Reinstall Won't Install Monitor Driver

[Crownjuhl]

I was having a lot of problems and decided to reformat and reinstall. I have
XP with SP2 installed from the CD sent with my computer (Dell Dimension
3000). However, the monitor driver won't install.

In Control Panel/Display/Settings/Advanced/Monitor - I can't update the
driver because that button is gray.

When I go to Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager - the Video
Controller has the big yellow question mark. When I choose to reinstall the
driver, I go through the wizard and even when I point it at EXACTLY the
location of the driver (both from the CD I received OR the downloaded drivers
from Dell onto the hard drive), I get the message that the location doesn't
contain information about my device.

I am getting a default VGA compatible monitor setting, so I can use the
computer, but the setting is getting on my nerves.

I've tried everything I know, so I'm hoping someone else has more ideas.
Thanks in advance!

 

[DL]

Did you install all the other drivers from your Dell driver cd?

 

[Crownjuhl]

This CD only has the monitor drivers. There were no other driver CDs and I
did use the Windows XP CD that came with the computer, so that may have
automatically installed drivers specific to my setup (minus the monitor since
that varied depending on what package you purchased).

The other devices listed with no drivers are: multimedia audio controller,
printer, and ethernet controller.

I haven't tried to install anything else until I get the monitor figured
out, hoping that if I get that done, the rest will install smoother. Or, if I
have to trash it all, I wouldn't have so much work to re-do.

 

[Buffalo]

This CD only has the monitor drivers. There were no other driver CDs
and I did use the Windows XP CD that came with the computer, so that
may have automatically installed drivers specific to my setup (minus
the monitor since that varied depending on what package you
purchased).

The other devices listed with no drivers are: multimedia audio
controller, printer, and ethernet controller.

I haven't tried to install anything else until I get the monitor
figured out, hoping that if I get that done, the rest will install
smoother. Or, if I have to trash it all, I wouldn't have so much work
to re-do.

Find our what video card is installed on your PC. You need to install the
video (graphic) card drivers first and then you will be able to install the
Monitor drivers if you want.
Buffalo
PS: VGA is the default vid install when the proper video card drivers are
not installed.
You should be able to dl them from Dell or directly from the mfg of the
card.

 

[smlunatick]

Find our what video card is installed on your PC. You need to install the
video (graphic) card drivers first and then you will be able to install the
Monitor drivers if you want.
Buffalo
PS: VGA is the default vid install when the proper video card drivers are
not installed.
You should be able to dl them from Dell or directly from the mfg of the
card.

In reality, both the correct motherboard chipset drivers and the video
card manufacturer's enhanced drivers are needed to be installed.
After these are installed, the monitor driver should be customizable.
Microsoft's standard chipset drivers / video card drivers are
extremely limited. They are just to get you into XP so as to further
install the hardware drivers.

 

[DL]

Make a note of your Dell Tag # visit Dell site/ downloads for your specific
tag #
Install chipset drivers, if your vid is onboard they will be included.
If Vid card is an external they will be seperate drivers

In my Experience of Dell PC's they supply both a win installation cd
together with a drivers cd, things may be different in your country

 

[Crownjuhl]

Thank You DL, Buffalo and smlunatick!
All of these answers helped me - I was able to download the right drivers
from Dell.com (I just downloaded the monitor driver before) and am now very
happy with my set up working like "normal." I was unaware I needed the
chipset and multimedia drivers installed before the monitor could be
installed.

Crownjuhl