ARCHIVED: For Microsoft Windows 3.1, how can I get the correct video drivers?

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Identifying your video hardware

The first step in finding the correct Windows drivers for your video card is to determine the type of card you have:

  • If you have a brand name card, the box it came in or its documentation will identify the type of card.
  • For other cards, you can look at the BIOS message (if any) that your computer displays when you boot it up.
  • You can open up your computer and look for identification; this is usually either printed on the card itself or on some of the integrated circuits.
  • You can use the msd.exe utility (a DOS-based diagnostic utility included with Windows 3.1), to determine the manufacturer and type of video card in your system.

If none of these methods work, contact the technical support line of your computer retailer.

Locating a driver

Once you have identified your card, you are ready to begin searching for the right driver. First, check whether Windows includes the driver you are searching for; Windows 3.1 includes generic VGA (640x480x16) and SuperVGA (800x600x16) drivers, as well as numerous specific drivers. Second, look at the diskettes you received in the video card package. These may contain the appropriate driver, saving you from a further search.

If neither Windows nor the diskettes have the drivers, or they are out of date, you may wish to check the following anonymous ftp site for the latest copies:

  ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/

You can also try the following web site:

  http://www.winsite.com/

If you still can't find the correct drivers, try one of the following:

  • Contact your video card dealer.
  • Contact the video card manufacturer.
  • Download the latest driver from the manufacturer's web site. Most video card manufacturers maintain web sites that you can find by searching on the company name.

Note: Windows 3.1 drivers are normally dated after the release date of Windows 3.1 itself.

This is document abog in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2018-01-18 08:57:23.