Resolution Problem

Question

Hello,   Recently, I re-installed my operating system. (Windows XP Home) Before the instillation, my resolution was set to 1024 by 768 pixels. Once I re-installed the operating system, I tried to change the resolution back to that setting. Once I clicked 'OK', I saw the resolution like I never did before. Instead of being more like a rectangular shape it's supposed to be, it was more of an oval shape. Before, it was that good rectanguar shape. 800 by 600 works fine, but I would rather prefer to have 1024 by 768 working properly. Anybody know a solution to this problem?   Thanks, APS

SR45 · Answer

First, when you re-installed windows, did you also install the ChipSet driver as well  ?  Did you install the video card driver, afterwards you can set the proper resolution ?

djandrew · Answer

video drive? what's that? is there a special disc that came with Dell for this?

SR45 · Answer

What video card do you have on your system now? Is it an ATI card or Nvidia ? Better still, what kind of computer do you have ? Model number ?....is it a Dim 2400 or 3000 or a Dim 4600, what ? Your disks that came with the system may have the video driver on it, if not you will have to download one of the current driver's and install it in order to get the monitor resolutions back to normal.

Dim 4400 ( 2002 ) ..........This is my model number what is yours

2.6 Ghz
Bios A06
768 MB DDR 2100
Windows XP Home
SP-2
1703 FP LCD monitor
PC-Cillin Internet Security

Ti 4200 128 mb DDR 2100 card from Nvidia.....This is my video card....what is yours

djandrew · Answer

I have a Nvidia on Dimension 4500.

SR45 · Answer

Just for a future reinstall of windows, it is best to do so in the following order :

1. Reformat and re-install windows xp

2. Install the service patch ( SP-2 ). This service patch may include the driver for your video card as it did with mine, and I did not have to install another video card driver. All I had to do after the install of the service patch, was to go into Display Properties, and set the resolution, unless the patch does it for you after a reboot..

3. Install next, the ChipSet driver, if it was not installed when you installed windows xp, like it does with my system ( Dim 4400 )

4. Install the video card driver ( Keep it handy on a disk after you download it )

5. Install Microsofts Critical updates,

6. Install everything else on your system..

These are the proper steps in a re-install of windows xp, and works very well. After you do it once, its very easy, but time consuming.

If you have problems with your system, it is best to list your computer spec's, as I have done in your post, so that it will help the helper to assist you better. Good luck

Dim 4400 ( 2002 )
2.6 Ghz
Bios A06
768 MB DDR 2100
Windows XP Home
SP-2
1703 FP LCD monitor
PC-Cillin Internet Security

Message Edited by SR45 on 03-04-2005 05:16 PM

SR45 · Answer

You can go to Nvidia.com and download a driver for your video card or click on the below link, and download a driver. Install the driver, reboot and than set the resolution to your monitor..If the driver is not to your liking than you can look at the Nvidia's Archive for a driver that works best for that card...I know you have a nvidia card, but do not know which one.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_66.93

Dim 4400 ( 2002 )
2.6 Ghz
Bios A06
768 MB DDR 2100
Windows XP Home
SP-2
1703 FP LCD monitor
PC-Cillin Internet Security

djandrew · Answer

:smileyindifferent:   Well, I clicked on the link provided, and installed it. A new resolution came: 900 by 600, which is a little better than 800 by 600, so I'm using that. But remember, my desired resolutions (1024 by 768) is still round-ish.   P.S. - I have Nvidia GeForce4 MX 420

SR45 · Answer

That's a very low end card you have, but should still be able to show 1024x768. You might want to go to Nvidia's web site and download another driver. The 27.30 driver was meant for that card, but you might want to go one better. Un-install the old video card driver, use the driver cleaner, reboot the system, and install a better video card driver. Than reboot the system again and set the resolution to the one you like. If this does not work, maybe its the old video card that you have that is the problem...What monitor do you have ? CRT or LCD and what size ?

Just to clear things up...Did you go into Display properties and set the resolution using the slider bar, than clicked apply, than after the monitor goes blank for a second or two, another box shows up in the upper left corner, and you have to agree to the new settings. Click Apply, than OK, it should read the new resolution.

SR45 · Answer

Oh yes, this is the link to the Nvidia's web site to download a better driver. Look towards the bottom and you will see the driver # 29.42 or the 30.82 that might be better than the one you have now, if that one does not function properly. Just click on the driver and download it and burn it to a cd.

Than use the driver cleaner provided below and do a clean un-install before installing the new driver. A link is provided for you to read up on how and why using a driver cleaner is best when you change drivers....

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp-2k_archive.html Nvidia's driver download site to download a better driver..Look towards the bottom for the WHQL Certified driver 29.42 or the 30.82, which might be better than the one you have now...Make sure you do the following in the other post about making sure you set the resolutions correctly before downloading the other driver.

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=752253 Read this.... Information as to how and why you should use a driver cleaner http://www.drivercleaner.net/ Driver Cleaner Pro Download site for a good driver cleaner

Dim 4400 ( 2002 )
2.6 Ghz
Bios A06
768 MB DDR 2100
Windows XP Home
SP-2
1703 FP LCD monitor
PC-Cillin Internet Security

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