Windows 3.0!

Here's something unusual.

On a very old machine I've still got Windows 3.0 installed (it dates back to around 1992). I rarely use the machine, but there are some old files, etc. on it which are still useful. When I was using it the other day, the Windows Program Manager screen was very "faded ". Using write or any other applications, and the same effect was there. It's as if the picture on the screen is fading away & fuzzy, that's the best way I can describe it.

I'm sure it can't be a monitor problem as DOS applications look & work fine, with clear, bright colours as normal. The screensaver is also OK.

I did think about re-installing the OS but the floppy drive is knackered & can't be replaced (v.old Amstrad 286 box with no access to screws, rivets, etc). This is also the reason why I haven't transferred the files on the 286 to my up-to-date PC. In any case, it'd be a problem getting hold of a set of floppies with Win 3 on (mine are old & unusable).

Any ideas about this "fading" problem? The machine is usable but very hard on the eyes. Functions aren't affected, just the way it looks on the screen.

I know you lot are pretty clever & I promise this isn't a wind-up.
Please don't post "just junk it" as I'm still fond of the old thing; it's served me well over the years.

Any ideas?

Martin

 

Thanks, Steve. I've tried adjusting what I can on the settings but without luck. It did occur to me to try a different monitor (the Amstrad 286 is using a CGA one; my other PC has an SVGA monitor) but I cannot, of course, alter the monitor settings in Windows 3.0 to say "Monitor type SVGA" because of the floopy drive problem I mentioned in my original post.

If you (or anyone else) have any other ideas then of course I'd be grateful.

Cheers.

 

A Google search for Amstrad 286 found the following.

PC 1640, PC 1512, PC 2086, PC 2286, PC 2386, PC 3286,
CPC 464, CPC 6128, ALT 286, ALT386SX, PC 3086,
PC 386SX PC 3286, PC 4386SX, PC 5086, PC 5286,
PC 6486SX, PC 7286, 7386SX, PC7486, PCW 10, PCW 8512,
PCW 9256, PCW 9512, PCW 9512+, ALT 386SX, ALT 286,
PPC 640, PPC512, NC100, NC200, PDA 600
====================================================
SD Micro Systems Tel: 0906 294 7575
Edcom Tel: 0906 294 7575
Bemish Business Machines Tel: 020 8785 3208
Computer Repair Centre Tel: 020 8556 5331
====================================================
Perhaps you could try the above phone numbers, or look into
using an alternate floppy (use a 3.5" drive instead of 5.25 ")
if the BIOS will support it. Also if you get this far, try to
re-install your video adapter drivers or replace your video
adapter, because I don't think you have a monitor problem.

HTH.

 

Thanks. It's a PC 1512 so one of the phone numbers you've given may be useful. I'm pretty sure it's not a monitor problem as well, but you've given me an idea.

Perhaps I can buy a cheap external 3.5" FDD and see if that works. Then, of course, I'll just have to track down a copy of Win 3.0 on floppies which I'm sure I'll find somewhere on the net.

Cheers.