message "incompatible with your display" on Windows 98

[mattshirk]

Trying to revive a win98 PC for my daughter.

Getting message: "incompatible with your display" whenever I try to run some of her games. But doesn't indicate <i>what</i> is incompatible with the display. And what does it call the "display".. the monitor or the graphics card???
(DinnerDash, SpongBob, etc. boxes all said win98 compatible) however, Encyclopedia Encarta(an older game) runs Ok


Here's what I've tried:
installed new Video card
Tried 3 different monitors (1 brand new)

I know I'm crazy even messing with a Windows 98 machine but all I need it for is little kid games.

If anyone has time and ideas send them my way.

Thanks,

 

[edfair]

You might try a graphics resolution of 640 by 480 and 16 colors. That might help.
Start, settings, control panel, display, settings.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[stduc]

I think edfair is on the right lines, although I would expect a game to require more that 640*480*16

The game may need directX?

Is the PC 'up to date' If not, I suggest you use IE to manually update it whilst Microsoft still offer the service. 98 is no longer supported so you will only have to do this once. No new updates are being created.

 

[edfair]

Agreed that 640 by 480 by 16 wasn't a good choice. More likely 800 by 600 by 256, or even higher. But the actual details of needed resolution would be on the original documentation that came with the game, or on the box, or possibly on the CD.
In any case, it is a graphics card issue rather than a monitor issue at this point.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[mattshirk]

Thanks for your suggestions, but I get this error even when not running a game. It won't let me adjust the display settings period.

It is set to 640 X 480 but also lets me choose 800 X 600 but nothing higher than that.

The game does require a greater resolution like 1024 X 768.

Someone suggested letting Windows update do its thing which makes alot of sense so I'll try that next. Thanks alot for all of your help.

Matt

 

[edfair]

You have a problem with the display drivers for your video card.

There is a driver of some sort installed since you can see a choice of 800x600. But you need to upgrade it with the drivers that came with it.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[stduc]

Go to the manufacturers website and search for downloadable drivers for your exact card and operating system.

I have been known to be wrong.
The best way to thank someone who helps you is give them a star.

 

[mattshirk]

I think I tried downloading new drivers from Creative but I will check again.

I think I'll try just letting Windows update do its thing and see if I get any missing pieces that way. This is a used computer, so who knows what it is missing.