how do i reset resolutions when recommended setting isnt there?

[thingummyjig]

we recently had to re-format our pc, we think it was due to an electrical surge messing up the whole thing. (we've lost everything that was on there). we need to know how to get the resolutions to the recommended setting 1280x760 or something, but this option isnt given when we go to properties etc. is there anything we can do to remedy this? also, how do we change settings from american keyboard to english?

[Buenchico]

You can sort out the keyboard settings from within your control panel. You've not stated which version of Windows you're using. In Millennium (which I'm using), 2000 and 98 you go to Start > Settings > Control Panel and then double-click on 'Keyboard'. I think that it's fairly similar in XP and (despite Microsoft's unerring ability to make simple jobs successively harder with each release of Windows) it's likely to be similar in Vista.

Once you've got into the Keyboard settings, you'll probably need to click 'Add' to bring up 'British' as a keyboard option and then check that it's set as the default option.

The reason you can't set the resolution to the required setting is because you've not installed the driver for the video card (or onboard video). The driver should be on a disc which came with your PC. If not, you'll have to download it from the internet.

Chris

PS: If you experience a similar 'messing up' of your PC in future, please remember that it's always best to try installing Windows 'on top of itself' (i.e. without reformatting) before taking the drastic step of formatting the drive. In the vast majority of cases this will fix the problem without any loss of data (or drivers).

[gen2]

When I was working (2 years ago) we often had computers that 'lost' their driver and defaulted to a VGX 16 colour built-in driver. The machines were DELL with non-Dell LCD monitors. The solution was not just to re-install the Video drivers, but we also had to reinstall the chipset drivers.

This may or may not be what you require.

[ACtheTROLL]

It depends if the vid card is built in or seperate ....

every machine needs the chipset drivers .... and on older mobos they included the onboard vid drivers in the package.
(most business machines use onboard graphics - and dell often supply an all-in-one driver disk so it's all or nothing)

if it's a seperate card ... just the video drivers should do

(whichever you need ... don't use the CD - download new if you can - make sure they are the latest versions available)