Problem with Dell Laptop screen resolution won't change

After reformatting a DEll Inspirion 1100 laptop (with a generic Dell Windows XP CD, not the one that came with) my screen resolution is stuck on the lowest possible res. Can't change it, it won't let me.

In device manager i have no heading for display adaptors now...a bunch of devices in OTHER DEVICES section with yellow ?s including "VGA compatible Video Controller"

what should I do?

 

Greetings, f2rc.

First, of all, I strongly suggest you download and install Service Pack 3 if you have not already done so (you may have to install Service Pack 2 as a prerequisite).

The Dell drivers for your machine are as follows:

1. Chipset - once you install this, make sure you reboot your machine.

2. Then install the Video driver.

Be advised: this thread may be moved to the Drivers forum. Let us know how it goes.

 

What Service Pack are you running in XP? I would upgrade to SP3 first.

After that, in the device manager, right click on the other devices section and scan for hardware changes. it might install the drivers manually.

otherwise you need to goto Dell's website, and in the support section enter your model computer and get the drivers for the video.