Member Avatar for redmage

A bit of help please, I am working on a Dell Latitude using Win2k and the display is only taking up about 1/4 of the screen, right in the center. I am sure this is a driver issue, but here's the thing, it's running an ATI Mobility M4 card and the drivers will not install properly, there are no errors on install, but on reboot the display is unchanged and the device manager states the drivers are not found. The only thing that dissuades me is that the screen display is the same in safe mode and even outside of windows entirely, the dell splash screen during post is the same size

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Because the tiny image shows up before Windows loads (you already noted the Dell POST/splash and Safe Mode look the same), this is almost certainly a firmware/hardware symptom rather than a Windows driver problem. ’s observation rules out a normal driver/OS-only issue — drivers like Catalyst only affect Windows, not the BIOS splash.

Quick diagnostic checklist (do these in order):

  • Connect an external VGA/CRT monitor and toggle the display (Fn+F-key). If the external shows a full-size image, the laptop panel, its LVDS cable or the panel’s timing/EDID are the likely culprits.
  • If the external also shows the small centered image, the problem is on the system board / video BIOS / GPU.
  • Run the built-in Dell pre-boot diagnostics from the boot menu (F12 on most Dells) and note any video errors.
  • Power-drain the system (remove battery and AC, hold power 30s) and retry. This resets some embedded controllers.
  • If comfortable opening the lid: with power removed, reseat the display cable at both the panel and the motherboard and inspect for bent pins or damaged foil. If the panel was recently replaced, confirm it matches the original native resolution/pinout.

Notes and cautions: ’s tip to check BIOS display/stretch settings is sensible — look for any LCD/stretch/graphics options in Setup. Do not rush to reflash BIOS or attempt advanced VBIOS fixes; those carry a real risk of bricking the machine. If diagnostics point to the panel/cable and the laptop is under warranty, contact Dell. If the board/BIOS looks faulty, professional repair or board replacement will likely be required.

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Member Avatar for redmage

sorry the message is "Windows could not load the drivers" not "not found"

Member Avatar for suburban

Some laptops have a cmos setting to stretch screen, also if you haven`t already then install catalyst win2k & see if that installs graphics driver. Good luck.

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