Posted in Computers & Tech / Hardware Workshop
Author: WeaponX Total-Replies: 25

Hi, I keep getting this VGA Mode Not Supported message on the LCD monitor whenever it tries to go into Windows. I have read up on this online and it seems to be a problem with the refresh rate. The problem is that I can't boot into Safe Mode to change the refresh rate to a lower setting because it either freezes or also shows that VGA Mode message again.

This is a Compaq that I'm fixing for someone and they just have the 5 recovery discs that came with it. I tried putting the first one in and selected to do the format and recover option. It goes through the recovery progress and then just shows the same VGA Mode message once again. It never asks for the second recovery disc even.

Is there any way I can go around this and change the refresh rate somehow?

I'm sure the LCD monitor itself is good as I connected it to a laptop and also could boot into the BIOS settings.

Thanks in advance.

Posted in Computers & Tech / Hardware Workshop
Author: chickenside Total-Replies: 6

I've decided to convert to an LCD monitor over the CRT, which I believe to be infinitely better.

Anyway there are certain applications that, when I start up, the monitor goes black and a message says: Out of Timing H: 43 Hz V 27kHz.

Or something like that. Any help? Drivers are up to date, and I think it's not influenced by resolution. I'd like to get this to work because it was rather large investment.

Thanks.

Posted in Computers & Tech / Operating Systems / GNU/Linux
Author: qwijibow Total-Replies: 4

Of course you can change it

You send a message to the kernel telling it to use th VESA framebuffer for consoles.
if you re old enough, you will remember that the vesa frame buffer was used before X11 to display graphical games like Quake..

here's how it works...
as root, with your faveorite text editor, open up the file "/boot/grub/menu.lst"

you should see somthing similar to this...



you need to add the following t the end of the line that begins with the word "kernel"



0x318 is a kernel resolution code.
any resolution between 600x480 and 1600xSomthing
is possable, but will be limited by your craphics cards and monitors maximum.

0x318 is the mode i use, and gives me approxamatly 50 lines of console..
i think the maximum readable lins is 80, after that the text gets too small.

you will need to keep trying different resolution codes untill you find one that A: is supported by your craphics card. B: is a comfortable font size for you.

here is a list o resolution codes...

taken from http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Framebuffer-HOWTO-5.html section 5.3
if the following table doesnt line up / isnt readable, click this link.



You can do som pretty cool things with the frame buffer.
like for example a booting splash screen, with a scroll bar (similar to that used bu windowsXP while its booting)

anyway.. this SHOULD work... it may not if you are using a very old linux distro, or you compiled the kernel yourself, and removed vesa framebuffer support.

enjoy !

Posted in Computers & Tech / Hardware Workshop
Author: (G)swapan Total-Replies: 16

graphic card problemHelp! Pc Not Detecting Video Card

I have a compaq  oc with specification as below--

740 mb ram 

160 mb video card 

To play latest games I installed and vadio vedio card of 256 mb but it worked for a year smoothly and suddenly it stopped working , so my  Pc man installed another same card. However now the pc graphics works good for 45-50 minutes and then starts changing and withing next 10 minutes the mouse stop working with lot of cracks on the screen!!with a message

"your nvd card has stopped'

---

1- I found the drivers  cd given to us is black! is it because the man who came to install it did not install the drivers?

Please help !

-question by swapan

Posted in Computers & Tech / Hardware Workshop
Author: (G)Nunadenisa Total-Replies: 24

15 pin VGA cableVGA Monitor Cable Problems

Hello everyone, I have a 15 pin vga cable that is like 4-5 FT long, when my computer was close to my TV I would connect my computer with TV without a problem, now I moved my computer to another room and bought another VGA 15 pin cable that is 16Ft long, when I connect my PC with the TV I get a message "NO SUPPORT". The short cable works the long cable doesn't work (they both have 15 pins and look identical to me) by the way the long cable works on my monitor but not on TV. Anybody knows the solution to this, just don't tell me that the solution is very simple, move your PC to where it was and problem solved :-)

-question by Nunadenisa

 

Posted in Computers & Tech / How-To's and Tutorials / Hardware related Stuff
Author: rbf1787 Total-Replies: 67

I'm sure 95 % of you are running your system with one monitor. Primarily because that is the default for any computer. What if i told you that running your system with dual monitors or even triple monitors will increase your user performance extensively?

Ways it helps:
- can play some games while instant messaging, writing emails, watching movie on other screen, looking up something online, etc...
- Helps with working on websites or other programming, because code can be on one side, while the preview image is on the other monitor.
- Spreads the space out so you have more table top room, which allows you to use it more efficiently.
- Working on essays: you can have your word processor on one side and your source on the other monitor.

their are an exponensial amount of pro's to having dual/trip monitors.

this is how to get it working:

in order for all of this to work, you obviously need another monitor or a tv next to your computer.

Step 1:
- check your computer hardware guide to see what kind of graphic card your computer supports (AGP, or PCI).
- after checking which kind of port your computer offers buy a video card, a good place to do research for one is http://tomshardware.com and an excelent place to buy is http://newegg.com
- Nvidia is better w/ dual monitors than Radeon are more effective w/ games.

Step 2:
- now that you have your video card, it's time to install it.
- Make sure your computer is turned off for this next step.
- take the case off of your computer and your motherboard manual should show you where the video card port is.
- it should click right in.
- after the hardware is installed into your computer, you now must instal the software required to run it.

Step 3: FOR A MONITOR
- plug the primary monitor into the video card monitor port, and plug the secondary monitor into the default computer monitor port.

Step 3:FOR A TV WITH SVIDEO
- if you don't have an svideo chord that can reach from your tv to your computer then buy one or move your tv closer.
- plug the chord into the svideo input in the video card, then plug the other end into the tv svideo input.

Step 3: FOR A TV W/OUT SVIDEO OPTION
- buy an Svideo --> RCA male/IN adapter, at radioshack and best buy they are about 20 dollars, but i bought one on ebay fro 99 cents w/out shipping.
- then plug the svideo chord to the svideo option in the video card panel, then plug the other end to the adapter, then the adapter to one of your rca inputs.

Step 4:
- turn on your computer, a prompt should come up saying your computer has revieled new hardware. put in the software installation cd, which should be included, if not go to the website of your video card manufacturer and download the driver for the specified video card.
- after the driver/software is installed install any extra required programs, i.e. upgraded directX version... restart your computer.

Step 5:
- both monitors should be working when the computer is rebooted. If not then right click on the desktop--> properties --> settings --> click on the video card monitor should be a little box w/ monitors, activate the check box that say "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor." if already activated, go to the other monitor.
- if there is only one monitor click "advanced" --> click the tab of the video card --> dual displays or display settings.

any questions just pm me or email me

thanks,
matt

Posted in Computers & Tech / Hardware Workshop
Author: levimage Total-Replies: 36



No, but what I do see, are a lot of over stocked or limited quantity of newly released High Quality Gaming components up for sale at various local on online vendors up for the grabbing while supplies last.

True story... my friend's friend was in a store of such a mechant and saw a Tom Tom GPS on a clearance table at 50% off. A floor manger walked by saying what's the price. When he replying the manager gotta message on his two way radio... and said bring it to the register and I'll mark 50% off.

So the guy after telling the manger what the 50% off price was, went to register to check out. As a clerk scanned the bar code, which read the 50% off price. The manager came by and asked the clerk... 'what's the price? Good. Mark 50% off for this gentleman.'

By the time the clerk realized what he did. Cause he knew the price was discounted. And the manager already made a verbal agreement. My friend's friend was already browsing some other items on his way out the door. Sure the manager or clerk could have stopped him but he just let him go. So he go a new Tom Tom for 25% of the original price! How's that for a Sale?

Posted in Computers & Tech / Hardware Workshop
Author: miCRoSCoPiC^eaRthLinG Total-Replies: 59

Man.. what wouldn't I give to get myself an old-timer like that... keep it safe & well.. it's going to be an invaluable mesuem piece in no time

I don't need to say much about my system specs - it's always attached with my signature.. but for bragging's sake, I'll embed it in the message body here:

Posted in Computers & Tech / Hardware Workshop
Author: demolaynyc Total-Replies: 195

oh man, my pc is the most interesting out of all of yours. Mine is a

HP Intel PIII 1ghz
10gb
128mb
cd-rom drive
usb 1.1
ac '97 sound and intel graphics accelerator 8mb

programs are:
adobe photoshop cs2
macromedia studio 8 that includes flash 8 and dreamweaver 8
some instant messaging programs
and counterstrike and steam