Via Display Adapter Hell

**rdunajewski** · 02-07-2006, 09:07 PM

I bought my VIA Epia motherboard along with the case off ebay, so I don't have any original CDs or manuals. Now, whenever I try to install the correct display drivers, I get errors that the driver is for an older version of Windows (even though its for XP and I know it's the correct version). Then, I get like 4 colors out of the default VGA adapter and all kinds of wacky display problems. Once I uninstall the driver, and use Windows' default one, the colors come back fine and everything works (except.. I want 800 x 480 output, which the default driver won't do.) I've used varioud system utilities to ensure I have the right driver for my chipset/adapter.. and updated the chipset drivers as well. Has anyone had similar problems or have a better driver version I could try for the CLE266 adapter?

Also, do I have other options.. like a generic driver which supports 800 x 480? I don't even know if such a thing exists, but since Microsoft has their own generic driver, shouldn't a third-party have the same?

I appreciate the help from anyone who can. I've tried everything that I know how, from installing/uninstalling drivers, chipset adapters, etc etc. Only driver that loads is the CLE266 which is what SiSoft Sandra reports as the adapter. But when it loads, as I've said, I get the error that it's a bad version and the colors get hosed up.

Thanks!!

**Rundell** · 02-07-2006, 09:11 PM

what VIA Board do you have??

**rdunajewski** · 02-07-2006, 10:26 PM

It's the VIA Epia M1000. Sorry for leaving that out, I was in a rush to post it because I had to go somewhere. It may just be the release of the driver, it's from the VIA driver site (www.viaarena.com) and is of the version: 16.94.44.45_Rotation

Chipset driver works fine, but the display adapter never works regardless of whether or not the chipset is installed before the display drivers.

Thanks again!

**Rundell** · 02-07-2006, 10:39 PM

I went to VIAs specs page for your motherboard here is the drivers list:
http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/ma.../downloads.jsp

It lists an older video driver: Version 16.94.39.14

But after it says:
*[Note] Please update this driver with above latest BIOS v.116* VGA Driver for Windows 2000/XP

So you may want to check to see if you need to update your BIOS, so you can use the video driver I listed or the newer one you found.

**rdunajewski** · 02-08-2006, 12:05 AM

I didn't notice that page on their main site.. thanks for the link. I've been trying to flash the BIOS for the past hour or so.. When I use a bootable floppy on a USB floppy drive, I load the utility and it asks me if I want to backup the current BIOS. So I hit 'Y' and punch in the backup name I want (such as 'backupbios.bin'). I hit enter and I get the error: "Disk not ready. Retry (Y/N)?" I hit Y and nothing happens. It's as if the floppy drive no longer exists. The only way I can do anything is to reboot and boot off the floppy again. Same issue.. floppy drive stops responding.

Okay, so then I tried making a bootable CD. I boot into DOS then try to flash the BIOS from off the hard drive. The utility says "Insufficient memory". This is as far as I've gotten so far. My options are limited for booting, since a USB floppy won't work, a CD won't work. Any way I can boot off a USB flash drive.. perhaps calling it a USB-HDD in the BIOS boot list? I've never tried that, if it's even supported on this board.

Thanks again for the help, I'm at least working in the right direction, I believe.

**Rundell** · 02-08-2006, 10:34 AM

Not sure what to tell you, other then make sure you don't have copy protect turned on the floppy disk.

**Rundell** · 02-08-2006, 10:45 AM

I just noticed it can have a regular floppy connected to the motherboard. Maybe that will be the best bet.

**rdunajewski** · 02-09-2006, 09:48 PM

The other day I flashed the BIOS to 1.16.. which I now discovered causes HUGE compatability conflicts with mostly RAM. Now it won't boot at all, and there's no video output. It's been a year since 1.16 was released and there's no offical 'fix' for the problems other than to clear the CMOS. I tried that, and still no boot. As a precaution I ordered a backup BIOS chip from badflash.com with 1.13 on it (it's actually a hacked version that enables the new video settings but without the harmful new code in 1.16 -- many people have been able to use that). While I wait for that to come in I'll continue to mess around with it. The memory that's in it should work with the new update, but for one reason or another.. it isn't. With some luck I can use 1.16 or at very least I can put the new chip in with the hacked 1.13 to get the features I need. Ever have this problem? Thanks again.. hopefully I can get the bastard to start breathing again..