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Need some Win XP install help
 

Trying to do a clean install of Win XP on a machine that previously had it.

Everything looks normal, but then it only installs with 4 bit graphics and can't go to the display settings and change it.

It was fine before and all of the BIOS screens are displayed in full-color.
What do you suppose is up?

You need the proper driver for your display/graphics card.

Yep, it seems you forgot to install your drivers. :)

It's an easy fix.

So to get it working do I just go into "My Computer" and find what is in there and then go out to the web, find it, download it, and install it?

Funny thing is that the display looks almost normal on the bios screens and where it says "Gateway" when going through the boot sequence

The thing has a really creepy Commodore 64 look to it.

You can either download the drivers from the web or if you have an install disc use that.

You need to know what graphics card you have.. or if you have on board graphics.. then usually you'll have a disc with all your drivers on it somewhere.

Right click on computer, go to properties, then select your device manager.

You'll see your devices there.. and which ones you need drivers for.

You need to update your display adapter drivers.

First of all your problem is using a Gateway computer ;) Hehe...

Anyways, just go to google, type in "Drivers for Gateway model#"

Or go to Gateway's site and go to the support and you should be able to get drivers there.

If you need any help let me know!

Thanks philly387 and of course aspkin I'll give it a try tomorrow, on the road today.

And Philly, the computer was given to me by a friend who I helped set up his new system, just want to make sure all of the evidence is gone before it goes to another friend :p

Ah good man! Good to see you are helping friends out :)

download ubuntu
 

do yourself a favor and go download Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu:thumb:

Its FREE OPEN SOURCE linux distro runs smooth like a mac only faster - no virus - no crashes - no headaches

perfect for web browsing and word processing

comes with firefox and openoffice installed

just what you need to get your old PC running faster than she ever has before!:heh:

you can burn ubuntu to a CD and run straight from the CD to double check the auto detect on drivers before you install - I have installed it on 2 laptops and one PC with out a issue

I got Ubuntu on bootable USB. The best of both worlds. And it actually is pretty cool, for what it is. Useful but not the newest end-all be-all. If DFB can use that and still be able to conduct all desired activities, it's really a decent choice.

Anyhow, to DFB, the reason your BIOS screens look fine is because those are always made using shades that can be perfectly represented in 4 color base VGA mode.

If you are lucky and the graphics is by ATI or nVidia, each of those companies has one universal driver for ALL their modern products. Might not be the proprietary driver for oh say the mobile chipset version, but you'd never be able to tell. So, I'm crossing my fingers for you.