Cannot restore screen size

legend01 · 08-26-2004, 11:18 AM

I had a problem with my Dell Inspiron 1100 & had to reinstall the software. Since then, the screen is only taking up the center of the monitor & has a black border around it. The screen resolution is defaulted at 640x480 & it will not let me change it. Someone please help me as it is reallt annoying me.
Thanks

cyclic · 08-27-2004, 09:12 AM

You need to install the correct graphics driver for your card\chip, Dell will have a driver downloadable for that model on their website, get all the other drivers whilst your there, chipset, sound,LAN or whatever there is, you need all of them.

elf · 08-27-2004, 09:16 AM

if you just want to get rid of the black bar around the outside all you need to do is use the menu on the monitor (usually a few buttons on front of monitor) and stretch the screen...that way it at least looks a little bigger

legend01 · 08-27-2004, 10:57 AM

In response to 'Cyclic' - please excuse my ignorance but why would I need to get these downloads now since it was fine before & i had no downloads then???

Also, how do I know which downloads I need to get??

Many Thanks*

elf · 08-27-2004, 11:01 AM

well if you had to reinstall the software, it may have messed up your drivers.

Go to your device manager (if you don't know how to get here ask and we'll tell you) and see if there are any devices with a ! (yellow exclamation mark)

**idtent** · 08-27-2004, 11:06 AM

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx

Go to the link above, find the service tag on your dell and enter the number. It will have links to the software drivers to make your video and everything else work.

WHen you reloaded the operating system (windows) not all of the correct drivers are in Windows. Therefore you must load the software from the manufacture of each device for it to work correctly.

If you have more questions, one of the persons here who are helping or myself would be happy to eleborate.

legend01 · 08-27-2004, 11:30 AM

Thanks everybody for your help. In the Device Manager, I have 3 items that have an ! beside them - Ethernet Controller, USB Controller & Video Controller. However the ! is placed over a ? - does this mean I need to get the downloads for these 3??

Cheers*

**idtent** · 08-27-2004, 12:32 PM

Yes, that is exactly what the question marks mean. Just use the link I provided, put in your service tag number.

AS long as the ethernet was built in, or included with original purchase, there will be a driver for it. If you load it first, then you can get on the internet and download the other drivers with that computer. This will save transferring. Unless you want to download all of them at once and burn them to cd and keep them in case this happens again.

08-26-2004, 11:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
legend01 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Cannot restore screen size I had a problem with my Dell Inspiron 1100 & had to reinstall the software. Since then, the screen is only taking up the center of the monitor & has a black border around it. The screen resolution is defaulted at 640x480 & it will not let me change it. Someone please help me as it is reallt annoying me. Thanks

08-27-2004, 09:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
elf Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN or Austin, TX depending Posts: 7,038 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 and Windows 7 My System	if you just want to get rid of the black bar around the outside all you need to do is use the menu on the monitor (usually a few buttons on front of monitor) and stretch the screen...that way it at least looks a little bigger __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! I do not subscribe to threads, so if I stop replying, PM me with a link to your thread so I can find it again.

08-27-2004, 11:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
elf Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN or Austin, TX depending Posts: 7,038 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 and Windows 7 My System	well if you had to reinstall the software, it may have messed up your drivers. Go to your device manager (if you don't know how to get here ask and we'll tell you) and see if there are any devices with a ! (yellow exclamation mark) __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! I do not subscribe to threads, so if I stop replying, PM me with a link to your thread so I can find it again.

08-27-2004, 11:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
idtent ID10T Circuit replacement Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,015 OS: Windows 7, Vista, XP Home, Pro, Win2k, 98 SE	http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx Go to the link above, find the service tag on your dell and enter the number. It will have links to the software drivers to make your video and everything else work. WHen you reloaded the operating system (windows) not all of the correct drivers are in Windows. Therefore you must load the software from the manufacture of each device for it to work correctly. If you have more questions, one of the persons here who are helping or myself would be happy to eleborate. __________________ PICNIC (Problem In Chair Not In Computer) "Looks like you've been missing a lot of work lately. " "Well, I wouldn't exactly say I've been missing it, Bob. " Office Space

08-27-2004, 12:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
idtent ID10T Circuit replacement Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,015 OS: Windows 7, Vista, XP Home, Pro, Win2k, 98 SE	Yes, that is exactly what the question marks mean. Just use the link I provided, put in your service tag number. AS long as the ethernet was built in, or included with original purchase, there will be a driver for it. If you load it first, then you can get on the internet and download the other drivers with that computer. This will save transferring. Unless you want to download all of them at once and burn them to cd and keep them in case this happens again. __________________ PICNIC (Problem In Chair Not In Computer) "Looks like you've been missing a lot of work lately. " "Well, I wouldn't exactly say I've been missing it, Bob. " Office Space

08-27-2004, 09:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
cyclic Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chester Posts: 193 OS: XP PRO	You need to install the correct graphics driver for your card\chip, Dell will have a driver downloadable for that model on their website, get all the other drivers whilst your there, chipset, sound,LAN or whatever there is, you need all of them.

08-27-2004, 10:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
legend01 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 3 OS: XP	In response to 'Cyclic' - please excuse my ignorance but why would I need to get these downloads now since it was fine before & i had no downloads then??? Also, how do I know which downloads I need to get?? Many Thanks*

08-27-2004, 11:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
legend01 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Thanks everybody for your help. In the Device Manager, I have 3 items that have an ! beside them - Ethernet Controller, USB Controller & Video Controller. However the ! is placed over a ? - does this mean I need to get the downloads for these 3?? Cheers*