Strange Graphics Card Problems

[thatrenowned]

I was recently asked by someone to take a look at their computer (their kid had broke it). Anyway, I got all the disks he had with it (including drivers) and proceeded to format the computer.
I put Windows 98 SE on no problem. Then I came to put the graphics in. The driver disk is one of those which is designed for numerous systems, i.e. theres loads of choices. Anyway, I picked the one which seemed most relevant to his system.
Rebooted the computer and seemed to have success. The graphics could now go up to 1600x1200 32bit True Colour.
Then I installed the sound card. Anyway, once the computer had booted back up, the sound was there, but the graphics had gone back down to 640x480 256 colours. I can increase this to 32bit, but no higher than 640x480.
I then decided to install the latest DirectX to see if that would help. It seemed to because once the computer had rebooted, I could change the resolution back to 1600x1200.
Next, I installed a motherboard diagnostics program. Had to reboot the computer, and what a surprise....graphics back down to 640x480 256 colours. Then I thought the graphics drivers might be a bit dodgy, so I went to the manufacturers site (by the way, the card is a Trident Blade 3D PCI\AGP) and downloaded the latest drivers.
Installed them and they seemed to work. I could even change the resolution to 720x480 which I couldn't before. I installed something else, had to reboot and you've guessed it, graphics back down to minimum.
So, at this point in time, I am stuck with 640x480 on either 256 colours, 16bit or 32bit. If I install any new driver for any new hardware, I can change the resolution, but once its rebooted it goes back to not being good.

Hmmmmm!

Has anyone else had this problem before, either with this card or a different one?

 

[claesb]

Is the motherboard newer than 1998? If the motherboard was manufactured after the release of win98se, then win98 will not have good functioning drivers for the motherboard.

Try to load a win98-path/driver for the motherboard first, before any graphics.

 

[Gregoire]

Are you sure it's the right driver ? Have you checked ON the video card to see what model it was ?, maybe it's just the wrong card you're trying to install.

 

[thatrenowned]

GREGOIRE : I'm sure thats the right type of card...heres a site with the specs of the motherboard on it (remember, the card is onboard)

http://www.epox.com/html/english/products/motherboard/ep-3vwm.htm

CLAESB : Try to load a win98-path/driver for the motherboard first, before any graphics.

What is one of these? I've installed a '4in1' driver which puts on stuff like IDE, UMA, PCI ISA Bridge drivers etc. Is this what you mean? If not, do you know where I can get one?

It just seems strange that after installing anything then rebooting the computer, I can change the resolution, but once rebooted again, it goes back down to minimum. Out of all the computers I have ever sorted out, this has never happened.

Thanks

 

[thatrenowned]

Its alright...I downloaded an updated driver and it worked.

Regards

 

[sedacca]

I've had exactly the same problem with one machine I built. I even tried different AGP cards, but Windows would only recognise them as basic VGA. I tried downloading up to date drivers for one of them, but even that didn't work. I've dismantled the system now and decided to start a new system from scratch.