Video Driver Updates

Some video cards on Windows 98 computers may cause unexplained program crashes either when starting programs or when selecting menu choices. The crash (access violation) is caused by an older driver that is not compatible with Windows 98. You need to update your video driver. A video driver is the software used to communicate between Windows and your video card and monitor.

Switching the video display to VGA will help determine if the video drivers on your computer are corrupted or conflicting with the application.

How to Identify your Video Card and Current Driver

  1. Go to the Control Panel.
  2. Select Display.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Write down yout current settings.
  5. Click the Advanced button.
  6. Click the Adapter tab.
  7. The name of the video card, manufacturer, version number, and the filenames of the drivers are displayed. Write this information down so you have information available in case anything goes wrong.

How To Change to the Standard VGA video adapter

  1. Start the computer in Safe mode.

    1. On your screen, locate and click the Start button. From the Start menu, click Shut Down. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Shut Down the Computer, then click Yes.
    2. After the computer has been shut down, turn on the computer and begin pressing the CTRL key in one-second intervals.

      Note: If you are using Windows 95, press the F8 key, instead of the CTRL key.

      If you complete this step successfully, the Microsoft Windows Startup Menu is displayed. If no menu is displayed and Windows starts up normally, shut down the computer and restart the computer again, pressing the appropriate key until the Windows Startup Menu appears.
    3. In the Windows Startup Menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode, then press the ENTER key.

  2. On your screen, locate and click the Start button. From the Start menu, point to Settings, then click Control Panel. In Control Panel, double-click the Display icon.
  3. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab.

    • In Windows 95A:

      1. On the Settings tab, click Change Display Type.
      2. In the Change Display Type dialog box, next to Display Adapter, click Change.
      3. In the lower-left corner of the Select Device dialog box, click Show All Devices.
      4. In the Select Device dialog box, in the Manufacturers list, click (Standard display types). In the Models list, click Standard Display Adapter (VGA), then click OK.
      5. In the Change Display Type dialog box, click Close.
      6. In the Display Properties dialog box, click Close.
      7. When prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.

    • In Windows 95B:

      1. On the Settings tab, click Advanced Properties.
      2. In the Advanced Display Properties dialog box, click Change.
      3. In the lower-left corner of the Select Device dialog box, click Show All Devices.
      4. In the Select Device dialog box, in the Manufacturers list, click (Standard display types). In the Models list, click Standard Display Adapter (VGA), then click OK.
      5. In the Advanced Display Properties dialog box, click Close.
      6. In the Display Properties dialog box, click Close.
      7. When prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.
      8. Allow the computer to start Windows normally.

    • In Windows 98:

      1. On the Settings tab, click Advanced.
      2. In the dialog box that appears, click the Adapter tab.
      3. On the Adapter tab, click Change.
      4. In the Update Device Driver Wizard dialog box, click Next.
      5. In the next dialog box, click Next to allow the Wizard to search for updated drivers.
      6. In the next dialog box, click Display to see a list of all drivers in a specific location, then click Next.
      7. In the lower-left corner of the next dialog box, click Show All Hardware. In the Manufacturers list, click (Standard display types). In the Models list, click Standard Display Adapter (VGA), then click Next.
      8. In the next two dialog boxes, click Next.
      9. In the Update Device Driver Wizard dialog box, click Finish.
      10. In the next dialog box, click Close.
      11. In the Display Properties dialog box, click Close.
      12. When prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.
      13. Allow the computer to start Windows normally.

If the problem disappears, then the problem is either the video driver or the hardware acceleration on the video card itself.

It may be necessary to call your computer manufacturer for technical support with your current video driver. Computer manufacturers sometimes have the correct video drivers at their web sites. They usually have instructions on how to install the new drivers as well.

This information and these links are provided to assist you with your computer. If you do not feel competent installing new video driver software, then have someone who you feel is competent download and install the correct video driver. WISCO Computing will not be responsible for incorrect driver installations on your computer and can not provide technical support for video driver software installation.

ATI Rage Pro LT

If you have this video card, download and install the latest drivers. (The most recent video driver for this card was posted 05-28-2000.)

Graphics Blaster RIVA TNT

If you have this video card, download and install the latest drivers and BIOS from Creative. (See: RIVA TNT updates for Windows 98.) (The most recent video driver for this card was posted 07-13-2000.)

nVidia RIVA TNT

If you have this video card, download and install the latest drivers. (The most recent video driver for this card was posted 06-01-2000.)

This information and these links are only provided to assist you with your computer. If you do not feel competent installing new video driver software or changing the control panel settings, then have someone who you feel is competent download and install the correct video driver. WISCO Computing will not be responsible for incorrect driver installations on your computer and can not provide technical support for video driver software installation.