[OKDXA] Computer Help

Wed, 20 Nov 2002 8:01:34 -0500

Thanks Nelson,

I forgot to mention one thing that may be the root of the problem.  I am replacing another computer, so I took the hard drive out of the old computer and installed it in the Compaq.  That way I don't have to reload all my software.  I suspected that the adapter was the problem but when I tried to change it, nothing changed.  I will try your suggestions later today.  Would reinstalling the Compaq hard drive give me a clue as to what they had in there?

Jim
> 
> From: "Nelson Derks" <[email protected]>
> Date: 2002/11/20 Wed AM 12:32:12 EST
> To: <[email protected]>
> Subject: Re: [OKDXA] Computer Help
> 
> > I bought a new (used) Compaq Presario for use in the shack.  It works
> great except I am having trouble getting it to work properly with my
> monitors.  I have tried two different monitors and had the same problem.  I
> have downloaded the monitor drivers and tried everything I can think of.
> 
> If you really did load monitor (not video) drivers, you were probably trying
> to upgrade the wrong end of the video cable... Chances are the machine is
> running the default SVGA video driver for your version of Windows, the
> lowest common denominator video driver that makes no use of any features on
> the chipset, and 16 colors is about as basic as it gets.
> 
> Right click on your Windows desktop (startup screen) in an area where there
> are no icons (just background) then go to Properties => Settings. Click on
> the 'Advanced' button => then 'Adapter'. What does it show? If it's SVGA
> without any particular model or brand name, you're on a generic driver. If
> it does show a name and model (my Compaq deskpro shipped with a Matrox
> Millenium G400 AGP card, so don't expect only a Compaq model), back up and
> look at the 'Colors' pull-down menu. Any choice better than 16 colors? If
> not, visit:
> 
> http://www.hp.com/country/us/eng/support.html
> 
> and look for an updated video driver according to the model and rev code of
> your machine (there should be a cryptic label with this info on the back or
> bottom). Now... Here's the part you're going to love about the computer
> industry... Let's say the original OS was Win '98 but someone re-loaded it
> with Windows ME or XP. The generic version from Microsoft may not support
> the Compaq-specific version of your video card, even though it's from a
> name-brand manufacturer. Compaq (and others) have been known to diddle the
> video firmware to add features specific to their motherboards, which means
> you'll need the Compaq driver for the newer version of Windows.
> 
> Surprise, there may not be one, because someone decided the potential number
> of upgrades does not justify the engineering cost. Let's say your machine
> was three years old when Windows XP came out and they used your specific
> video chipset in only a few thousand machines. Factor in field attrition
> with the percentage of likely upgrades and you may be part of the SOL group.
> Windows XP was particularly bad about not supporting legacy hardware unless
> the manufacturer decided to re-write their drivers, but Compaq is usually
> pretty good about this. If that's the case, here's what I'd do:
> 
> Go into Control Panel and remove the video card. Re-boot the computer.
> Windows will auto-configure the video and may find a better match for you
> hardware. If it comes out the same, run Windows Update from the START menu
> to see if there's a newer video driver. If you find No Joy from Microsoft,
> do a web search for the video chipset manufacturer to see if they have a
> semi-generic driver for your OS. It may not do something Compaq-specific
> like an auto-sleep mode, but if it provides more color depth you can
> probably live with that. Not sure what your video chipset is? Surf the
> Compaq web site for instructions on how to enter the BIOS setup routine
> (usually you press F10 when the white square flashes in the upper right
> corner at power-up, but it does vary) and look around for the video
> description. It's also not unusual for the video card BIOS to flash its
> model type at power-on, but you gotta' read it fast... If all else fails,
> buy a restore CD from Compaq and take the machine back to the original OS
> and factory setup. Yeah, you're going to lose any added-on software but at
> least the hardware will be 100% functional.
> 
> If the machine is loaded with the original OS as shipped you should find the
> correct driver on the Compaq web site, but watch the rev number! It's not
> unusual to see many variations throughout a model run, especially on
> something as broad as the Presario line... There's also a chance the
> previous owner disabled the on-board video to install a gee-whiz upgrade
> card, then pulled the gee-whiz card for use in their new machine, but that's
> a long shot. The Compaq web site should have tech notes on what the factory
> settings are for the motherboard DIP switches and jumpers, which you may
> want to confirm. (?) Just keep thinking how cool it will be when you get it
> working...
> 
> GL de AC5UP
> 
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