Microsoft KB Archive/107731

= Dell 466/ME and S3 Driver Display Problems =

Article ID: 107731

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1

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This article was previously published under Q107731



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: kbhardware KB107731

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