Video Adapter resolution problem (ummmm I think)

[Route66_2K]

Recently pieced together computer. Only problem is when trying to adjust the resolution through Display - Settings. Boots initially to 640x480 256 colors and works fine at that resolution. Change resolution to anything else and the screen goes blurry (higher the resolution more/faster the blur). Color setting choices are 256 colors, High Color(16 bit) and True Color(24 bit) as well as 16 Color only while booted in Safe Mode. Resolution available options are 640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768. If I change res. to 1024x768 the color option shown available to this res. are 256 colors and High Color(16)- won't go to True color(24), 800x600 and 640x480 gets options of 256 colors, High color(16) and True Color(24). Thats what shows available though as I said if I try any combination other than 640x480 at 256 colors the screen is unlegibly blurred.

Puter info: OS: Windows 98SE
Motherboard: FIC PT 2006 motherboard with Award bios version 807J801 (tried bios flash - upgrade from version 807J802 - same result both versions))
Processor: AMD K5 PR166
Memory: 48 Mb RAM
Video Adapter: Cirrus Logic 5446 PCI with VPM (v1.14) (loaded latest driver found - 11/26/96 File version 4.03.00.2101.01.00.01)
Monitor: Gateway 2000 CrystalScan 1024 NI (tried drivers from Windows CD and dl'd drivers found for this monitor at driverzone.com)

In Cmos Chipset Features Setup I've tried both enabling and disabling the "Video Bios Cacheable" - this had no effect on the result - same problem. I'm not knowledgeable on the most of the other options in Cmos though saw no other reference to Video(ie. no onboard video).

Appreciate any suggestions


Route66_2K

[mjc]

Check the refresh rate at 256 color and see if it is set at optimal or adapter default, if set to optimal change it to adapter default. It sounds like the combination of video card and monitor are not agreeing on the refresh rate. Most often the adapter default setting is 60Hz and most monitors can handle that at just about any allowed resolution.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[bassvax]

May have something to do with the limited memory on the card itself...found this on a Compaq site, but same card http://www.compaq.com/support/techpubs/maintenance_guides/Deskpro_2000/Md2000c8.04.html
From this I gather 256 is the max colors for the higher resolution.

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Tango down!

[tjaymadison]

Your limit may be 800x600 @ 256 colors with that amount of video RAM.

Try a different screen font on the Appearance tab to improve clarity.


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"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand."
-- Homer Simpson

[Route66_2K]

Adjusted the Monitor Refresh rate and it now works on the 3 different resolutions. Thanks for the advice.

One other problem I've noticed with this puter is on occasion the computer reboots itself. Noticed it most often after booting just prior to showing desktop - it reboots itself, then runs scandisk as it wasn't turned off correctly. Hoped the bios flash would fix this but it didn't. Any suggestions? Or should I post that problem in another section?

Route66_2K

[mjc]

Most often spontaneous reboots are heat related...make sure that the heat sink and fan are properly attached and that the fan is working. Sometimes there are software problems that can cause a reboot, try disabling everything that runs at startup and seeing if it happens then (can be done by typing msconfig in the run box and going to the startup tab), If that clears it up try enabling the startup programs one at a time, to find out which one is the problem.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.