Monitor Res.

[yELLOthar]

I installed Windows XP on my mom's comp, yea I ask a lot of questions...

Anyway, I can't change the resolution from 640*480 to, well, anything else. It has an optimum res. of 1024*768. I read the manual that it came with (on CD) and it said

Display Properties(Right Click, the properties)
Settings
Advanced
Monitor
Properties

However, I can't click on Properties, it just stays faded, and unclickable! I have restarted a few times, but to no avail. Anyone know what might be the problem?

 

[ElFenix]

need video drivers for your hardware

 

[yELLOthar]

Well, that's where it said to download them! Unless you mean something else, can you please explain a little better? The only CD the monitor came with was the one with the Manual, and it doesn't have a "driver setup" or anything. The computer is a Dell, and the Monitr is a Dell.

 

[dullard]

You can bump old threads

Basically you don't have a correct video card driver installed. Thus Windows uses the basic VGA driver. The basic VGA driver is limited to 640x480. Until you get the correct video card driver installed you will never be able to change it - all other options will be greyed out.

The monitor you use has no impact on this problem. So a CD with the monitor won't help you. The monitor manual won't help you. Going to monitor properties like you described above won't help you.

This is a very common problem that happens with pretty much ALL Windows reinstallations.

The Dell computer SHOULD have come with a driver CD, a recovery CD, or resource CD, etc. If you can't find one of those, then your last resort should be the reinstallation CD. If you can't find any of those CDs, you'll have to download the drivers. Can you connect the internet with that computer? Do you know what video card the computer has? If not can you at least find out the computers service tag number or express service code?

 

[yELLOthar]

Well, I searched monitor, and didn't find my old topic, so yea...

I used my Dell Resource CD, but to no avail...

I COULD connect it to the net, but then I would have to disconnect this one and then set it up and I don't really feel like it unless it is 100% neccasary. Could I just burn the driver file to a disc?

I'm pretty sure Intel Integrated Extreme crap. It doesn't have a graphics card onboard, and I would assume that is what it has. How will I know which drivers to reinstall? I have the resource CD, but both the intel drivers on it that weren't already installed couldn't be, not supported I quess. In device manager it has Video Controller (VGA Compatible) under Other Devices. When I try to install it's drivers, it messes up.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: yELLOthar
Well, I searched monitor, and didn't find my old topic, so yea...

With so few posts it is easier to search by your name. No harm done, but I just thought others might benefit by seeing the discussion there too.

In device manager it has Video Controller (VGA Compatible) under Other Devices. When I try to install it's drivers, it messes up.

I too have had trouble doing a graphics card driver update through the device manager.

I used my Dell Resource CD, but to no avail...I'm pretty sure Intel Integrated Extreme crap. It doesn't have a graphics card onboard, and I would assume that is what it has. How will I know which drivers to reinstall? I have the resource CD, but both the intel drivers on it that weren't already installed couldn't be, not supported I quess.

Try the video drivers again, you might have missed one. And there may be a difference between your Dell Resource CD and your mom's Dell resource CD - so be sure to use the correct one (I'm just guessing here, the CDs may be the same). If you still can't get those to work, maybe try here. Put in the service tag number (should be printed on a sticker on the Dell case), select video drivers under download category, select the correct operating system and language, then click submit. The driver will be in that list, including any integrated drivers. I can't help you narrow down the list without more info such as the exact Dell model number (but someone else here may be good at that).

I COULD connect it to the net, but then I would have to disconnect this one and then set it up and I don't really feel like it unless it is 100% neccasary. Could I just burn the driver file to a disc?

You could download those and burn them.

I'm 95% positive it is a video card driver issue.

 

[yELLOthar]

Thanks. I hope this works, because this is really the only thing from having the computer like new again, after my mom crashed it...

BTW, it was her Resource CD, I guess I just mistakenly said it was mine. Once again thanks, and I hope this works.

 

[yELLOthar]

Is it supposed to take an INSANE amount of time to boot up after installing Drivers? It's loading, but very slowly. At least in 1024*768. Well, it ain't my comp anyway, but will it always load slow, or is it just cuz it's the "first boot" w/ new graphics driver?

 

[dullard]

Good that you finally found one that gives you the proper resolution.

No it shouldn't take an insane amount of time to boot. Sounds like there is still at least one problem remaining - it may or may not be related to the video card driver. Without more details, I cannot help. It may be time to make a new thread in the technical support or operating system forum describing a slowly booting computer. Those people are more knowledgable than I am.