you know what happens, but I'm sure if Sowulo's seen this thing before, that driver ought to do the trick. Thanks again, and [Arnold voice] I'll be back...... :cool:

And, indeed, a fresh driver was all it needed. Thanks again...... :)

Kewl. Merry Happies!!!