Video Memory? / Windows 95B 2

[woodswise]

I just revived an old PC I had stored in the basement. I ran fdisk from the boot disk and re-installed the O/S. My problem is now I only have 16 colors, I had more options before. The video memory says 1MB, I was sure it had 4MB before I worked on it. How do I change the video memory so It can support more colors? I would like to have at least 4MB of video memory. I thought it was the drivers at first, until I noticed the video memory. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[edfair]

If it is shared memory, it is changed in the CMOS.
If it isn't shared memory, it is likely you are having a senior moment and it only has 1 mb.
There are video drivers that need to be loaded.

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

 

[cdogg]

Yes, even with 1MB of video memory you should easily be able to get 800x600 resolution with 16-bit color or higher. That means you do not have the right video driver loaded for the onboard video accelerator. If the motherboard manufacturer still has a website, you're in luck. Otherwise, search the net for your make/model in hopes of turning up the specs and possibly the video drivers.

If for some reason you can't locate them, a newer OS like Windows 98SE might have them built-in and recognize the accelerator during the install.

~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind"
[tab][tab]- Aristotle

 

[woodswise]

Yes it is shared memory, so I was able to change that back in the CMOS to 4MB's. I tried numerous generic drivers with no luck. It was an old PC I bought from a computer show many years, not a brand name PC. I found a CD-ROM with drivers on it, but I haven't been able to figure out which ones to use. I've been doing the process of elimination, which isn't exactly the smart thing to do. It's been so long since I've used Windows 95, now I remember why. Thanks for responding to my request, and excuse the senior moment.

 

[TekTippy4U]

Open the case if you can and read the numbers off the mobo stamp and the chipsets.

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs..All involved shall be spared the grief.

 

[SkipCox]

It's likely a SiS chipset...they were common on most no name boards.

Just get the chipset number and a trip to driverguide.com should fix you up.

If you have an old cd for that board, the drivers will be on it.

More help? Post back.


Skip

http://scc.i8.com

 

[edfair]

Go to debug, display in turn C000 for a couple of pages, then C400, C800, and CC00. One of them should show you what the video chipset is.

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

 

[TekTippy4U]

Could Use this Dos Based Finder...Free

http://holin.de/screen.htm

http://www.holin.com/

It'll show mobo and chipset info

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs..All involved shall be spared the grief.

 

[cshajkur]

Its probably not worth your time to revive a dead horse but if you want to get another one go to pricewatch.com. You can pick one up for $5.00 or $10.00. The shipping might cost you more than the board.

 

[woodswise]

Through the process of elimination, I found a working driver and now have 16bit color & 800X600 res. I was trying not to spend any money on it, because I'll probably give it to my mom - she never had a PC. I still have some things I want to do with it, but other than that - there is nothing wrong with it. Now I can get back to working on some of the others I have. Thanks for all the help, I appreciate it.

 

[SkipCox]

And thanks for letting us know you got it fixed.

Skip

http://scc.i8.com