Dell 466/ME and S3 Driver Display Problems

 Last reviewed: May 13, 1997
Article ID: Q107731
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

The Dell 466/ME is equipped with the S3 graphics chip set. If you are using Phoenix 80486 ROM BIOS Plus version 1.00A08 and an S3 driver independent of resolution or refresh rate, you may experience a partial or total black screen at WinLogon.

CAUSE

This problem is caused by the BIOS version. Later versions do not exhibit the problem.

RESOLUTION

To avoid this problem, obtain a new BIOS or video adapter or use the Standard VGA driver. If you are able to log in, resizing and moving windows repaints the screen and may provide an adequate display for performing system setting changes. If Windows NT is installed on a FAT file system, another possible workaround is to boot into MS-DOS and delete %SYSTEMROOT%\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\S3.SYS so that your system defaults to VGA.

The product included here is manufactured by Dell Computer Corporation, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords : kbhw nthw
Version : 3.1
Platform : WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: May 13, 1997
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