Display problems with IBM 300pl

[momritz]

Hoping someone here can help. I have been trying to locate video adapter drivers for an IBM 300PL machine type 6862 model # 27U. This system runs Windows 98. It belongs to my friend's father and I was really hoping to fix it so he can change the resolution and color - right now there is only 2 color and 16.

Any suggestions? IBM's sight was of no assistance.

The device manager doesn't show what video card is on the system.

Thanks so much for any help you can offer.

Andi

[Miz]

According to this page (http://developer.novell.com/yes/40261.htm), the video card is an S3 Trio 3D.

Drivers for that card can be found on this page (http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html). Be sure to get the drivers for Windows 98.

However, in case the first site is wrong, you can download Belarc Advisor (http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html), run it on the IBM and see what it says about the video card.

[momritz]

Miz - thanks a bunch for your help. I'll give it a shot and let ya know how it goes. I'm sure it will be great for him to have some COLOR.

Thanks again!
Andi

[momritz]

Hey - Miz, That second link you gave me for the driver took me to Belarc Advisor as well. What's the link for the driver?

Thanks again and again!

[Miz]

Oops, sorry...that copy and paste will get me every time. ;)

Try this page (http://www.softwarepatch.com/utilities/s3trio.html).

[momritz]

Hey Miz:

I downloaded and intalled the S3 driver - it didn't fix the problem. Actually, we're now down to 16 as the only choice. On reboot the system had me change back to previous adapater.
I tried the Belarc downloa. The only info I get on the video adapter is Standard PCI (VGA).
I had found, I think maybe on this site in a different thread, a way to check the video display info in DOS - I ran that and this is the info it produced:
M VGA COMPACT 3S
BIOS. ..F..4...
3s....m..s3 86
c366 vIDEO bios.
VERSION 2.06.05
-c503.02.COPYR.


Can you offer any further suggestions? This is my last try - I know the system he has is pretty old but there has to be a better display - at least a way to change the screen resolution.

Thanks so much for all your help!

[ibmman476]

I as well have a IBM pc but it's a different model (Aptiva 1996) anyway I have problems with mine as well what I would suggest is instead of going to IBM webpage I would try either the windows website or I think that IBM has a sister company try www.lenovo.com

[Idnew]

go here and download this utility it will auto start and it will identify your S3 card if that's what is still in there

S3 graphics card identification utility.
(http://www.softwarepatch.com/utilities/s3iddownload.html)

[momritz]

That S3 identification utility did the trick. Things are fantastic! I went ahead and reformatted for him as well and then downloaded the correct S3 drivier - (which, by the way Miz gave me the correct link - I must have screwed up on the install somewhere).

Anyway, thanks for all the help- wouldn't have done it without you. You helped make a 68 yr old fella's day!

[Idnew]

WTG glad we could help.