What driver do i need to get 256 color on my computer?

The monitor has no influence here - something is wrong with your video card: either its driver is missing (or corrupted) or the video chip has failed.
Uninstall all the drivers for the video(except the generic VGA one), from Programs and Device Manager
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/f/open-device-manager-windows-7.htm
and reboot several times then go to Dell
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
select your pc and get the correct driver.
If that doesn't fixes it then the video chip has failed, you will need to buy a new video card.

Restart the computer
2 While the computer is loading, press "F8" key on the keyboard right before the
computer reads the hard drive or press the "F8" key multiple times in 1 second
interval until the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" appears on the screen
3 Under "Windows Advanced Options Menu", using the arrow key on the
keyboard, select "Enable VGA Mode" then press Enter. Select "Windows 2000
or Windows XP" for your operating system.
4 Wait while the computer is loading and once the computer finishes loading,
5 Right Click anywhere on the blank area on the desktop then click "Properties"
6 Click on "Settings"
7 Click on "Advanced"
8 Click on "Adapter"
9 Click on "List All Modes..."
10 We recommend that for 15" LCD's select 1024x768, True Color (32 Bit) 60
Hz or 1024x768, High Color (16 Bit), 60 Hertz; For 17" & 18" LCD's select
1280x1024, True Color (32 Bit), 60 hertz, or 1280x1024, High Color (16 Bit)
60 Hertz, or
640x480, 256 colors, 60Hertz or 75Hertz
640x480, High Color (16 bit), 60Hertz or 75Hertz
640x480, True Color (32 bit), 60Hertz or 75Hertz
800x600, 256 Colors, 60Hertz or 75Hertz
800x600, High Color (16 bit), 60Hertz or 75Hertz
800x600, True Color (32 bit), 60Hertz or 75Hertz
1024x768, 256 colors, 60Hertz
1024x768, High Color (16 bit), 60Hertz
1024x768, True Color (32 bit), 60Hertz

11 Additional Valid Modes for use only with 17" & 18" LCD Monitor
1280x1024, 256 colors, 60Hertz
1280x1024, High Color (16 bit), 60Hertz
1280x1024, True Color (32 bit), 60Hertz

If I understand your description the video display setting is only allowing 256 colors. Basically this means the video driver being used is a generic display driver not the actual one you need to run. You need to find out what video card you have and download and then install the drivers. After that you will then be able to select the higher resolutions and color settings.

Video Attribute Properties Video graphics PCI local bus Controller Intel 810E (on motherboard) Video memory 11 MB shared memory, integrated graphics, not upgradable Feature connector (game/joystick) Yes Resolutions: 640 x 480: 16/256/32K/64K/16.7M colors

800 x 600: 16/256/32K/64K colors

1024 x 768: 16/256/32K/64K colors

1280 x 1024: 256 colors

Ok I think i found your problem. You don't need to install any drivers.

Switch your display to 256 colors To switch your display to 256 colors
Some games and other software programs require that your monitor be set to 256 colors, or they run better in 256 colors. Many of those programs will switch your monitor to 256 colors automatically when you start the program. For those that don't, follow the steps below if you want to switch the display temporarily while the game or program is running.

1. On your desktop or on the Start menu, right-click the game or other program that you want to run in 256 colors, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Compatibility tab.
3. Select the Run in 256 colors check box.

• The screen will revert to your default color quality when you close the program.
• Try switching to 256 colors if your software program shows the wrong color or the graphics redraw slowly.
• If your software program appears in a small window in the center of your screen, you can increase its size by changing your screen resolution temporarily. Follow the procedure above, but in step 3 select the Run in 640x480 screen resolution check box. Your screen resolution will revert to its previous resolution when you close the program.
• The Compatibility tab is available only for programs or games located on your computer's hard disk. It is not available if the program is stored on a floppy disk, compact disk, or a network.

Please rate this if it fix your issue

In Win98, you will get only 16 colors if you don't install the VGA driver. It is not a problem with your Monitor. Install the VGA driver. If you can't find the driver (we may be able to help to find it), try replacing the VGA.

The driver you are looking for is here.
Start by selecting "Notebook and handhelds" and follow the prompts.
It will lead you to the correct driver.

dear you can reffe to IBM website..

www.ibm.com/

or you can go to www.driverguide.com

just make a free account there and download all you need.

Rate me..


best regards

disable the driver for your video card then see if you can get it into 256 color.
Keep me posted.
Thank you,
Lee

you need to check your display driver it is a correct one.or re-install the display driver again.hope it help