Need Help finding a Graphics Card match!

[confusion-say:]

Am trying to revive an old eData and on the reinstall of the OS (the infamous Win98SE) I reinstalled everything. All's fine, EXCEPT a culprit Matrox G400 graphics drivers/card. Every single driver available from Matrox causes major VxD errors and its a real fight to get Win back to uninstall them - but have made it through all the trial and errors to the very last driver. (Yes, and that last one was a doozy.) I'm a little frustrated that the PowerDesk is not an omittable option and figured I might as well go with a different graphics card. Am just looking to get a decent display and graphics capability, nothing fancy for gaming or anything. I've not the experience I need to match up a proper graphics card, needing an AGP, not PCI.

The machine is a GenuineIntel x86 Family 6 Model 8 Stepping 3, 650 MHz, 128 RAM (expandable), Pentium III. It has an ASUS p3v133 motherboard with VIA 82C691 rev.68 chipset, which I think is not P3V's original Apollo Pro 133 chipset from what I can tell. The Super I/O Chip is Winbond 83977EF. The BIOS is an Award Modular BIOS v6.0, ID: 03/13/2000, VT693A-596B-P3V133 with a BIOS ROM size 256K and the BIOS Signon being ASUS P3V133 ACPI BIOS rev. 1002

I did notice on the Matrox card that after the FCC numbers there is a variation: after the G4+ M4 are the numbers A16DG where I saw someone else had an A32DG. ~ Please don't tell me I've been trying to install a FAT16 compliant device onto a FAT32 partition. (Ok, tell me, if you have to.) It's the only other thing I can guess might be wrong other than flashing the BIOS back to the G400 default settings - which I REALLY don't want to have to get into if I don't have to, especially if I'm going to change cards and it'll make a difference in a bad way. I'm wondering if maybe something by Visipro, RIVA might work.

I'm more willing at this point to just get another card and quit messing with the thing - but don't have the wisdom on how to match it up best other than it's looks and the few specs on the box - which Radeon would have installed upside down and backwards - the serial connection INSIDE the machine. (Please don't laugh at me - at least I had the sense to know it needs to go back to the store.)

If anybody can shine a little light on my fumbling around in the dark, I sure would appreciate it. ~ Thanks ~

[glc]

A16DG means it has 16mb video ram - the A32DG card has 32mb video ram. It's too bad you can't get the G400 working right - that's a very decent general use (no gaming) card.

Before you give up on the Matrox, make sure you have installed the VIA chipset drivers. With the Apollo Pro 133 and 98SE, here's the best version:

http://www.viaarena.com/downloads/dr..._4in1_443v.zip

If you do need a new card, any ATI Radeon 7xxx series would be a good match for that motherboard. Here's an example:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-437&depa=0

[confusion-say:]

Originally Posted by glc A16DG means it has 16mb video ram - the A32DG card has 32mb video ram. It's too bad you can't get the G400 working right - that's a very decent general use (no gaming) card. Before you give up on the Matrox, make sure you have installed the VIA chipset drivers. With the Apollo Pro 133 and 98SE, here's the best version: http://www.viaarena.com/downloads/dr..._4in1_443v.zip If you do need a new card, any ATI Radeon 7xxx series would be a good match for that motherboard. Here's an example: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-437&depa=0

============================================

Dear glc:

Thank you SOOOO much for your help! I installed the drivers you said and the machine went up great with no problems! It would have probably taken me forever to figure it out...and taught me something new, quick. I think I'll ask them to add a smiley with wings just for you!