Video brightness problems

[gajake15]

I am trying to upgrade a PackBell (1999) P2, 333mhz and am having video brightness problems. I have turned the monitor brightness and contrast to the max and still I have to go into the control panel settings and adjust the gamma to have a decent picture. The problem is that the boot-up picture is just too dark. Through "swaptronics" I have determined that it's not a bad monitor, but something else. Does anyone have any ideas? Has the video card gone bad? Will an upgraded video card possibly correct the problem? The problem came up some time ago, but the machine hasn't been used in nearly a year. I am in the process of upgrading the memory, hardrive, and video card so that my 4 year-old can have something for his little games and leave me to my WWII stuff. Any ideas is appreciated.

[Bovon]

This must be an off day for me.... (heh) I understand the term "swaptronics" (I think) where parts or whole setups are used to try and narrow down a problem..but to save my life, I cannot get it thru my thick skull...exactly what you have done.

I presume you have tried a different monitor?..or, maybe tried your monitor on a different system?...either of which indicates the problem to be elsewhere rather than the monitor?..

If you have reasonably proven that the monitor itself is ok, I would (1) try different drivers for my video card or (2) try a different video card.

I have also had to 'fiddle' with the gamma settings with this Nvidia based card..but I think it is because I just changed monitors which is not as bright/technology as the other one.

BTW, Welcome to Sysopt!

[RockNRoll]

LOL! Yeh, I believe he means he swapped monitors and still no go.

Well, check the connection to the vid card. And it is possible the card is going to R.I.P. soon. What card is it?