Ask Me Help Desk - Only 2/16 colours with Standard PCI Graphics Card

Only 2/16 colours with Standard PCI Graphics Card

I was given a free PC (my first) and the hard drive had been formated. It is running Win98SE, the graphics card is described as being a Standard PCI Graphics Adaptor. It will only give me 2/16 colours. I was told that installing updated drivers for the chipset (VIA VT8501 Apoll MVP4) would solve this problem. I tried this but the setup program from the downloaded drivers will not work. When I checked the setup log I had this message:

S3Setup v1.00.44-M7/1.00.44-MS/1.00.09-NB/1.00.03-SS/1.00.24-M5/1.00.01-TW
BAllowReboot is TRUE
BSilentReboot is TRUE
BPromptReboot is TRUE
BPromptSilentReboot is FALSE
VendorID to find:1023

Does any one have any ideas? Please help me I've been trying to sort this for 2 weeks.
Thanks in advance
Czepp

What exactly do you mean by 2/16 colors? Do you mean 16 bit?

Ok, That means that Windows did not recognize the graphics card so set it up as a the default standard. You need to determine exactly what graphics adapter is in the PC and make sure you have the correct drivers for it. It appears that what you were told is incorrect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_m0053

What exactly do you mean by 2/16 colors? Do you mean 16 bit?

No, the PC is running 32bit. When I try to change display settings I'm only given the options for 2colour or 16colour. I know that the previous owner did have 256 colours at least

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

Ok, That means that Windows did not recognize the graphics card so set it up as a the default standard. You need to determine exactly what graphics adapter is in the PC and make sure you have the correct drivers for it. It appears that what you were told is incorrect.

I'm not sure I know what the graphics adaptor is. Is the Trident listed below? As I said I'm new to computers so I'm learning as I go. I downloaded a system scan thingy and what I think is the relevant information is below:

CPU TYPE CYRIX 6x86 MX/MII 150 MHZ
MOBO PCCHIPS M585LMR (HSIN TECH)
CHIPSET VIA VT8501 APOLLO MVP4
NORTH BRIDGE VIA VT8501 APOLLO MVP4
SOUTH BRIDGE TRIAL VERSION
SYST MEM TRIAL VERSION
BIOS TYPE AWARD MODULAR (06/23/99) 2A5LHH0CC-00
VIDEO ADPTOR STANDARD PCI GRAPHICS ADAPTOR (VGA)
3D ACCELERATOR TRIDENT BLADE3D i7
MONITOR PLUG+PLAY

And as nothing listed here is described as a graphics adaptor does that mean I don't have one?
Thanks

It could be the Trident but its not clear. I don't know where you are getting that list, but its picking up the installed drivers not the actual hardware. If the video is a separate card, you may be able to find the model on the card. If its on the motherboard, then you need to check the specs for the motherboard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

It could be the Trident but its not clear. I don't know where you are getting that list, but its picking up the installed drivers not the actual hardware. If the video is a separate card, you may be able to find the model on the card. If its on the motherboard, then you need to check the specs for the motherboard.

Wow that was quick. OK the Motherboard specs are:

CPU Type Cyrix 6x86MX/MII, 120 MHz (2 x 60) PR150
Motherboard Name PCChips M585LMR
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8501 Apollo MVP4
System Memory [ TRIAL VERSION ]
BIOS Type Award Modular (06/23/99)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port EPSON Printer Port (LPT1)

I've looked inside the box and there doesn't seem to be anything that says it's a graphics card. This info is coming from Everest download. Is there anyway of finding what the hardware is as I think PC was rebuilt before given to me?

Down load this --run it and your card will be listed under display.
Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSavage

down load this --run it and your card will be listed under display.
Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit

The Everest program he used is similar to Belarc. But Belarc won't do it either. Belarc doesn't actually read the hardware, it reads the System info showing installed drivers.

Ahh thanks for the heads up. Tis sweet to learn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by czepp

Wow that was quick. OK the Motherboard specs are:

CPU Type Cyrix 6x86MX/MII, 120 MHz (2 x 60) PR150
Motherboard Name PCChips M585LMR
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8501 Apollo MVP4
System Memory [ TRIAL VERSION ]
BIOS Type Award Modular (06/23/99)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port EPSON Printer Port (LPT1)

I've looked inside the box and there doesnt seem to be anything that says its a graphics card. This info is coming from Everest download. Is there anyway of finding what the hardware is as I think PC was rebuilt before given to me?

The video is onboard unless they added a graphics card. If they did you would be plugging the monitor into a peripheral board which would be obvious.

I tried looking for the drivers at PC Chips WEB site:
PCCHIPS Web Site
But, while I found the motherboard model it was unclear. I suggest you contact their tech support for a link to the correct drivers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

The video is onboard unless they added a graphics card. If they did you would be plugging the monitor into a peripheral board which would be obvious.

I tried looking for the drivers at PC Chips WEB site:
PCCHIPS Web Site
but, while I found the motherboard model it was unclear. I suggest you contact their tech support for a link to the correct drivers.

Thanks anyway but it doesn't matter, I fixed it.
I downloaded drivers from VIA and although it would'nt let me install them through the wizard I did it manually through the display set up and it worked. If I'd thought of that 3 days ago this thread would never of happened.
Thanks for your help!

Glad you got it.