can't display above 640x480

[alice]

I'm trying to fix a PC that can't get the display above 640x480.
The monitor is a viewsonic VE510b, which is listed 3 times under
Monitor in the hardware list, and the display Adapters listed are Inet
82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family, listed twice.
I've tried clicking on Update driver on all these, and it can't find
any better versions.
When I do a windows update, it lists a driver for the monitor, but the
update fails, with no reason given as to why.
I can attempt to set the resolution up to 1024x700, but nothing
changes, it just reverts back to 640.
What should I look into at this point, replacing the video adapter?

 

[Mark F.]

I'm trying to fix a PC that can't get the display above 640x480.
The monitor is a viewsonic VE510b, which is listed 3 times under
Monitor in the hardware list, and the display Adapters listed are Inet
82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family, listed twice.
I've tried clicking on Update driver on all these, and it can't find
any better versions.
When I do a windows update, it lists a driver for the monitor, but the
update fails, with no reason given as to why.
I can attempt to set the resolution up to 1024x700, but nothing
changes, it just reverts back to 640.
What should I look into at this point, replacing the video adapter?

Sounds like the video card is failing. Not a Windows XP issue.
Try here: alt.comp.hardware

Mark

 

[JS]

Don't use Microsoft drivers.

82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset:
http://www.soft32.com/download_172313.html

Viewsonic VE510b
http://www.viewsonic.com/support/drivers/driver_information.cfm?category=1&formName=monitor&key=37

Download the above drivers, (do not install yet), delete the duplicate
entries, then install the downloaded drivers.

JS

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

One minor correction.
They are not Microsoft drivers.
They are the drivers furnished to Microsoft by the hardware
manufacturers after appropriate tests have passed.

 

[Guest]

When possible always get the drivers from the manufactuter's web site. They
generally provide additional features (and they are current).

This is for (at least) the core components (chipset, audio, video).

I've seen too many times where the ones included with Windows are flakey.

 

[JS]

Who does the testing?

JS

One minor correction.
They are not Microsoft drivers.
They are the drivers furnished to Microsoft by the hardware manufacturers
after appropriate tests have passed.

 

[Mark F.]

Who does the testing?

JS

You know, the end users. <g>

Mark

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

I am not sure, but Microsoft sets the standards.
Because of that, sometimes the drivers distributed by Microsoft have
less features.
They are also sometimes older because of the time needed.

Those are a few of the reasons it is generally best to get drivers
directly from the manufacturer and not from Microsoft.
The problems some have has nothing to do with Microsoft writing the
drivers since Microsoft does not write drivers for 3rd party hardware.

 

[RalfG]

Sometimes the drivers are provided for older hardware that the manufacturer
wants to walk away from supporting. The MS drivers are sometimes the only
ones available to use under XP. Thinking of my HP printer, my old Voodoo
card (nvidia... bah humbug!), a USB external drive and prolly some other
things.