PDA

View Full Version : Re:


Carola
09-16-2002, 06:46 PM
I really hope somebody can help me?!

This is the problem: I upgraded my video card last week and as a result, seem to have downgraded the quality of my overall picture.

I upgraded from a Diamond Monster 3D II and Ati Rage Turbo Pro to a Nvidia GeForce 2. Prior to making the switch, I changed the driver to the standard VGA driver as per the instructions off a website (graphics card did not come with a manual). My computer warned me that my system was not configurated for this driver but I did it anyway (I don't know if this is relevant information).

Although my system seems to running fine, my desktop is different. From the outer ends (about 1 1/2" inwards from both the left and right), the icons and characters appear to be more condensed or "squished together" (The perimeter or edges of the window are NOT bent inward or out; the outer edges of the window ARE in a proper rectangle or square). It is the same when I use the internet, however when I play a game this does not happen. If familiar with the Sony Trinitron, I think they are called "damper wires" which are two horizontal lines that are supposed to appear on your screen and are most visible against a white background. I now have a two VERTICAL lines from top to bottom, about 1/4" apart and are about 1 1/2" in from the right-hand side. These lines were not there before, are mostly visible against a DARK background, and do NOT move when adjusting the horizontal control. Some of the icons and characters also have a very faint triple-repeated outer line (if that makes sense?).

This is what I have done:
-moved the speakers and cords, etc.
-adjusted the horizontal, vertical, pin/pin, key/key, and rotation.
-checked DirectX and everything is OK.
-checked and tried different resolutions (currently at 800 x 600 which is the same as it was before I changed the video card.)
-looked in the device manager to see if there are any warnings.

My knowledge does not go further than this. I am not familiar with drivers and what does what .... I DO know how to enter into the BIOS, but would not know what to do.

**It almost seems as if the games are running from a different card or source than everything else .... ??????** However, the unknown vertical lines remain regardless. I don't know if this is a problem with my monitor, video card, drivers, or configuration???

I would GREATLY appreciate any help anyone could offer! I have unsuccessfully and made several contacts thus far, and the best advice was to just ignore it! I invested a lot of money and thought into my computer and consider it a great friend; I would not just IGNORE a friend of mine who might be dealing with a small problem any more than I would ignore my PC. :)

I have a Pentium II MMX, 400 MHz, with 64MB of RAM. My motherboard is (I think) Soft Switch BH6, and monitor is a Sony Trinitron 210GS; I can give more information if necessary.

Thank you ... anyone and/or ... everyone!
Carola

Rick
09-16-2002, 07:13 PM
The first thing to do.
If you can find the old video card drivers and remove them.
You may be able to find the remove drivers and video card software in control panel under add-remove programs

If you can’t find them there Look for a folder or Icon in the start menu relating to the old drives.
In a few cases you can find a removal program on the old video cards web site.

Dealing with 3DFX isn’t going to be easy.
They don’t support there old cards any more

Then you should go into device manager ( In control Panel use system icon and properties )
use the menu on the top of device manager to View all devices.
Remove all items related to the old video card
Then exit and shut down the system

Reboot
Then you need to install the New video card drivers
If you don’t have them yet go to the card manufacturers web site and download them.

When asked to install the new hardware .
Point the driver search to the folder you have the drivers in.
Note after you download the drivers you may have to extract them from a compressed file Before you do the install

Carola
09-17-2002, 10:17 AM
Hi Rick!

Thanks for your input. Great name ... and picture, ... I like it! Actually, I FEEL like the GEEK because I just used my own name with no creative addition or flare. So I am the BORING GEEK! (Frustrated with PC and woman in a hurry is more like it)

Anyways, I am going to try what you suggested; I DID load the new driver from the disk when I initially booted up after the installation of the "GF2", but having NEVER done this before and without a manual, what appeared and happened on my screen was very vague and not in great detail. Really QUICK .... about three seconds!

Anyways, I am a woman in a bit of a rush at the moment, and am going to try this later on today. Thank you for your help and I will "keep you posted" .... no *pun* intended .... :eek:

Carola.

Carola
09-17-2002, 04:15 PM
Wow! ... I REALLY wish I knew **a lot** MORE about computers ..... !

Rick, ... I did what you suggested and found all the driver related software, ... and when I tried to remove the software I received a warning message ... you know, ... "illegal operation ... will be shut down" ..... It said: RUNDLL32 caused an invalid page fault in module ATIIIExx.DLL at 015f:1000f205. Then there were details about registers, bytes at CS:EIP, and stack dump. .... Ummmm .... should I just start DELETING all the icons ... ???

I found the ATI driver files in the - start - programs menu and on the C drive in "My Computer". In the "Program Files" I have a folder which contains old drivers I've downloaded and there is a separate folder for "Diamond", but with only the "setup".

I also looked in the device manager, ... and apologize, but I got a bit unsure of what I was looking at. I couldn't find "view all devices" and found/have "view devices by type" or "view devices by connection". Anyways, I double clicked on "display adaptors" and the only thing that came up was the Nvidia GeForce.

I don't know if the following has any relevance, but I noticed that I now have "disabled start up items" in my - start - programs menu, and they are "Microsoft Find Fast" and "Office Startup". I also had a game going last weekend and there was an underlying ***static/hum/muffled-rain/radio-not-tuned-in*** type of noise. However, the sound effects, speech and music were all running great, and this problem does not exist whilst running any other programs. Whatever, .... it can just go ON AND ON .... eh? Yes. I am a German living in Canada. Wow! Probably a problem with the game, ... anyways, ... I mostly just want to get to the root of this display problem.

Rick, ... your instructions were GREAT and clear! Thank you .. and all was going so well .... until .... the **ILLEGAL WARNING**. (Dramatic "Carola-frustrated-sarcastic humor)

Well Rick, .. if you would take the time to help me out further that would be amazing!!! One thousand thanks! If not or if anyone else reads this, .... I would absolutely appreciate any help on what is a matter that would probably take a more knowledgable **PC PERSON** less than ten minutes to resolve!

Have a great day ... enjoy and live in the moment!
:D
Carola.