colors all wrong...

[KGrace]

Hi guys! I just got an e-machine from a friend and the colors are all distorted. It's like looking at the rainbow spread across the monitor. It ranges from blue to pink. I've updated the driver but nothing has changed. Okay, here's the information on this computer...
On system information it says:

eMachines
etower 633id
GenuineIntel
Intel(r)Celeron(tm) processor
63.0 MB RAM

I went to device manager and clicked on display adapters:
Intel(r) 82810 Graphics Controller
On the driver info: the driver version is 4.13.01.2951

I then clicked on Monitor:
Plug and Play Monitor
No driver files are required or have been loaded.

On Display Properties in Control Panel, the settings are:
True Color (24 bit)
800 x 600 pixels
When I click on the advanced tab and then the performance tab: Hardware Acceleration--Full

Everything looks almost blurry and it is kind of dark like the tint or contrast is wrong. I have tried to adjust it, but nothing helps.

I hope this is enough information. Thanks for any replies!
K. :confused:

[degsy]

Hi guys! I just got an e-machine from a friend and the colors are all distorted. It's like looking at the rainbow spread across the monitor. It ranges from blue to pink. I've updated the driver but nothing has changed


Where is the monitor positioned?
Is it near any magnetic sources (speakers).

Check that the monitor cable is connected securly between the Monitor & PC.

Could simply be that you have a duff monitor ;)

[ 26 January 2002: Message edited by: degsy ]

[KGrace]

Hi Degsy. I just got the computer late yesterday and it is sitting on my table away from any magnetic sources, although....the speakers are mounted on the side of the monitor. They are supposed to go there, though. It is a Packard Bell monitor. Now this morning, I can hardly see it becuase it is so dark. I'll try another monitor and see...
Thanks, K.

[KGrace]

Theoran, Mr1drful, Spider......any ideas? The other monitor I tried seems to be too dark, too.
Thanks for any replies.
K. ;)

[Spider]

Originally posted by KGrace:
Theoran, Mr1drful, Spider......any ideas? The other
monitor I tried seems to be too dark, too.
Hi KGrace, good to see ya asking questions ;)

I'll give this a go although I was agreeing with what degsy
thought initially that the monitor was pooched.
Then you had to go and post that you tried another monitor
and it's dark to...hmmm.

Did your friend make any statements like
"there is nothing wrong with it"
"we don't know what to do with it"
"we thought you might want it"
"we bought a new one and don't need two"
?
I have found that when people "give" computers away for free
it's usually because there is something wrong with it (or at
least they think it's something expensive). Funny, they'll
swear the machine worked fine even when you show them
the bill from guys like me. No worries though, even if
the gfx(graphics) card is pooched a PCI one can be
had for the price of a lunch for three at McDonalds.

Let's try and eliminate a couple of possibilities.

You have played(adjusted) the brightness on both monitors?
I mean the external dial controls that are right on the monitors.
(hey, I had to ask ;) )

You can try these new drivers (http://www.compaq.com/support/files/desktops/us/download/9774.html) for the Intel® 82810 Graphics Controller.

[KGrace]

Hi Spider! Okay, I played with the controls a little and it's not as dark, but the colors are still all pastel. They cover the whole spectrum of colors. New glitch, though. Now when I reboot, the error box pops up that says:

Error Starting Program
The IGFXTRAY.EXE is linked to missing export HCCUTILD.DLL:IS DISPLAY VALID

When I click Okay...another box pops up that says:

Error Starting Program
The HKCMD.EXE is linked to missing export HCCUTILS.EXE:IS DISPLAY VALID

When I click Okay, it starts up like normal. Soooooo....could these two files be contorting my colors? :)
K.

[Spider]

Originally posted by KGrace:
Hi Spider! Okay, I played with the controls a little
and it's not as dark, but the colors are still all pastel.
They cover the whole spectrum of colors. New glitch,
though. Now when I reboot...
So you played with the controls a little and now when
you bootup you have errors that were not there before?

You should download the drivers I gave a link to above
and install them.

[Spider]

http://seafoods.hypermart.net/images/eyes_back_n_forth.gif

Now where did she go?

[KGrace]

Hi! I am here. I used a different monitor with that computer and put this one on an old NEC system. I formatted and installed Windows 95 (it's only 100 MHz) and now on the device manager, when I click on Display Adapters, it says:

Standard PCI Graphics Adapter (VGA)

I can't change anything in the display settings. It won't go any higher than 16 colors. It looks awful! What do I need to do? Or is there anything I can do? Also, can I upgrade Win 95 to Win 98 with only 100 MHz? Thanks!
K.
;)

[Spider]

Originally posted by KGrace:
when I click on Display Adapters, it says:
Standard PCI Graphics Adapter (VGA)
I can't change anything in the display settings. It won't go
any higher than 16 colors. It looks awful!
Well WindowsXX loaded that driver for your graphics. When
you format it erases everything on the hard drive. Inside the
C:\Windows folder were drivers for the graphics and they got
erased with the format.

A good rule of thumb before formatting is to make a note of
every device driver that is currently running then that way
you can go get new drivers while your still able to look at
the computers information.

If you format first then look for drivers(the situation your
sitting in right now with the graphics) it's a much harder
find because first you have to identify the device make
and model. So like for your graphics problem we need
to know what device controls the graphics. Is it chips on
the motherboard? What kind of motherboard? Is it an ISA
graphics card? What make and model of ISA card? etc. etc.

Also, can I upgrade Win 95 to Win 98 with only 100 MHz?
The 100MHz is the speed of the CPU(brain). What will make
Windows98 work is how much RAM you have. Windows98
needs 64Mb(megabytes).

I be honest with you here KGrace. Old machines are not only
a pain in the hind quarters, but they will give you gray hair.
Nothing works right in them, parts are pick n' poke around
second hand computer shops. Most of the parts are used
and 54% of the time they are sold broken. RAM chips are
different than what everybody uses today.

First thing you want to do is identify the graphics device on
your comp. Let's try this. You read off everything you can
from the outside of the computer. The make, the model,
any documents you might have with it, any CDs or floppies.

We can probably find something from that. Otherwise it's
surgery time and you have to open the hood and pull stuff
out and read little numbers and stuff off of the motherboard.

[KGrace]

Hi Spider. I actually opened up the computer and found the numbers and then....tah-dah! I found the correct driver, downloaded it, and installed it....before I read your message! Aren't you proud of me? ;) (Alliance ProMotion 6422) The screen still isn't as bright as I want it to be, and yes, I've adjusted the brightness and contrast knobs, but at least it looks better.

As far as the older computers go, I have a Gateway 667 MHz, 64 MB RAM, etc.. which does fine for me. I know it isn't the newest and it doesn't have alot of RAM, but I like it. These older computers are ones I get from a friend who works for an insurance company. They get to bid on the salvage from claims. She gives them to me because she knows I like to play with 'em. And she loves me(she's my Mom.)
:D
This monitor is one that was supposedly hit by lightning. I guess that would explain the crazy colors. Although the new driver did help the colors a little. Oh well, I can see it and that's all that matters. Now everyone in the house has a computer.

Thanks again for your help. I just love this site! :D ;) :)
Kelly

P.S. This computer only has 16 MB RAM. Next hurdle....

[ 27 January 2002: Message edited by: KGrace ]

[Spider]

Originally posted by KGrace:
Hi Spider. I actually opened up the computer and found
the numbers and then....tah-dah! I found the correct driver,
downloaded it, and installed it....before I read your message!
Aren't you proud of me? ;)

http://seafoods.hypermart.net/images/happyface_drop_jaw.gif
isn't as bright as I want it to be
Yea, it's almost a door-stop.
As far as the older computers go, I have a Gateway
667 MHz, 64 MB RAM, etc.. which does fine for me.
Y'know a quick trip down to the comp store and $20.00-$25.00
for 128Mb RAM and you'd be surprised how much faster your
applications run as well as Windows.
These older computers are ones I get from a friend who
works for an insurance company...And she loves
me(she's my Mom.)
So what your trying to tell me is your Mom is your friend? ;)
I say AUCTION NEPOTISM!! ;)
This monitor is one that was supposedly hit by lightning
Oh yea, now you bring that into the picture.I can see you
explaining a plumbing problem...
~KGrace points and says~
There is a little bit of water coming out of that thing.
~she is pointing at Hoover Dam~
;)

P.S. This computer only has 16 MB RAM. Next hurdle....

I think a hair that fell out of my head today had 16Mb of RAM in it to. :D

Hey, you sure put the boots to that comp KGrace. At this
rate we're going to be asking you for help.

Good job...kudos (I don't know what kudos are but people say
it when they can't pat people on the back).

[KGrace]

Are you gonna tell me how to install the 128 MB RAM? If so, I'll run right out tomorrow and get it! ;) As far as the lightning hit goes, Mom didn't tell me about that until today when I told her how distorted the colors were. :D
I guess I better turn this computer off for the night. My hubby is beginning to hate these things. :eek:
Kelly

[Spider]

Originally posted by KGrace:
Are you gonna tell me how to install the 128 MB RAM?
If so, I'll run right out tomorrow and get it.
RAM is the easiest of all components to install. If you can
eat ice cream, you can install RAM.
When you buy it you'll be able to match what it looks like
to the other one inside. The slot next to the one inside has
a little pull-back clip on one side...pull it back, insert the
RAM with the chips pointing the same way as the other
RAM stick, push down and wiggle the RAM till it's in the slot,
put the pull-back clip up till you feel it clip onto the groove
at the top-edge of the RAM stick.
I'm pretty sure you want to buy PC133 RAM.

I guess I better turn this computer off for the night. My hubby
is beginning to hate these things.
You two will learn, in time, to have great disagreements
about the computer time :) It goes with the territory.

You know what your turning into now don't you? There
is a name

[Theoran]

I'M HERE!!! Am I too late? or did I miss the party again! :(

:D

[Spider]

Originally posted by Theoran:
I'M HERE!!! Am I too late? or did I miss the party again! :( :D
Hi Theoran, welcome to Cyber Tech Help.

How can we help yo....oh!

heh.

Same 'ol stuff. KGrace rippin' up the dead comps of the
world and makin' Crays out of 'em.

[KGrace]

Okay...it's 1:45 AM and I snuck back in here. Hubby is asleep so keep it down! :eek: Spider, I give...what's the name that I'm becomming? Hi, Theoran! One day I'll get this computer stuff figured out. Now, where can I get some extra money for RAM without hubby knowing.......uh-oh I'm caught! Gotta go! G'night ya'll.
;)
Kelly

[ 27 January 2002: Message edited by: KGrace ]

[Spider]

Originally posted by KGrace:
Okay...it's 1:45 AM and I snuck back in here.Hubby is
asleep so keep it down!
Ok...that's it, your definitely confirmed now. Sneaking to get
into the chair :)

Spider, I give...what's the name that I'm becoming?
A computer geek. Geek for short. Personally I find the term
quite honorable.

[KGrace]

Hmmm...Geek....I think I like it! ;) :D :) By the way, my Mom's boss gave me another computer. His son got a new one. He said something was wrong with it, but I haven't found anything so far. I'm in the process of reloading Windows 95 now. It's only got 16 MB RAM. :(
Kelly

Update: I decided to put the RAM in the other computer with only 16 MB.....put the sound card in my oldest computer. Now I have only 4.....
:D

[ 28 January 2002: Message edited by: KGrace ]

[Theoran]

You defiitely need some help. :D I'm not a Geek, I'm computer inclined. ;)

[KGrace]

:D :D ;)

[Spider]

Originally posted by Theoran:
I'm not a Geek, I'm computer inclined.
Well sometimes we have to get out of the chair,
walk over to the mirror,
look at who is there,
and say "geek".

Fess up! ;)

[KGrace]

Okay guys, quick question. (Yes, it is 1:37 AM!) On two of these computers, you can't hear a CD playing in the CD Rom except through headphones connected directly to the CD Rom. I can hear sounds through the speakers any other time, just not with a music CD. What's going on?
K. :confused:

[Theoran]

Make sure the audio cable is plugged into the sound card and the CDROM correctly. The audio cable is usually a semi-fat grey cable or a couple of small red and white cables twisted together. Also, double click on the speaker icon is the bottom right hand corner and make sure that your CD Player Balance volume is not muted and is at the appropriate level. ;)

[ 29 January 2002: Message edited by: Theoran ]

[KGrace]

Hi Theoran! :) Been there, done that. Everything is connected correctly. Nothing is muted on the volume control. I've gone into the advanced properties in the Multimedia icon in Control Panel and made sure everything was okay there, too. I'm stumped. :confused: I don't know what else to do, except throw my hands up and scream loudly! :eek: HELP!!!
Kelly

P.S. Should I start a new thread about this?

[ 29 January 2002: Message edited by: KGrace ]

[KGrace]

Update: When I double click the litle volume thingy at the bottom of the screen and click properties, it says, "Sound System Mixer (534)" on both the computers that won't play cd's. Now I looked on the other two that will play cd's and they both have something different. My computer says, "Crystal WDM Audio" and my son's says, "AC'97 Sound Card." Could this be the problem? Both of the other computers have OPTi sound cards.
K. :confused:

[Theoran]

Yes please. :)

Make sure you start it in the appropriate forum. ;)