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Video Troubleshooting
Signs of Video Card trouble could be:
Computer intermittently
locks up when playing 3D games.
Unable to play certain
games.
Windows has difficulty
launching in normal mode.
Small colored dots
splattered across your screen.
If you are experiencing any of the above, then please try the following steps to fix the problem:
- Be sure that the
Monitor is hooked directly to the PC and not by any video extension
cables.
- Check the connectors
for any bent or broken pins. Also, check for any other signs of damage.
If any damage exists, replace the affected cable.
- Reinstall or update
your Video driver. You will need to visit the manufactures web site to
obtain the correct driver for your video card.
- Try downloading the
latest version of Direct-X from Microsoft's web site.
- Visit the problem games
web site for any patches that may be available.
- Try re-seating the
video card.
- If none of the steps
has helped your video issue, then it is very possible that you have a
bad video card.
There are several methods of determining the type of video card in your computer, below are a few of these methods.
Method One:
- Open an MS-DOS prompt. In Windows 95/98 and
Windows NT 4.0 [Click] Start, then Programs, then [Click]
either MS-DOS Prompt or Command Prompt. In Windows 3.x or Windows NT
versions before 4.0 [Double Click] Main group and [Double Click]
the MS-DOS icon.
- In the MS-DOS window that opens, type: Debug
press the [Enter] key.
- A dash should appear on your screen followed by a
flashing cursor. Type: D C000:0010 and press the [Enter]
key.
- A screen of hexadecimal numbers will appear with
the ASCII translation on the far right edge of the screen. The information
will include the identifier for your video card.
- Type: Q and press the [Enter] key to
exit the debug program.
- Type: Exit and press the [Enter] key
to return to the Operating System.
Method Two:
The alternative method to the
above recommendation would be to open the computer case and read the
manufacture name on the chipset or the circuit board of the video card or
motherboard.
Method Three:
If the Video card does not
have any visual description locate a FCC ID number and use the FCC search
located at the
Federal ID Search Page
Problem:
Every time I logon to Windows XP my screen resolution defaults back to a large size and I have to go manually change it. How can I make this setting stay where I want it? Possible Solution: It sounds like you need to update your video card drivers or your current drivers have become corrupt. Try going to your manufactures web site and download the latest drivers or you can have Windows search for driver updates for you (detailed below). You can find out who made the video card by going to: Start>> Administrative Tools>> Computer Management. Under the System Tools category, click Device Manager. Click the plus symbol (+) next to the entry titled Display adapters.
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