A Computer Question:

[shadu]

When I try to go on line, my
screen says something like
'incompatible refresh rate.'
Then the screen becomes unreadable
and the machine crashes. Lightning might have hit it.
The machine is fine until I try to go on line.
What does it all mean?

[Liberal Veteran]

1. Reinstall your video card driver....

That's what it sounds like is going on.

[shadu]

2. How do I figure out what video card driver I need?

[Endangered Specie]

3. You need to determine what kind of card you have

then go to the website of the manufacturer and look around for a downloads/drivers section and follow the instructions.

[shadu]

6. How do I do that?

?

[Liberal Veteran]

5. Are you on Windows XP and when did this start happening?

There may be an easy fix, but I need more info.

[shadu]

7. windows 98

[Liberal Veteran]

9. Makes it little more difficult....but not much.

Right click on My Computer, choose Properties. Click the Device Manager tab and click on the plus sign beside display adapters.

It should tell you what kind of Video Card you have there.

[shadu]

10. This will take a minute

I am working on an ancient laptop.
Back in a minute.

[shadu]

11. wave device for modem creative

[Liberal Veteran]

12. That's for your modem. (it may be listed as video adapter).

Please check again.

[shadu]

13. ok

[shadu]

14. VIA Tech VT8361/VT8601 Graphics Controller

[Liberal Veteran]

18. One more thing....what's the Make and Model of your laptop?

With those pieces of info, I should be able to get you a link to download a new driver.

[shadu]

23. laptop is fine; desk top is messed up; custom builder

not a name brand machine

[Liberal Veteran]

25. Hmmm....I just went looking for a driver and couldn't find one.

You might try this though.

Simply right click on the VIA Tech VT8361/VT8601 Graphics Controller in the list and choose uninstall.

Then it should prompt you to reboot.

The driver should reinstall itself on reboot.

Before doing that though, try right clicking on you desktop, choose properties, then click the settings tab, click advanced settings, click monitor (may be listed as adapter tab) and see if the refresh rate is set to more than 60Hz. If it is, click on the arrow and lower it to 60.

[shadu]

29. do you think the problem could be the modem

since it only happens when I try dialing up?

[shadu]

30. I tried the 60 HZsetting and it is working so far

I hope that fixes it for good.
Thank You

[notadmblnd]

15. there might also be a yellow exclaimation point

next to this device. That would indicate a problem with it.

[shadu]

17. i have one of those by the Sound Blaster

listed under sound, video and game controllers.
I believe that has been that way for about three months.
I have had no sound for about three months.

[notadmblnd]

20. If you're happy with the way your pc is running... leave it alone

nt

[shadu]

27. i cannot get on line

screen says something like'incompatible refresh rate'
and crashes

[amerikat]

4. is your computer a brand name like Dell or Gateway?

[shadu]

8. just as bad

i think the video card might be motherboard integrated

[ConsAreLiars]

16. Right click on the desktop

to bring up a menu.
Choose properties, and bring up "Display properties."
Click the "Settings" tab, then the "advanced" button on that page.
Then click the "adapter" tab.

At the bottom you can select "refresh rate."
If it is not set at "optimal" choose that, if that doesn't work try the lowest setting, probably 60Hz.

If that doesn't work you may have failing hardware, like a power supply being inadequate.

[notadmblnd]

19. you say you laptop is ok till you open your browser?

if you are running microsoft internet explorer, it is probably corrupt. you can run repair on the program and that should clear it up. Go to

control panel
add/remove software
click on msie#.# (# is the version number of internet explorer you are running)
click on remove

When the window opens it will give you three options

deinstall
repair
and I can't remember the other one.

select repair and click ok.

when it's done reboot and try again.

[shadu]

21. it is ok until I try logging on to the Internet

my laptop (the machine I am using now) is fine.
my desktop is the machine with the problem

[notadmblnd]

22. is your desktop distorted/funny

when your pc is up? like the color and settings are screwed up?

[shadu]

24. picture only becomes distorted when i try to go online

and then the machine crashes

[notadmblnd]

26. if you are on dial up, it is probably your modem.

if you are on cable or dsl, call your service provider and they will be able to diagnose your problem remotely. If it is your modem you might have to replace it. I don't think it is your video card. If that went, your pc would have come up on the default monitor and your desktop would be distorted. I hope this helps.

[shadu]

28. i think you may be correct

i shall repace the modem and see what happens

[shadu]

31. thanks for the great advice

[notadmblnd]

32. you're welcome

glad I could help.