Can't Change Display Resolution

[Barefoot_Tom]

My wife has a computer which has suddenly developed amnesia. It has forgotten how to change the monitor screen resol;ution.
 Here are the technical details:
  OS   WIN98SE
  Monitor  Viewsonic A70
   no monitor driver loaded
   Supported Video Modes
      640x480 thru 1280x1024
   Display Adapter    S3VirgeDX PCI 1375/85
      Driver S3v.drv
   DCI/AGP Video
     S3 Virge
    Intel i752
    S3 Virge GX
Also DirectX Video

When she attempts to change the screen reolution, which is presently set at 800x600 (doesn't matter whether she's increasing or decreasing) she gets the message:
 "The display control panel is unable to change the display settings. Please check your Display hardware in device manager".

   When she checks the device manager, everything says its working.

I've re-booted (of course), downloaded the latest drivers from Viewsonic, and attempted to download drivers from S3, without success (I can't connect with them, but I'll keep trying). When I attempt to update the drivers from the WIN98SE installation disk I'm told the latest drivers are presently loaded. The driver that wants to stay loade is the one from S3, not the latest Viewsonic driver. Whedn I downloaded and ran it, nothing changed.

What is causing the problem, and where do i go from here?
Tom


    

[compEngineer0]

Well monitor drivers usually don't do much, they can help, but usually they're optional. The main driver you should be concerned with is the video card driver. What is the situation? You've previously always been able to change res and now all of the sudden you can't? Has anything in your comp changed? I wouldn't sweat the monitor driver too much, if you can get it great. S3 seems to have discontinued your card and doesn't provide drivers online anymore so unless you have your CD you might be out of luck. Worst case scenario, just go buy a new video card from newegg.com (nvidia and ati make good ones).

[Barefoot_Tom]

 S3 seems to have discontinued your card and doesn't provide drivers online anymore so unless you have your CD you might be out of luck. Worst case scenario, just go buy a new video card from newegg.com (nvidia and ati make good ones).

Yes, I used to be able to change res, and now can't. What has changed on my computer, Much, but precisely how the changes would affect the video driver is obscure.
Your solution to the problem is less than helpful.
Tom

[GX1_Man]

Yes, I used to be able to change res, and now can't. What has changed on my computer, Much, but precisely how the changes would affect the video driver is obscure.

But it could be important, eh?

Your solution to the problem is less than helpful

Please keep in mind that this is a volunteer forum, not your paid technical support and the helpfulness depends on who drops in, what they know, and the responses they receive.

Please post your computer or motherboard make and model because this particular video chip was indigenous to a lot of older Compaq, IBM's etc. Is it onboard or a separate video card? The generic Microsoft driver was supplied with Win98.

[2k_dummy]

Right click desktop. click properties/settings tab/advanced button/adapter tab. If video is properly identified, update the driver. This can be done by clicking the change button (usually). If that doesn't work for you, cancel your way out and do it from device manager.

[soybean]

Yes, I used to be able to change res, and now can't. What has changed on my computer, Much, but precisely how the changes would affect the video driver is obscure.
Your solution to the problem is less than helpful.
Tom

"... less than helpful."  Hmmm, based on all that's you've said, what kind of replies do you expect?  You've got a rather old computer.  You say much has changed on it.  You've tried to get drivers for it and have been unsuccessful.  With that scenario, what do you expect?  

CompEngineer0's suggestion of buying a video card is a worthy suggestion.  It's going to solve the problem of not being able to get a current driver.

I did find what appears to be a video driver for your computer.  "It was released in mid-1999 and the official stance from S3 is that the driver won't be updated again."  Obviously, you're working with some old hardware there.

[dl65]

Barefoot_Tom... try going to driverguide.com....   http://driverguide.com/    and go to the vid card section and look for the latest drivers for that card ........

dl65  

[Barefoot_Tom]

Barefoot_Tom... try going to driverguide.com....   http://driverguide.com/    and go to the vid card section and look for the latest drivers for that card ........

dl65  

As the saying goes:"Been there, done that". I went to DriverGuide, and downloaded the latest (It's not verY) driver; installed it - no change. I looked for compatible drivers, not made by S3; found one- installed it, no change. Changed the video card- no change. Updated the drivers for the new video card - no change. The peculiar thing is that the computer won't let me change the display either up or down. I get the same error message when I try to go from 80x600(where its stuck) to 640x400 as I do when I try to go to 1024x768.

The problem seems to be independent of the video card, but I don't know where else to look. Everything I check says that it's working properly.
Here's a summary of the system:
Computer:
      Operating System                                  Microsoft Windows 98 SE
      OS Service Pack                                   None
      Internet Explorer                                 6.0.2800.1106 (IE 6.0 SP1)
      

    Motherboard:
      CPU Type                                          Intel Pentium IIIE, 866 MHz (6.5 x 133)
      Motherboard Name                                  Intel Willow Springs 2 WL810E  (4 PCI, 2 DIMM,
Audio, Video)
      Motherboard Chipset                               Intel Whitney i810E
      System Memory                                     251 MB  (PC133 SDRAM)
      BIOS Type                                         AMI (10/03/00)
      Communication Port                                Communications Port (COM1)
      Communication Port                                ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

    Display:
      Video Adapter                                     Diamond Stealth 3D 2000 Pro (S3 ViRGE-DX 375)  (4
MB)
      Video Adapter                                     Standard PCI Graphics Adapter (VGA)
      3D Accelerator                                    Intel i752
      3D Accelerator                                    S3 ViRGE/GX
      Monitor                                           ViewSonic A70  (CZ94100550)

    Multimedia:
      Audio Adapter                                     Intel 82801AA I/O Controller Hub - AC'97 Audio
Adapter

    Storage:
      Floppy Drive                                      GENERIC NEC  FLOPPY DISK
      Disk Drive                                        GENERIC IDE  DISK TYPE47
      Disk Drive                                        GENERIC IDE  DISK TYPE47
      Optical Drive                                     CDWRITER IDE5232  (52x/32x/52x CD-RW)

    Partitions:
      C: (FAT32)                                        3087 MB (599 MB free)
      D: (FAT32)                                        38152 MB (32539 MB free)

    Input:
      Keyboard                                          Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
      Mouse                                             Logitech-compatible Mouse  (PS/2)

    Network:
      Primary IP Address                                192.168.1.2
      Primary MAC Address                               00-48-54-88-4D-0C
      Network Adapter                                   AOL Adapter
      Network Adapter                                   AOL Dial-Up Adapter
      Network Adapter                                   AOpen AON-325 10/100M Fast Ethernet PCI Adapter
(192.168.1.2)
      Modem                                             56HP92-PCT

    Peripherals:
      Printer                                           HP DeskJet 540 Printer
      Printer                                           HP DeskJet 840C Series
      Printer                                           Quick Link II Fax

Everything except the ability to change display settings seems to be working fine.
Tom

[GX1_Man]

Many 810's had onboard video. Does your machine? If so, is it disabled in the BIOS?

[Barefoot_Tom]

Many 810's had onboard video. Does your machine? If so, is it disabled in the BIOS?

It does, and it isn't. I'll check into it further in the morning, and give you an update.
Tom

[Rob Pomeroy]

Just for info:  If the monitor .INF file is corrupted or damaged, Windows may think that the monitor can't handle any other resolutions/modes.  We know you've tried a different graphics card; have you also tried a different monitor?

Ultimately, it may take a reinstallation of Windows to fix this.  A bit of a pain, alas.

[Barefoot_Tom]

Many 810's had onboard video. Does your machine? If so, is it disabled in the BIOS?

Well, it's morning, and I just checked the BIOS. That made for an exciting few minutes.
There is no option in the BIOS to disable the onboard video. There is an option to switch from PCI to AGP. I figured, What the heck!, and switched. A message came up that Windows had changed the settings, and then -- I had no display at all, and no signal going to the monitor!

I managed to get everyhing back to working condition, but I don't think that's the answer to the problem.
Tom

[GX1_Man]

THe mobo must disable the onboard video when a discrete video card is inserted.

In one of your posts you listed a S3 Virge DX and later an S3 Virge GX. THese are different drivers. Are you sure you have the right one for your cvideo card?

What card does Everest identify?

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

[Rob Pomeroy]

If you switch from PCI to AGP, you will get no video unless you have a card in the AGP slot.  If you have no AGP card at all (and no intention of getting one) you will need to reset the BIOS/CMOS in order to get your display back again.

[Barefoot_Tom]

In one of your posts you listed a S3 Virge DX and later an S3 Virge GX. THese are different drivers. Are you sure you have the right one for your cvideo card?
What card does Everest identify?
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

I don't use Everest, I use Aida. The identification as I posted previously is:Display:
     Video Adapter                                     Diamond Stealth 3D 2000 Pro (S3 ViRGE-DX 375)  (4
MB)
     Video Adapter                                     Standard PCI Graphics Adapter (VGA)
     3D Accelerator                                    Intel i752
     3D Accelerator                                    S3 ViRGE/GX
     Monitor                                           ViewSonic A70  (CZ94100550)

As I've said, I get the same error message  with different drivers, graphics cards, and monitors. It's baffling
Tom

[Barefoot_Tom]

Just for info:  If the monitor .INF file is corrupted or damaged, Windows may think that the monitor can't handle any other resolutions/modes.  We know you've tried a different graphics card; have you also tried a different monitor?

Ultimately, it may take a reinstallation of Windows to fix this.  A bit of a pain, alas.

I have tried a different monitor, and got the same error message.
I'm afraid you may be right about Windows, but I'm a little hesitant aboput doing it. What's the best way so that I can still retain the desktop, and the registry values?
Tom

[panboy]

Display:
     Video Adapter                                     Diamond Stealth 3D 2000 Pro (S3 ViRGE-DX 375)  (4
MB)
     Video Adapter                                     Standard PCI Graphics Adapter (VGA)
     3D Accelerator                                    Intel i752
     3D Accelerator                                    S3 ViRGE/GX
     Monitor                                           ViewSonic A70  (CZ94100550)


Whats Going on Here? i See 3 GFX cards , An Intel I752, a Diamond S3 DX, and An S3 GX
How many Cards Have you got installed.
Uninstall them All, Remove 2 from the Computer, and Install The Drivers for the one thats Left, Unless I'm Reading it wrong

[Rob Pomeroy]

What's the best way so that I can still retain the desktop, and the registry values?

Well I'm afraid Tom that you can't have it both ways.  It seems likely that there is a problem lurking in your registry, so it has to go.  Look on the bright side: a full reinstall invariably results in a healthier, faster computer.  You don't really notice how much the slowing down creeps up on you over the months and years between reinstalls...

[Barefoot_Tom]

Display:
      
Uninstall them All, Remove 2 from the Computer, and Install The Drivers for the one thats Left, Unless I'm Reading it wrong

 

Did that; didn't help. I'm working my courage up to a Windows re-install.
Tom

[GX1_Man]

You're ready to go.Obviously nothing else has helped.

What was the answer to the question about multiple video cards?

[Barefoot_Tom]

Ultimately, it may take a reinstallation of Windows to fix this.  A bit of a pain, alas.

Holding my breath the entire time (you've no idea how hard that becomes after 35 minutes or so) I re-installed Windows. Not only did I not lose the desktop, but the problem HAS BEEN SOLVED!!

Thanks, you've been really helpful.
Tpm

[Barefoot_Tom]

You're ready to go.Obviously nothing else has helped.

What was the answer to the question about multiple video cards?

Only one card at a time, in addition to the built-in adapter. I just didn't delete the drivers that weren't being used.
Tom

[GX1_Man]

People balk at a reinstallation, but look how much quicker it would have been had we started there!  

Thanks for posting back.

[patio]

We LOVE success stories here...