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How to troubleshoot video driver-related problems under Windows

Very often unexpected behaviors such as display problems, unexpected processor error messages, programs not functioning, mouse or speaker problems, or your computer suddenly stops responding to any input are caused by incompatible or outdated video drivers.

 

To determine if your video driver is causing a problem, you have to reset Windows to use a standard VGA adapter. If the problem disappears after changing the adapter to standard VGA, then you can be certain that the video driver is the source of the problem. Obtaining the most current set of drivers for your video card may resolve your problems.

 

STEP 1
  Change the video adapter to VGA
 
I use Windows 98/ME


1
Click Start > Run.
2
In Run dialog box, type the following text:
msconfig
3
Click OK.
4
On the general tab, click Advanced.
Check the box next to "VGA 640 X 480 X 16."
Click OK, and then click OK again.
When you are prompted to restart the computer, click OK.

If the video driver related problems persists, then go to STEP 2.

I use Windows 2000/XP


1
Restart the computer.
2
When you see the black-and-white Starting Windows bar at the bottom of the screen, start
tapping the F8 key.
3
In the Advanced Options Menu, use the arrow keys to select Enable VGA Mode.
Press Enter.
 Windows will start using VGA drivers only without changing your permanent settings. 

If the video driver related problems persists, then go to STEP 2.

STEP 2
  Turn off hardware acceleration
In some cases, the functionality associated with graphics hardware acceleration is the source of the trouble. To determine that, you have to turn off the acceleration:


1
Click Start > Settings > Control panel.
2
Double-click System.
3
When the System Properties dialog box appears, click the Performance tab.
4
Click Graphics.
5
Slide the Hardware Acceleration marker to None.
6
Click OK when you are prompted to restart the computer.

If the video driver-related problems persists, then go to STEP 3.

STEP 3
  Update video drivers

In many cases, obtaining an updated video driver can fix video-related problems. For you convenience, a list of some major video card manufactures is in the document Where to get updated video drivers.

 

 

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Document ID: 1999110214272339
Last Modified: 11/13/2006
Date Created: 11/02/1999
Product(s): TS_GEN

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