Industry standards......

kidhuman · Post by **kidhuman** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:06 pm

Keep your feet from rubbing on the floor. Before you touch any parts, touch a piece of metal first. I usually touch the case of the computer and leave my hand on it.

jjreason · Post by **jjreason** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:10 pm

Okay, thanks for that. I'm going to wait until I have everything to really get down to business... I still need to get video and sound cards, DVD drive and burner, then a case and keyboard... and I'll be pretty close to ready. Going to be a lot more $ than I planned for however... I'm up to $800 already. :smacks forehead:

kidhuman · Post by **kidhuman** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:13 pm

Should have just bought a new one at WM for 500.

jjreason · Post by **jjreason** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 11:22 pm

I know, money-wise, but a big part of this whole thing was learning the different parts and what they do, how they work together, etc. I've been feeling really bored lately and just decided that it would be a good idea to learn how to build computers... at least that way I'll know what the other geeks are talking about when they're getting all techie.

EDITED: Okay, so the deal is this: Windows 98 has decided somehow that my monitor should only be displaying 16 colors, even though I've told it (in settings) that I want 256. I've looked around and have read that I may need to re-install the driver for my video card..... but I don't know how to: A) figure out what video card this PC is running (or even whether or not there IS one running - it's had lots of trouble with video in the past) B) how to re-install the driver. Are these programs usually stored somewhere on your PC once they're installed, or is it a search the net to download new ones situation?

mabudon · Post by **mabudon** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 6:55 am

yeah, drivers aren't programs, so you petty much just have to stick 'em where you need 'em... finding out the video card specs (including what driver/s it needs and has available) is under... ummmm..... my computer-properties-device manager tab

that should help ya out- the dirvers should be easily available,and I think it will find 'em and install em for ya if you ask it to

kidhuman · Post by **kidhuman** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 12:43 pm

Insert the disk for the video card. Make sure it is compatable with Win98 also. The drivers should be on there. If not, go to the website for the card, you should be able to dl them there.

jjreason · Post by **jjreason** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 1:13 pm

Yeah, but how do I find out what video card is installed in my PC - or even if there IS one installed? Is that under "system" or "hardware"..... I don't even know where to look.

kidhuman · Post by **kidhuman** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 1:55 pm

This is how I see it....

If you are running 98, you probably have an older computer. An LCD is a new model monitor, so your video card that is installed can not handle it. You will most likely need to get a new video card.

If you didnt have a video card, you would have no video. You could open the case and check it out, It is usually in the slot where the monitor plugs into. As for which model it is, I dont know, it might say.

Post by **vynsane** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 4:10 pm

the monitor should be hardware-independent. is there a driver for the monitor itself? you might need to install the monitor.

also, if you have a tower case, a vertically aligned port to plug the monitor into means you're running off of the on-board video. if it's further toward the bottom and horizontal, coming out of an expansion slot then it's a separate video card. it's easy to find drivers for a separate vid card, not so much for on-board vid.

additionally, your video card is outputing analog video, and the monitor is transferring the video to digital. there will be some artifacting during this process. DVI is the only real way you should connect an LCD.

check your hardware configuration, too, like the other guys say.

jjreason · Post by **jjreason** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 5:16 pm

All good info. I'm running this monitor off of an old laptop computer, so there's no expansion slot per se, only the usual spot for an external monitor to be added. I can appreciate that there will be some mis-display due to the change between analog and digital - that's understandalbe - what's not understandable to me is the fact that it was showing 256 fine when I first installed it, then broke down into 16 colors when I changed the resolution settings. Now, when I go to put the resolution back to 800 x 600, the size changes but the display still shows only 16 colors. I know the monitor can do better, I'm just sure Windows 98 has blown a gasket and won't allow it to display properly. The key is figuring out what to dink around with to get the initial display colors back with the new resolution setting.

And KH, I'm thinking the laptop motherboard had a built-in "minimum requirements" video card - I'm quite sure it wouldn't have an add-on one (based on all the trouble I've had trying to play even the smallest video clips, Clone Wars cartoons, etc).

emperordaddypants · Post by **emperordaddypants** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 6:44 pm

YOUR COMPUTER IS DOOMED JJRESASON

Post by **vynsane** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 8:50 pm

it's more likely the capabilities of the onboard graphics chip than the monitor, if that's the case...

emperordaddypants · Post by **emperordaddypants** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 11:52 pm

YOUR CAPABILITIES ARE DOOMED!!!

jjreason · Post by **jjreason** » Sun Dec 25, 2005 3:09 am

Well I got it somewhat sorted. I'm not able to run 16 bit color at the highest resolution - hence the breakdown. When I set the res to 800 x 600, I can still get the color bar to move to 16 bit as opposed to 256... which is the best I can do for now. It's WAY better than before.... but it's the same display as my old monitor only bigger.

I'm VERY interested now in seeing what the DVI connection is going to be capable of with the new video card. Should make for some damned fine porn viewing.

jjreason · Post by **jjreason** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 11:39 pm

Okay, update. Bought the case, hard drive and motherboard today. Now trying to install the motherboard, and wouldn't you know we're into fucking problems right off the bat. The stupid ports don't line up anywhere close to where they've got the supposedly corresponding holes made in the case. The piece with the holes into it looks like it could be removed and re-oriented/replaced with another piece..... is that what I should do, or I should I take the case back?

EDITED: Yes, I'm officially retarded. I actually took a look at all the other neat stuff they sent in the box with the motherboard, and found a nifty replacement for that fucked up port cover! Checking out all your pieces rocks!!!