Full screen crash

Problem: When I go to full-screen mode, for example dos prompt, but more annoying, dos-based games, my system crashes and leaves me with the option to reset or to throw the pc out of the window.

Situation: I formatted my pc about six months ago because I made a little mess of it installing an ActiveX version that was slightly too complicated for my pc. Since I have fully re-installed everything and everything but the above works fine.

System: I work with Windows95, and use a Trident 3DImage 9750 graphic card (AGP). Now I already noticed that the interrupt was the same as my DC10 PAL/SECAM video-card, which was in the first PCI-slot (and by the way hasn't been working since the rebuild either). So I re-organized my PCI-cards, leaving the top one free, but it hasn't helped so far. Also I had already downloaded the latest drivers (w98-9x5.exe) from Trident and since have numerous times checked if it was the correct one.

I still suspect the problem to be in the graphic card, but I have tried everything the last six months and nothing has worked. I now have been playing with Quake editing again and would really like to be able to check some stuff before waisting many days on compiling my creations, only to find out my elevators are crooked.

I hope anyone has heard of this problem and can give me some help or suggestions. Thanks to all those who are taking the time helping others.

Erwin

 

Erwin
Have you tried setting your Graphics Accelerator somewhat lower?

 

Yep, just did again and spent another wasted minute enjoying the beauty of ScanDisk (it should really stop bugging me if no apps were opened at the time of the crash). The problem is very mysterious indeed.

Erwin

 

I'm a little confused because you talk of an AGP card and a Video card. Without researching both I'd say your problem could be Windows (or DOS) confusing drivers, I've had this happen countless times.
You could try:
Removing both sets of drivers, in Device Manager and if there are any in Add/Remove, then cold boot and let Windows detect them and put in the latest drivers.

See what happens if you set "disable" in device manager for the video card.

Remove drivers and reinstall Windows .....or you guessed it...clean install.

Trouble might be that the two cards won't coexist or the drivers will always clash.
Note: If I've misread and you are not trying to run both cards, it would still be worth trying to remove the drivers and load them again.

Luck
Matt

 

Well, I just un-installed my video capture software and removed both that and the graphic card from the device manager. Then I removed the capture card and rebooted. I re-installed the drivers to the Trident AGP card, but on starting MsDos it was back to the good old ScanDisk.

Anyway, when long ago I first put the Pinacle DC10 card in the whole thing did work untill the big format session.

Thanks for helping me trying to figure this one out, but the struggle continues.

All suggestions are welcome!

 

I am assuming that we are talking of Win98 FE or SE. ME and later version may be different.

1--( if required ) did you re-install any Motherboard drivers ? AGP may not work properly ( if at all ) if that is not taken.

2--When you first installed ( or re-installed ) the Video card, did you install it FIRST as a Standard VGA PCI/AGP 640x480 using the Default Windows Drivers ? And restart Windows a few times making at least one a complete power off restart.

3--There is a * possibility * that the lastest and greatest drivers are not the correct ones for YOUR system.

If item two was not done. ( and even if it was ) Boot to the safe mode. Use Explorer and work your way to the C:\windows\inf and C:\Windows\inf\other folders and delete any and all references to your video card. And I would say the Capture card too.

Next run regedit and do a find for references to your card and DELTETE them.

Next go to the Device manager and remove any and all display adapters.

Shut the machine down ( power off ) let it set for app 30 seconds and then restart Windows in the noraml mode and install the card as a Standard VGA setup. Restart Windows a couple of times then have a go at updating the Video drivers.

I know this seems like a lot of work ( IT IS ) but sometimes it must be done after several FAILED attempts to install Video drivers.

Then if all is well do what is needed for the capture cards. ( I know nuttin from nohow bout them

BillyBob

 

Another morning wasted, but one little additional piece of information.

I spent the afternoon removing all PCI cards. I removed all registry entries concerning Trident, Pinnacle, Soundblaster and modem entries. Then I removed all cards from the device manager and shut the pc down.

On restarting I installed the 'Standard PCI graphic adapter (VGA)' and tried immediately what MsDos would say of that. And to my surprise I got a full-screen dos display. So far so good, so I went a step further. I installed the original drivers for the Trident graphic card and hopefully rebooted.

But on retyring MsDos the system crashed again. Even to the point that when I changed the screen settings from 640x480 to 800x600 it crashed. Now I don't feel much for using the standard VGA drivers because that leaves me with 16 colors and 640x480 screen settings. However this tells me (or us) that it isn't a fysical hardware failure, but has something to do with the drivers. So I stried it again, via the Standard VGA to the latest Trident drivers, but no luck there.

So I reinstalled the modem card and on typing my first reply (this is the second time I type this) the stoopid thing crashed again and I played some football with it (it never knew it could fly). I hoop this addition gives someone a brainwave that can help me.

About the re-installing of driver to my motherboard I am slightly uncertain about that. I looked at the drivers, but I have not got a clue to what specific drivers I should use. It currently uses standard drivers but I don't know the manufacturer or the type of the thing and there ain't anything in my original supplied software.

Thanks for listening and keep the suggestions coming!

Erwin

 

I think BillyBob is headed in the right direction re: latest and greatest. I did a quick check on the Trident page and found that your video card is 1X AGP and was originally designed for DirectX 5.0 - you may have a tough go of fixing your problem if you've recently installed DX 7.0, 7.0a, 8.0 or 8.1 - maybe even 6.0

I don't know what kind of MB you have or what kind of settings and adjustments you can make in your Bios, but it may be smart to try another video card that's at least 2x AGP - again, this depends on your MB.

You should be able to find a much better video card with considerably more memory (you have 8mb shared max) for under $15-20 and although your wallet might waffle, you can get a 2x/4x card with 32mb of sdram and an Nvidia chip for $24 or less if you are a good shopper.