Dell desktop stuck in VGA mode

I just purchased a Dell OptiFlex GX 260, 20 gig HDD, 256 megs of RAM, XP Home with SP2, from an auction.

I have reformatted the hard drive and re-installed XP Home with the Dell disks provided.

Both before and after the re-install, the Display appears to be stuck in VGA mode (640 x 480) and in 4 colours.

Cannot move the slider at all. Windows offers to fix the low resolution for me.
I click OK but no change.

I haven't opened the box yet, but I assume the graphics are on-board due to the position of the connector (at mobo level).

The Windows XP screen appears as 1024 x 768 resolution, but after that it all goes back to VGA.

Any suggestions, or do I just install a separate graphics card?
Would this automatically bypass the on-board graphics?

Any help in my use of this Dell desktop would be appreciated.
I have purchased this for #1 son to use when we get Broadband (now gone back to December ).
Bazza

 

it might be a problem with the driver???

 

Could be I guess, but I used all the genuine Dell disks so I thought that might fix it.

Going to have to investigate this further.
Load EVEREST and check out graphic specs and visit the Dell site, I suppose.
Thanks ekhan, for the suggestion. Bazza

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bigbazza, as am idea why not ditch the Dell disks and install using a 'proper' XP disc.

XP will at the very least install drivers for all the HW including the VGA. Agreed that they may not be the latest however, it may be worth a shot.

I know that when I installed XP on my daugther's Dell pc, I did not use the (Dell) discs as they have often caused me headaches (but that is just probably me).

Good Luck

 

Only reason for this happening should be that the correct driver for the display hardware isn't loaded.

 

Thanks, risk_reversal. I do have a genuine MS XP Pro disk. It could be worth a try.

Further investigations on my part (EVEREST) lead me to believe it might be something to do with only 1 x 256 meg stick of RAM (with a 128meg built in Graphics GPU).

I don't think there is enough free RAM for MS to load XGA capabilities, despite MS offering to reset my graphics for me.

There isn't much RAM available on bootup (around 120megs free) with little loaded.

The Dell apparently started out as a 2000 Professional (1-2 CPU?) according to the sticker on the side of the box.

The inbuilt Video Adapter has "Integrated Graphics Controller" Intel 82845G/GL/GV with GPU Code Name Brookdale-G.

There are only 2 RAM slots in the desktop and I guess that the previous owners substituted 256 meg stick or removed whatever might have been in the other slot.

RAM is DDR 266mhz, PC2100 SDRAM, 1 x 256megs stick, so I will price extra RAM today.

I tried deleting the graphics using the Device manager but the system loaded back to VGA again. Tried a repair and a re-install but no differences (still VGA). Bazza

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After loading XP from the Dell Disks, did you also install all the drivers, including the chipset & video? (With a Dell, the "Desktop/Notebook System Software" should always go first (if needed) followed by the Chipset ... after that, order doesn't matter much).

I checked online ... for the Opti GX260 & XP Home, this is the driver reinstall order:

Chipset
Video
Audio
Network

I have also included the link to the reinstall article, which should have links to the drivers that you need. If that link doesn't work for you, just go to support.dell.com & select Drivers & Downloads & then put in your Service Tag & select the OS. (Sometimes the links for their drivers can be confusing, but usually if you read them closely enough you can find the right one ... sometimes they even have 2 links for the same file!)

http://support.dell.com/support/top...B048ED&docid=0B1D7B4921464D8EE0401E0A55176B34


Hope this helps!

T

 

Thanks, TomaxBlade. I have printed out your reply and will tackle it today, if possible, in the sequence you suggested.

I think I tried some of it using the Dell Optiplex Resource CD but may not have done all you suggested.

Final day of the Aussies v Poms cricket match today on TV.
Hope we have them beaten by lunch to free up the afternoon. Bazza

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Don't forget to install DX9 after the chipset driver and prior to the VGA driver.

Good Luck

 

Hi, Bazza. It is almost guaranteed that your problem is an incorrect driver. Here you go...
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...=gen&SystemID=PLX_PNT_P4_GX260&os=WW1&osl=EN#

Good night and good luck.

 

Thanks Guys, everyone points to the driver.
Hope today to be able to get extra RAM as well
(Test cricket has finished--Aussies 1-0),

I will check out the Dell resource CD, as well as the links to the drivers that you folks have recommended. Thanks again, Bazza

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What is DX9? How do I check out what version I have and what version I need? Bazza
Same questions for the chipset driver.

Silly me, I would that thought that the Dell / MS install would have asked for the second CD when it needed it, and updated what it needed to. Bazza
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Thanks sl00py99, that link worked a treat.

I now have XGA back. Forgot how bad VGA was, when compared to XGA.

So that problem is solved, next is to get the modem working and more RAM, but that is for later.

I think the problem was a corrupted driver on the Resource CD, which maybe why MS couldn't fix it for me.

Downloading from your link did it for me, though. Thanks again. Bazza

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Added 1 stick of 512mb PC3200 RAM, backward compatible with PC2100.
RAM cost me nearly as much as the secondhand Dell desktop.
Next problem is to get the modem working, probably a driver as well, I hope. Bazza

 

Depending on what version of the Resource CD you had, it might not have had the drivers on it. They usually only put drivers for the 3 most recent systems on a Resource CD ... so its pretty easy to get a CD w/ the wrong drivers.

Pretty much -- if you have access to the internet, it is BEST to get the most current ones anyway! *grin*

A nifty way to help figure out what modem is installed (or any Dell hardware) (IF you can get it online, of course) is to have their support site scan your system.

Start here:

http://support.dell.com/support/top...rt/my_systems_info/en/details?c=us&l=en&s=gen

Change to the next tab "Current System Configuration". You'll have to agree to some piece of software, but then it will scan your system & can tell you things like the graphics adapter or the modem.

If you cannot get it online, you can use that link that I initially posted & just enter in the Service Tag -- that will at least tell you the original shipping configuration.

Good luck!