This article is from the comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.video Frequently Asked Questions, by Michael Scott with numerous contributions by others. (v1.0).
Without the proper technical training, you are limited in what you can fix, but the most common problems encountered are due to buggy or incorrect video drivers being installed.
If you are having display problems in Windows 3.1, Windows 95, OS/2, XFree 86 or just about any other graphics based operating system, then try the standard VGA or SVGA drivers that come with the system. If the problems disappear, then the drivers you are using are either buggy, corrupted, installed incorrectly or are conflicting with something in your system. The best idea is to make sure you have the most recent drivers - contact your computer vendor, video card manufacturer or the Net. When you contact people with problems, have your computer configuration information in hand (see posting rules at the start of this FAQ).
If you are relatively certain that you have a hardware or software conflict, see the section "Are there known conflicts with my video card?".
 
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