How to: Determine whether the old display will work with new adapter card.
Solution:
Obtain the manual for the old monitor and attempt to match its specifications with those of the new video card.
NOTE: If the old display is VGA, it will probably work with a new video card, although resolution and color quality may not be as good.
1) Obtain the manual for the old monitor and attempt to match its specifications with those of the new video card, as follows:
a) Type: CGA, EGA, VGA, or SVGA.
b) Resolution: Pixel dots in rows and columns (such as., 640 x 480, 800 x 600, or 1024 x 768).
c) Mode: The combination of resolution and colors (the number of colors available for display within given resolution).
EXAMPLES: 640 x 480 with 256 colors, or 800 x 600 with 16 colors
d) Refresh rate: How fast both the video card and display can repaint the screen picture (attempt to match).
e) Display technology: Digital versus analog. New video cards require analog displays; older digital displays will not work.
2) If it appears the display and the adapter card will work together, try it and see:
CAUTION: Using refresh rates that do not match those expected by the monitor can damage the monitor.
a) Install the video card.
b) Connect the display unit cables.
c) Turn on the computer and display unit.
d) Install a matching video driver.
3) If it does not work, try a different video driver (perhaps the video card manufacturer has a new version available).
4) If it still does not work, upgrade the display unit.
