Can't specify display refresh rate

[David]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Hello, everyone.

For some reason I've been unable to specify a refresh rate value for a
monitor connected to a PC running Windows 98.

The setting I'm referring to is located under Start > Settings >
Display Properties > Settings > Advanced > Adapter. In the Adapter tab,
there is a drop-down list which consists of a series of available
refresh rate modes to choose from. Well -- it usually does. The problem
here is that the list is empty. Apart from "Adapter default" and
"Optimal" (both of which essentially mean 60 Hz), there are no other
values.

The system is equipped with the latest display driver for its graphics
chip (S3 Graphics ProSavageDDR), and the monitor is installed as a Plug
& Play device. It's a 17" CRT monitor capable of operating in high
resolution modes such as 1280x960.

I don't know how to convince Windows to populate the list of refresh
rate modes. Is there anything to try before purchasing new hardware?

Thanks

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Try this:

1. Change your display adapter to Standard VGA.

2. Uninstall Display Adapter software, if any. Not all adapters have
this, but it's much more common now than it used to be. Look in
Add/Remove Programs for any such thing.

3. Run MSCONFIG from the Start\Run menu, click on Advanced button at
lower right, and "Enable Startup Menu". You'll want to restart and go
into Safe Mode, and this makes sure the menu comes up, so that you don't
inadvertently restart in Normal Mode.

4. Restart and go into Safe Mode.

5. Go into Device Manager and remove the monitor (or all monitors if
more than one is listed.) Also look around for duplicated entries,
anywhere in the list. Write down all duplicates. They have to be *exact*
duplicates. Just write down what they are and how many of each. Lastly,
if you know your system well enough, look for entries that belong to
devices that were once installed but have since been removed. Remove any
such entries.

6. Restart.

7. Reinstall proper Display drivers and/or accompanying software. If the
problem seems to have started around the time you last updated the
drivers, consider using the older version. Just because the drivers are
the latest doesn't mean they're right for you, especially since you're
running an older OS. Any tweaks in drivers these days aren't probably
intended for Win9x issues.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"David" <da_a_78@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1111052546.042494.164150@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> Hello, everyone.
>
> For some reason I've been unable to specify a refresh rate value for a
> monitor connected to a PC running Windows 98.
>
> The setting I'm referring to is located under Start > Settings >
> Display Properties > Settings > Advanced > Adapter. In the Adapter
tab,
> there is a drop-down list which consists of a series of available
> refresh rate modes to choose from. Well -- it usually does. The
problem
> here is that the list is empty. Apart from "Adapter default" and
> "Optimal" (both of which essentially mean 60 Hz), there are no other
> values.
>
> The system is equipped with the latest display driver for its graphics
> chip (S3 Graphics ProSavageDDR), and the monitor is installed as a
Plug
> & Play device. It's a 17" CRT monitor capable of operating in high
> resolution modes such as 1280x960.
>
> I don't know how to convince Windows to populate the list of refresh
> rate modes. Is there anything to try before purchasing new hardware?
>
> Thanks
>

 

[David]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Thanks, Gary, for your insightful reply.

I followed your suggestion twice (each time installing a different
version of the same driver), to no avail.

While in the Device Manager tab, I noticed the following duplicates:

Universal Serial Bus Controllers:
USB Root Hub (3)
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller (3)
System Devices:
Motherboard Resources (2)
ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering (8 -- I think it was present
only in Safe Mode).
Network Adapters:
Dial-Up Adapter (2)
(There were only one monitor and only one display adapter in the list.)

In addition, I thought I would add the follwing notes:

- At some point I noticed that the BIOS option "PnP OS Installed" was
set to "No." I changed it to "Yes," saved the changes, and repeated
your suggestion (for the third time). As disappointing as it may sound,
it did not make any change, and the monitor yet refused to reveal its
refresh rate modes to Windows.

- At some point I also booted to Safe Mode, removed the monitor, and
restarted with a different CRT monitor (which, I know for certain, can
do better than 60 Hz) plugged in. Even this attempt failed, and Windows
did not update the list of refresh rate modes.

- It's interesting to mention that in all of the above cases, Windows
always detected the plugged monitor as "Default VGA," and not as a
"Plug & Play."

It seems it's one of those unlucky cases, but if you think anything
else can help (perhaps removal of those duplicate entries, or changes
to the BIOS), please let me know. And thanks again for your detailed
reply above.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

All of those duplicate entries are normal except the Dial-Up Networking
one. Not that it probably has anything to do with your problem, but I'd
uninstall all networking components and reinstall.

Unfortunately, I'm at the end of my list for the problem you're having.
That the monitor is not being properly detected is worrisome. Did you
try uninstalling and reinstalling the monitor *after* installing one or
another of your video drivers sets? In other words, without also
reinstalling the video adapter? At this point I'd probably be trying a
different monitor and/or video card, but that's expensive if you don't
already have those items available.

Only other thing I can think of (besides the obvious checking of
connections, reseating video card, etc.) is that a Registry entry may be
fouling things up. I'll review the literature, but I don't hold out much
hope if someone here doesn't recognize the issue. Not an easy issue to
search on.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"David" <da_a_78@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1111085725.933967.159100@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks, Gary, for your insightful reply.
>
> I followed your suggestion twice (each time installing a different
> version of the same driver), to no avail.
>
> While in the Device Manager tab, I noticed the following duplicates:
>
> Universal Serial Bus Controllers:
> USB Root Hub (3)
> VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller (3)
> System Devices:
> Motherboard Resources (2)
> ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering (8 -- I think it was present
> only in Safe Mode).
> Network Adapters:
> Dial-Up Adapter (2)
> (There were only one monitor and only one display adapter in the
list.)
>
> In addition, I thought I would add the follwing notes:
>
> - At some point I noticed that the BIOS option "PnP OS Installed" was
> set to "No." I changed it to "Yes," saved the changes, and repeated
> your suggestion (for the third time). As disappointing as it may
sound,
> it did not make any change, and the monitor yet refused to reveal its
> refresh rate modes to Windows.
>
> - At some point I also booted to Safe Mode, removed the monitor, and
> restarted with a different CRT monitor (which, I know for certain, can
> do better than 60 Hz) plugged in. Even this attempt failed, and
Windows
> did not update the list of refresh rate modes.
>
> - It's interesting to mention that in all of the above cases, Windows
> always detected the plugged monitor as "Default VGA," and not as a
> "Plug & Play."
>
> It seems it's one of those unlucky cases, but if you think anything
> else can help (perhaps removal of those duplicate entries, or changes
> to the BIOS), please let me know. And thanks again for your detailed
> reply above.
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

You might try posting in
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.win98.display.general

Also check for online for S3 SavagePro forums.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
~ In memory of our friend, MVP Alex Nichol ~
http://aumha.org/alex.htm
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"David" <da_a_78@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1111085725.933967.159100@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks, Gary, for your insightful reply.
>
> I followed your suggestion twice (each time installing a different
> version of the same driver), to no avail.
>
> While in the Device Manager tab, I noticed the following duplicates:
>
> Universal Serial Bus Controllers:
> USB Root Hub (3)
> VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller (3)
> System Devices:
> Motherboard Resources (2)
> ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering (8 -- I think it was present
> only in Safe Mode).
> Network Adapters:
> Dial-Up Adapter (2)
> (There were only one monitor and only one display adapter in the list.)
>
> In addition, I thought I would add the follwing notes:
>
> - At some point I noticed that the BIOS option "PnP OS Installed" was
> set to "No." I changed it to "Yes," saved the changes, and repeated
> your suggestion (for the third time). As disappointing as it may sound,
> it did not make any change, and the monitor yet refused to reveal its
> refresh rate modes to Windows.
>
> - At some point I also booted to Safe Mode, removed the monitor, and
> restarted with a different CRT monitor (which, I know for certain, can
> do better than 60 Hz) plugged in. Even this attempt failed, and Windows
> did not update the list of refresh rate modes.
>
> - It's interesting to mention that in all of the above cases, Windows
> always detected the plugged monitor as "Default VGA," and not as a
> "Plug & Play."
>
> It seems it's one of those unlucky cases, but if you think anything
> else can help (perhaps removal of those duplicate entries, or changes
> to the BIOS), please let me know. And thanks again for your detailed
> reply above.
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

A fellow MVP suggests that some monitors require that you have a color
profile assigned in order to be fully functional.

It also occurs to me that you can manually install the monitor with the
proper drivers (and color profile, probably) if you know the brand and
model number and can find drivers for it. What Make/Model is it?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"David" <da_a_78@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1111085725.933967.159100@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks, Gary, for your insightful reply.
>
> I followed your suggestion twice (each time installing a different
> version of the same driver), to no avail.
>
> While in the Device Manager tab, I noticed the following duplicates:
>
> Universal Serial Bus Controllers:
> USB Root Hub (3)
> VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller (3)
> System Devices:
> Motherboard Resources (2)
> ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering (8 -- I think it was present
> only in Safe Mode).
> Network Adapters:
> Dial-Up Adapter (2)
> (There were only one monitor and only one display adapter in the
list.)
>
> In addition, I thought I would add the follwing notes:
>
> - At some point I noticed that the BIOS option "PnP OS Installed" was
> set to "No." I changed it to "Yes," saved the changes, and repeated
> your suggestion (for the third time). As disappointing as it may
sound,
> it did not make any change, and the monitor yet refused to reveal its
> refresh rate modes to Windows.
>
> - At some point I also booted to Safe Mode, removed the monitor, and
> restarted with a different CRT monitor (which, I know for certain, can
> do better than 60 Hz) plugged in. Even this attempt failed, and
Windows
> did not update the list of refresh rate modes.
>
> - It's interesting to mention that in all of the above cases, Windows
> always detected the plugged monitor as "Default VGA," and not as a
> "Plug & Play."
>
> It seems it's one of those unlucky cases, but if you think anything
> else can help (perhaps removal of those duplicate entries, or changes
> to the BIOS), please let me know. And thanks again for your detailed
> reply above.
>

 

[David]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Hi again,

> Did you try uninstalling and reinstalling the monitor
> *after* installing one or another of your video drivers
> sets? In other words, without also reinstalling the
> video adapter?

Yeah, done that several times. In all cases Windows popped up a "New
Hardware Found" dialog and initially identified the screen as an
"Unknown device." A few moments later, the text was changed to "Default
VGA Screen," the dialog disappreated and Windows continued to load
normally.

> At this point I'd probably be trying
> a different monitor and/or video card, but that's
> expensive if you don't already have those items
> available.

I tried a different monitor (with no better results). If I find a video
card, I will try it too.

> Only other thing I can think of (besides the obvious checking of
> connections, reseating video card, etc.)

seems to be alright

> is that a Registry entry may be
> fouling things up.

I'll run MS Regclean, but my guess is that if it's a Registry-related
issue, only Windows reinstallation can help.

---

> A fellow MVP suggests that some monitors
> require that you have a color profile assigned
> in order to be fully functional.

By default there was no profile. I assigned one from
%WINDIR%\System\COLOR but it didn't seem to affect anything.

> It also occurs to me that you can manually install
> the monitor with the proper drivers (and color
> profile, probably) if you know the brand and
> model number and can find drivers for it.
> What Make/Model is it?

The User's Guide cover says "Newron 17" High Res flat monitor model no.
F7U755".

Thankgs guys for your help so far. I will do some more tests and will
try to contact the monitor's vendor.

If there is anything interesting to add I will let you know.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

"David" <da_a_78@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1111160194.692373.144640@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> Hi again,
>
> > Did you try uninstalling and reinstalling the monitor
> > *after* installing one or another of your video drivers
> > sets? In other words, without also reinstalling the
> > video adapter?
>
> Yeah, done that several times. In all cases Windows popped up a "New
> Hardware Found" dialog and initially identified the screen as an
> "Unknown device." A few moments later, the text was changed to
"Default
> VGA Screen," the dialog disappreated and Windows continued to load
> normally.
>
> > At this point I'd probably be trying
> > a different monitor and/or video card, but that's
> > expensive if you don't already have those items
> > available.
>
> I tried a different monitor (with no better results). If I find a
video
> card, I will try it too.

Well, if you tried another monitor, and it also came up bad, I think we
can afford to assume it's the video adapter or drivers installation
issue (such as the Registry problem I mentioned earlier.)

>
> > Only other thing I can think of (besides the obvious checking of
> > connections, reseating video card, etc.)
>
> seems to be alright
>
> > is that a Registry entry may be
> > fouling things up.
>
> I'll run MS Regclean, but my guess is that if it's a Registry-related
> issue, only Windows reinstallation can help.

I doubt that RegClean will find this kind of entry, but it's worth a
try. The kidn of thing I'm thinking of is an entry that acts as sort of
a circuit-breaker when something goes haywire. Similar to NOIDE
sometimes getting set in response to certain configurations, preventing
the system from operating in Virtual Mode. I was hoping a reinstallation
of the devices would prompt whatever it is to get removed, overwritten,
etc.

And it's way too early in the game to be thinking reinstall. It seldom
solves the problem you're trying to solve, and it may make hash of your
system, resulting in DLL Hell, broken patches, etc. Only as a last
resort will I overinstall any Windows system, and then it's usually only
when it's impossible to get into the system at all, and usually with the
understanding that a completely fresh, clean install to a reformatted
drive will follow soon afterwards.

> > A fellow MVP suggests that some monitors
> > require that you have a color profile assigned
> > in order to be fully functional.
>
> By default there was no profile. I assigned one from
> %WINDIR%\System\COLOR but it didn't seem to affect anything.

OK, that's one more thing we can probably cross off the list. Or it may
require a particular one. Not sure on that. Did you restart after
applying the color profile?

> > It also occurs to me that you can manually install
> > the monitor with the proper drivers (and color
> > profile, probably) if you know the brand and
> > model number and can find drivers for it.
> > What Make/Model is it?
>
> The User's Guide cover says "Newron 17" High Res flat monitor model
no.
> F7U755".

Darn! It would appear that it's actually manufactured by a Korean
company named Orion, which doesn't provide any support at their site.
Only computer-related company named Newron that is likely is to be the
one is an Israeli company that either doesn't have a site or the site
has disappeared. Not a good sign. Can't find any drivers anywhere.

> Thankgs guys for your help so far. I will do some more tests and will
> try to contact the monitor's vendor.

I'll continue the quest for an answer. I hope you can find the vendor. I
kinda doubt, now, that the monitor is the problem, but you never know.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Hey, a point of order, here. Everything I see says that a "Default VGA"
driver is a video driver, not a monitor designation. Can you confirm
that the *monitor* is listed as a "Default VGA" in Device Manager?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"David" <da_a_78@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1111160194.692373.144640@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> Hi again,
>
> > Did you try uninstalling and reinstalling the monitor
> > *after* installing one or another of your video drivers
> > sets? In other words, without also reinstalling the
> > video adapter?
>
> Yeah, done that several times. In all cases Windows popped up a "New
> Hardware Found" dialog and initially identified the screen as an
> "Unknown device." A few moments later, the text was changed to
"Default
> VGA Screen," the dialog disappreated and Windows continued to load
> normally.
>
> > At this point I'd probably be trying
> > a different monitor and/or video card, but that's
> > expensive if you don't already have those items
> > available.
>
> I tried a different monitor (with no better results). If I find a
video
> card, I will try it too.
>
> > Only other thing I can think of (besides the obvious checking of
> > connections, reseating video card, etc.)
>
> seems to be alright
>
> > is that a Registry entry may be
> > fouling things up.
>
> I'll run MS Regclean, but my guess is that if it's a Registry-related
> issue, only Windows reinstallation can help.
>
> ---
>
> > A fellow MVP suggests that some monitors
> > require that you have a color profile assigned
> > in order to be fully functional.
>
> By default there was no profile. I assigned one from
> %WINDIR%\System\COLOR but it didn't seem to affect anything.
>
> > It also occurs to me that you can manually install
> > the monitor with the proper drivers (and color
> > profile, probably) if you know the brand and
> > model number and can find drivers for it.
> > What Make/Model is it?
>
> The User's Guide cover says "Newron 17" High Res flat monitor model
no.
> F7U755".
>
> Thankgs guys for your help so far. I will do some more tests and will
> try to contact the monitor's vendor.
>
> If there is anything interesting to add I will let you know.
>