Win 98 Laptop problems 2

[seanferd]

I have a Sony Vaio laptop model PCG-F270. I think it's running at 333Mhz 64mB ram. Anyway I got this second hand and don't have any of the original software for it. It was running Win 2000 when I got it but I reformatted and put Win 98 on it. Under Win 2000 it was running fine, but when 98 was put on it the resolution will not exceed 640x480 and the color choices are 2 or 16 so it looks really bad. Also 98 won't recognize the ethernet card (PCMCIA) despite my best efforts even with the 98 cd in the drive and I can't find drivers anywhere. Any help would be appreciated!
--Seanferd

 

[ski]

The resolution problem is caused by not having the correct drivers installed for the video card/adapter.
You may be able to find the drivers at the Sony site.

You may also be able to find the ethernet card drivers either at the Sony site, or at the card manuf's site.

 

[mws5872]

I agree with ski sony is pretty good about drivers, if you have problems just let us know about it. You should be able to enter your model number laptop and get all the drivers for it.

 

[seanferd]

OK I went to Sony's web site yesterday and I dloaded a bunch of drivers. One of which was actually a display driver, but the problem now is that the drivers don't recognize that the laptop is actually a Vaio b/c I don't have the original cds I guess, and it won't let them install. They all throw an error and then bring up help about how these drivers are only for this model blah blah.. Any ideas?

 

[ski]

Did you and install this video driver using the instructions at the bottom of the page:

http://ciscdb.sel.sony.com/perl/swu-download.pl?template=EN&upd_id=795&os_id=2,3&mdl=PCGF270

Also, if you tried this Registry update for the PCMCIA card and it did not work, then check the card manuf's site for a driver:

http://ciscdb.sel.sony.com/perl/swu-download.pl?template=EN&upd_id=799&os_id=2,3&mdl=PCGF270

 

[TekTippy4U]

As ski states - it's very important to follow the removal and install procedures for correct driver installation - don't know if you have/need the correct mobo chipset drivers installed correctly (this must be done first before Video Card drivers), especially if using integrated graphics(the drivers may be part of a system set)....also got DirectX up to date? (load new DX after Mobo and Video drivers).
Start > Run Dxdiag for more dx info
DirectX
Also visit here for Win98 system /critical updates

http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/corporate.asp

Win98SE?

http://exuberant.ms11.net/98sesp.html

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

 

[seanferd]

Again, thanks for your help. Ski, yes I tried both of those files and they both throw errors. The first file NMGC5.EXE's error says unable to obtain system information and terminates the install, and the second file says this is not a Vaio or does not have the factory Sony software installed. As for the DirectX, the download is too big to transfer on a floppy and I still can't get the network card working. I have tried the HP/Compaq support page but it always returns 0 results. Compaq iPaq 10/100 Ethernet PC Card HNE-300 P/N: 243653-001. I also have tried DriverGuide.com and I can't find anything that works. And TekTippy4U I have no idea what you said. LOL sorry but I'm not much for hardware. Thanks again.

 

[seanferd]

OK guys, I finally got the NIC to work and I have it networked with this computer and I can transfer files back and forth. I downloaded almost all of the files from the Win98 update site and transferred them to the laptop, the problem now is that when you try to install them you have to be on the internet for some reason. I have roadrunner and I am using a Kingston soho hub. Getting these updates to work isn't worth paying TWC any more than I already am. Is there some way to use Internet Connection Sharing or would I have to just buck up and pay? Oh ya I downloaded the redistributable of DirectX 9 and installed it but my display is still dumpy and I don't have any more options in the settings. Such a pain in the butt......

 

[TekTippy4U]

seanferd;
can't guarantee this will all work out, but try this;

http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/13/9/13-9-191.shtml

for updates
and yes you can use ICS.....you have win98 SE?
try this site too;

http://www.techspot.com/tweaks/updates/

have you tried this for Video drivers;

http://www.video-drivers.com/drivers/33/33083.htm

what's the dealio with your BIOS info
ever set it to defaults?

Did 98 install go easy?
from CDROM?


TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

 

[ski]

If you have the same problem with TekTippy's video card driver, then it's possible that the previous owner removed the stock NeoMagic MagicMedia 256AV video card, and installed a different card.
To check which video card is installed, d/l Everest from the below site. If a different card is installed, then check that card manuf's site for drivers.

http://www.lavalys.com/products/download.php?pid=1&lang=en&pageid=3

 

[seanferd]

Thank you both! The display looks like it should finally! The only other thing I would need help with is ICS. But I should probably start that in another post. Thank you both again!