Video Problems with the Compaq Portable III/Portable 386

• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 2.03, 2.1, 2.11, 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

When you run Microsoft Windows on a COMPAQ Portable III or a COMPAQ PORTABLE 386 machine, the screen may turn black and the computer may freeze, or you may receive the error message "Error Initializing Video Driver."

MORE INFORMATION

Error Initializing Video Driver

If you install Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1 on a COMPAQ PORTABLE 386 or a COMPAQ Portable III and the display is set to an external monitor, when you try to enter standard-mode Setup, Windows either stops responding or exits to MS-DOS with the following error message:

   Error initializing video driver

• The COMPAQ plasma display must be set to Monochrome Mode. This is accomplished by setting the E23 jumper to 2-3. (If the E23 jumper is set to 1-2, you receive the above error message.)

  -and-

• The external monitor must be the primary and active monitor before you start the Windows Setup program.

Blank Screen and Computer Freezes

Compaq Portable III and Compaq PORTABLE 386 machines are shipped with a Compaq Dual-Mode Plasma display built into the machine.

The default Windows Setup selection for this display is the Compaq Dual-Mode Gas Plasma display. However, if the display is configured as a monochrome display adapter (MDA), this selection causes the screen to appear blank and the computer to stop responding.

To correct this problem, add the following line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, or type the line manually at the command prompt:

   mode sel cga

Some Compaq portable displays are reconfigured for MDA so that they can function with a third-party EGA or VGA display adapter mounted in the expansion chassis; an adapter conflict occurs unless these displays are reconfigured.

The above workaround is necessary only if the machine has been reconfigured for MDA. If the default Windows choice for Dual-Mode Gas Plasma display does not work correctly, issue the above command.