Hello,
 
 most olders Compaq use Matrox graphix.
 Capable of min 16 bit colors.
 Firts pull out the graphic card and see of it an Matrox is.
 All drivers for matrox you find on their site.
 Anyway you probably better of installing Windows 2000 on those pc's, even an Celeron 300 with 128 SDram runs without a problem.
 Why not try Linux : Ubuntu 6 or Fedoro core 5 or Morphix.
 They are excellent for the internet.
 And they wil find al the hardware on those older computers.
 
 All the best,
 Roger.
    
 -----Original Message-----
 From: [log in to unmask]
 To: [log in to unmask]
 Sent: Mon, 4 Dec 2006 3:18 PM
 Subject: [PCBUILD] win 98SE 16 colors?
 
  Hey Y'all!
 In my attempt to get a rebuild going for a friend to connect to the  
internet, I have been using parts from 3 compaq computers. I aquired a new  
unopened 
official win 98 SE disc and loaded it to my first build which was the  newer 
of the 3 machines (model 5bw251) which is 6 years old, with the WD 15 gig  HD 
from one of the others. 
 
The loading process went without a hitch and windows started up fine.  
However, the graphics settings only had a max of 16 colors available and the  
modem 
was not found. So I transfered the HD to the next oldest machine (5bw120)  and 
did a fresh re-install of the os. Just as windows was starting, it  would 
re-boot and upon inspection I found a few capacitors had "domed" tops with  a 
bit 
of rust so I gave up on that one and moved HD to the oldest one (unknown  
model#). Once again after fresh install, same problems with graphics and  modem.
 
 I went to DriverGuide.com and downloaded their hardware/driver  checker but 
when I tried to use it I got an error message saying It was either  corrupted 
during download or was the wrong "version". I pulled up compaq driver  page 
and the drivers listed for the newest machine was the same as the one  already 
loaded.
 
 I started out computing on Win ME and went directly to XP so I'm  mostly 
unfamiliar with 98. So I ask, surely it's capable of more than 16  colors?! And 
can you give me any clues why neither machines modems could  be found even 
though in control panel/modem, it says device is working  properly? ( I was 
attempting set-up with AOL ver.4.0 which came on the 98SE  disc)
 
 If it matters, I'm using a Sony SDM-S73 lcd monitor.
 
 Feels like I'm fightin' a losing battle!!!
 
   -PHIL-

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