split screen

we are trying to get an older PC up and running and have a
Gateway with a zenith monitor and windows 98 2nd edition.
When oening, the Gateway logo comes in fine along with the
windows logo but when the desk top opens the screen is
split into 5 vertical sections (each having all the icons
and curser)when we open it in the safe mode it is fine.
Any suggestions will be greatly appriciated.

I have not heard of that symptom before so just as a guess, I would say the
wrong video display adapter driver is installed. Here is my canned blurb on
video drivers:

When the correct screen resolution (screen area) or the right number of
colors are not available choices in display properties, settings tab, then
it is a good bet you do not have the right driver installed for your display
adapter. The display adapter in your PC is either a video card or a display
chipset on the motherboard.

If you received a CD or floppy disks with drivers along with your PC, see if
they contain a display adapter driver and install it using: control panel,
system, device manager, display adapter.

If you know what display adapter your PC has but you have no disks, use
www.google.com to track down the correct driver on the internet.

If you do not know what display adapter your PC uses, you can go to a MS-DOS
prompt and type: Debug and hit enter. The screen will display a
flashing prompt next to a - sign. Type: DC000:35 (DC000:50 may also work)
and hit enter. The name and possibly model of your display adapter should
appear on the right hand side of the screen. To quit Debug, type Q and hit
enter. If Debug is not helpful, you can try this program: Advanced PCI
Info, available at: http://www.upsystems.com.ua/support/alexmina/ If all
else fails, you will have to remove the computer case. Look at where the
monitor plugs into the back of the case and then check that location inside
the case. If there is a card there, you obviously have a video card and if
not, you have on board graphics. Write down any information displayed on
either the card or the chipset on the motherboard. Then use www.google.com
to search for the information. Do not include all the data you found in one
search message--search on each piece individually. If you include all the
information at once, you might not get a hit.

I have found that a video card will generally have to be removed in order to
see the information. Be careful of static electricity as it can fry
components. Before touching anything in the computer case (the cord is
unplugged, right?), ground yourself to the case by touching it. Don't work
on carpeting since shuffling your feet on it can generate static electricity
after you grounded yourself. Remove the one screw that holds the card in
place and using a rocking motion (left to right and back) and pull the card
straight out.

Once you have the right driver, install it through control panel, system,
device manager or through control panel, add new hardware, as appropriate.


--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"Lucyann" wrote in message
...
we are trying to get an older PC up and running and have a
Gateway with a zenith monitor and windows 98 2nd edition.
When oening, the Gateway logo comes in fine along with the
windows logo but when the desk top opens the screen is
split into 5 vertical sections (each having all the icons
and curser)when we open it in the safe mode it is fine.
Any suggestions will be greatly appriciated.

Do these five vertical sections display with lots of horizontal lines and
flickering like you sometimes see on a TV set? If so, you have selected a
screen size that is beyond the capabilities of your monitor. In safe mode,
right-click a blank part of the desktop and choose Properties / Settings.
Select Apply (even though nothing is changed) and restart. This sets the
default display in normal startup back to the display format used in safe
mode.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (DTS)
"Lucyann" wrote in message
...
we are trying to get an older PC up and running and have a
Gateway with a zenith monitor and windows 98 2nd edition.
When oening, the Gateway logo comes in fine along with the
windows logo but when the desk top opens the screen is
split into 5 vertical sections (each having all the icons
and curser)when we open it in the safe mode it is fine.
Any suggestions will be greatly appriciated.

Jeff,
It worked!!! You are a genius, thanks so much!!!!



-----Original Message-----
Do these five vertical sections display with lots of
horizontal lines and
flickering like you sometimes see on a TV set? If so,
you have selected a
screen size that is beyond the capabilities of your
monitor. In safe mode,
right-click a blank part of the desktop and choose
Properties / Settings.
Select Apply (even though nothing is changed) and
restart. This sets the
default display in normal startup back to the display
format used in safe
mode.
--
Jeff Richards

Thanks for letting us know that you got it sorted out.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (DTS)
"Lucyann" wrote in message
...
Jeff,
It worked!!! You are a genius, thanks so much!!!!