Computer won't allow me to update driver..

I am trying to update the video driver in my friend’s computer. Somehow something was deleted so it now only runs in 640x480 with like 16 colors. When I go to update the driver (through Device Manager), it finds the files and copies them through the whole process, and then comes up at the end and says it was not installed because access is denied. Is there anyway to fix this or what? Thanks so much!

Hi,
Sorry to hear of the problems with your video driver,

If you go here:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_d.htm
you will find complete chapter and verse on the procedures to follow. The site is in alphabetical order so the bit you want (about half way through, will be easy to find)
The site is written by an experienced and well respected practitioner (Microsoft MVP etc) and should enable you to quickly fix the problem.
Regards
paws

What exactly is it under? I'm not seeing the part I need. Thanks.

Hi Go to: DirectX 9c (4.09.000.0904) issues after/with SP2: VIDEO-DIRECTX-SYSTEM CHECKLIST and read the following paragraphs. Regards paws

Two problems: I can't really figure out what video card I have because when I go to the Desktop /Properties /SETTINGS /ADVANCED /ADAPTER everything is blank. When I go to install the driver from the .exe file, an error stops the process that says: An unknown error has occured. Setup will exit. What to do??

I ran DXDiag from Run and it seems that no sound card is installed. It also says that the system is using the generic video driver - Please install video driver provided by the hardware manufacturer.

Hi, Yes its pretty clear that you have no video card correctly installed, Your 640x480 16 colors is the standard Windows VGA (so at least you can see something on your VDU.) The best thing is to start again and reinstall your card and driver from the beginning, make sure its seated correctly (take all usual antistatic precautions) and follow the directions in the website given in my previous post Regards paws

How should I reinstall the card and driver from the beginning if it doesn't allow me to install the driver. The computer is showing the card in the device manager with a ! next to it showing that it needs to be installed. When I try to, it tells I don't have access or that an error occured and it will shut down setup.

Hi,
Uninstall it first from device manager and then check there is no reference to it in add/remove programmes
When you are sure all traces of the previous installation have gone then reinstall it following the instructions previously given in
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_d.htm
Don't forget you may need safe mode for this (see above website)
Regards
paws

I've tried all of that and still nothing changed. =(

It says access is denied. How do I get past this?

http://uploader.ws/upload/200609/cantinstall.jpg

Hi, Sorry to hear you still have a problem. Its clear there is still something wrong (incidentally your link in the previous post doesn't work either) If your video card is an actual physical card rather than an on board chip then after taking all the normal anti static and personal safety precautions, physically remove it. Remove your drivers and any reference to the card, using if necessary any uninstall tool provided on the video card manufacturers web site, Make sure you have downloaded to a safe place the latest drivers. Reboot your computer and then try a completely fresh install. If you still have no joy after all this then its time to consider using Sytem Restore to see if this helps if it doesn't then its time to consider reinstalling/repairing windows. (I hope you have kept all your discs nice and safe) Regards paws

The card is not a physical one - it is a chip. I also have done SR as well as a complete re-install of Windows. Both of these led me no where.

Hi, Next step is to download the latest Motherbord drivers, install them, then try again with the video drivers (as before) . If you still get nowhere after this see if you have an empty PCI slot in your system (or an AGP slot) and if you have borrow, cadge, or as a last resort buy a cheap video card and fit it (make sure you have the drivers for this before you start and make sure you have the manufacturers insrtuctions as well) download if necessary. There should be no need to disable the on board video chip in the bios as the new drivers should do this automatically, but in view of your past experience its best to be on the safe side! Good luck Paws