Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: Melody on July 14, 2004, 06:29:04 PM

Title: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: Melody on July 14, 2004, 06:29:04 PM

I had some problems with my computer so we decided to format the computer we put Win Me back on it and the color was working fine before..... i onlt have 16 colors and i cant set the res. any higher than 640 X 480... i just cant figure it out... i have a standard PCI Graphic Adapter (VGA) and i looked it up online and it says that i only get 16 colors and all that but... i didnt change any hardware. Do i need to find an upgrade cause if i do someone please tell me where to do that from because i have been looking!!!

Please help me... :'(

Thanks,
Melody

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: 2k dummy on July 14, 2004, 06:51:35 PM

You need to reinstall the drivers for your graphics adapter. What you are seeing is windows default driver. It lets you use the computer but 640x480x16 colors is the best it does. If you don't have the drivers disk for it, visit the adapter manufacturers web site. You can usually download the drivers from there.

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: Melody on July 14, 2004, 06:55:42 PM

i dont know how to find the manuf. the only hting i know is that it is a standard PCI Graphic Adapter (VGA

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: Melody on July 14, 2004, 06:57:04 PM

and i dont know how to find the website...

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: Melody on July 14, 2004, 07:07:00 PM

i dont know the drive that is suppose to be there how would i find out the correct drive...

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: 2k dummy on July 14, 2004, 07:08:56 PM

Thats what windows is reporting to you because thar is what it loaded drivers for. Who made the computer? Does the documentation tell what is graphics adapter is used. Does it tell who made the motherboard?

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: Melody on July 14, 2004, 07:17:35 PM

its an older computer.... "HP Pavilion 6350"  how would i find out who made the things for the computer i dont have the manual or anything. when we formated the computer is loaded the standard thing

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: 2k dummy on July 14, 2004, 07:24:34 PM

Go to HP's site and do a search on that model number. You should be able to find the information you need there.

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: Melody on July 14, 2004, 07:25:16 PM

Ive tryed... many times

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: 2k dummy on July 14, 2004, 07:26:34 PM

If you have the HP CD that came with the computer, try reloading from that.

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: Melody on July 14, 2004, 07:30:17 PM

This computer was givin to us a long time ago

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: 2k dummy on July 14, 2004, 07:38:00 PM

OK. If you don't have the HP CD, you might have to wait awhile to get a fix. It is imperative to know what graphics chip is in that thing.

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: Melody on July 14, 2004, 07:43:35 PM

Im only 17 and i know many things about computer but not  a lot..... so what you have been telling me is that i need to find out what type of video drive is in my computer and go and find the download to get it on my computer?

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: 2k dummy on July 14, 2004, 07:56:16 PM

Thats it. But just a matter of terminology. Don't confuse "drive" with "driver". Video is an adapter. Adapters require drivers. Drives are things like hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, cd-rom drives, etc. If don't have any luck finding what you need, come back here in a day or two and if I haven't found something, someone else probably will.

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: Melody on July 14, 2004, 08:00:35 PM

Okay, Thanks

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: 2k dummy on July 15, 2004, 06:43:46 PM

I think I have located the driver you need. The download is very large and you will need software such as winzip to decompress the file. Do you have a fast connection and the necessary software or a friend who does?

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: 2k dummy on July 17, 2004, 11:37:03 AM

This is follow up for Melody. Do you still need help?

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: lookatme on July 18, 2004, 08:27:01 PM

Hi,
That happened to me once.  I reformatted the HD. When I tried to run a program, it told me I needed to have 256 colors then terminated the program.  I went to control panel which told me I could select 16 colors or black and white.  I discovered that I had to reinstall the graphic driver.  Well, what driver and how do I identify it.
I went to www.driverguide.com.  There you can download trial version of a driver tool which will identify the hardward installed in your computer and give you enough information to identify your drivers.  Use this info to find the right graphics driver or any other driver you may need for your computer.  
It took me a couple of tries, but using the info provided, I got back all of the color choices for the computer.  
Give it a try.  Go to driverguide.com.  Signup for a free membership. Find your drivers.  Good luck.

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: Raptor on July 19, 2004, 04:47:41 AM

You can also determine the type of videocard you have installed and get the drivers directly of the manufacturers website. More recent drivers.

Title: Re: Only 16 colors and can get higher res.
Post by: merlin_2 on July 20, 2004, 04:29:20 PM

type msinfo in the run box this will display what you pc has ...click the plus signs on components display...more than likely intel..