Video Card Problem/Recommendation

[Ruler2112]

I'm having a problem. I recently built myself a new system (to replace my AMD350). I've built a couple of machines for work that are very similar to it; I got a case that looks cool (not business-like ), a bigger PSU, a bigger/faster hard drive and a better video card. Everything works fine except for the video card.

I got a Gainward GeForce440SE 64 meg card with composite TV-out from NewEgg for $47 + shipping. (It doesn't appear to be on their site anymore, but I will find a link and post back when there isn't a 2 year old sleeping on my lap. ) I have an Epox EP8-RDA+ motherboard and an AMD 1700+ chip.

The problem is that I can get 16-bit color, but only at 640x480. If I bump the resolution to 800x600, I can only get 256 colors. I found an entry in the FAQ on their site about this; the fix is to install the video drivers before the MB drivers. (I thought this was BS, but have seen stranger things.) I just got done re-installing windoze 98SE. Installed the video drivers only and have the same behavior.

I'd like to know if anybody else has had a similar problem with this chipset. I'd like recommendations as to what card I should get for my new system when I return this one. (Assuming I don't fix it.) I do quite a bit of gaming, but my 16 meg banshee has worked fine in my 350 with only slight slow-ups on a very few games. I'd like TV-out if possible, preferably as an RCA jack instead of S-Video. I'm planning on doing most of my computing in Linux, which is why I went with a GF card. I'd also like to keep the cost to a minimum.

It kind of irks me that I buy a 'better' video card for this machine than the work machines I've built, spending over twice as much on it, and then it doesn't work as well as the cheapies.

Any advice?

[Omardeth]

did you check to see if the monitor is set correct . it might be set to a monitor that is not right . if windows thinks your monitor can only handle 800x600 . go into the device manager and see what it says for your monitor . if it says default monitor then you haven't set it to you monitor . what size monitor do you have .

[Ruler2112]

I have a Sony Trinitron 17", which is identified correctly in windoze and can handle high resolutions. The problem isn't the resolution, it's the color depth at the resolution, which I believe to be the fault of the video adapter.

[Omardeth]

so you checked to make sure that windows knows it is that monitor ? if it thinks it is a different monitor it will give you the problem that you have .

[sm8000]

If you had another video card in there before, did you uninstall its driver first before putting the new one in? Also, do you have onboard video?

[Telexen]

I've seen this problem multiple times...but never on a newer card like that...

What you might need to do, is check the refresh rate...set it to something other than Adapter Default...apply the settings...then SHUT DOWN the system completely...boot back up and try to change your video settings.

[Ruler2112]

Yes, I am certain that the correct monitor is listed.

I have no onboard video and I just built this machine. SE has been freshly installed twice as described in my original post, meaning no leftover drivers.

[Ruler2112]

BTW, my neice (the 2-year old) is now running around much like the Tazmainian devil. (Good thing I'm leaving for work very shortly and Grandma can deal with her! ) Here's a link to the card on GainWard's site.

http://www.gainward.com/c-1.html?id=90

[JPMiller]

I have found it is much better to download NVidia's detonator drivers than the manufacturer's.
Uninstall gainward's and install the detonator...
http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?IO=win9x_44.03
try updating DirectX as well.

[Ruler2112]

Tried those drivers JPMiller. After loading DirectX 8.1, Windoze wouldn't even boot with any version of the drivers.

Things are also a bit more complex than I originally thought. Here's a link to another book I just wrote on the weird happenings. (And people wonder why I look stressed out!)

http://www.techimo.com/forum/t67809.html