# Monitor resolution stuck at 640 x 480 **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 30, 2005, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monitor-resolution-stuck-at-640-x-480/287445 "2005-01-30T17:19:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monitor-resolution-stuck-at-640-x-480/287445/1 "2005-01-30T17:19:53Z")
My monitor’s resolution is supposed to be 1024 x 768. I’m using Windows 98. The trouble started when I was trying to defragment the HD. Defragmentation restarted many times, usually only getting to 10%. After I reset the screensaver and power management to kick in at 60 minutes instead of 20 minutes, defrag reached 22% before restarting at 0%. I’ve tried **many** times to change the resolution back to where it belongs, using Start-\>settings-\>control panel-\>display-\>settings. Yes, I was clicking on “apply”. Tried just clicking on “OK” once, just for grins. When the computer restarts, it’s still set at 640 x 480. Reinstalled Windows from the CD which came with the computer. No help. Visited the WIndows Update website but, surprisingly, it didn’t have anything for me. Help, please. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monitor-resolution-stuck-at-640-x-480/287445/2 "2005-01-30T17:26:12Z")
Every time I experienced a similar issue, it turned out to be a video card driver problem. Find out which video card you have, and download the newest Windows 98-compatible drivers for it. Before you install it, you may want to start in Safe Mode, and use the Device Manager to remove all instances of your video card in the hardware profile, then reboot. Windows should then redetect the card and prompt you to reinstall the driver. Click the Have Disk button and navigate to the new driver you just downloaded. However, read the manufacturer’s installation instructions first, since some device driver installations won’t work properly if you use the Hardware Installation Wizard as I just outlined. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monitor-resolution-stuck-at-640-x-480/287445/3 "2005-01-30T17:39:50Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > Every time I experienced a similar issue, it turned out to be a video card driver problem. Find out which video card you have, and download the newest Windows 98-compatible drivers for it. Before you install it, you may want to start in Safe Mode, and use the Device Manager to remove all instances of your video card in the hardware profile, then reboot. Windows should then redetect the card and prompt you to reinstall the driver. Click the Have Disk button and navigate to the new driver you just downloaded. However, read the manufacturer’s installation instructions first, since some device driver installations won’t work properly if you use the Hardware Installation Wizard as I just outlined. Thanks! I’ll try that. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monitor-resolution-stuck-at-640-x-480/287445/4 "2005-01-30T18:43:53Z")
I haven’t used Win98 in years, but I would suggest going to [http://www.monitor-drivers.com](http://www.monitor-drivers.com), finding the correct Win98 driver for you particular monitor’s make and model, installing it, and then going to Display Settings to adjust the resolution. When you select the resolution and hit “apply,” the resolution should instantaneously change, and not require a restart. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monitor-resolution-stuck-at-640-x-480/287445/5 "2005-01-30T19:47:04Z")
Reinstalled the driver found on my Windows98 CD. All is now A-OK. Many thanks for the help. _Wondering why that driver wasn’t reinstalled when I reinstalled Windows… oh well, it’s fixed now._