This is a short guide on solving the problem when trying to install the VGA driver on a Dell GX270 when Windows 7 is installed.

Step #1

Install Windows 7 on the Dell GX270 computer. (Refer to my other articles for using ImageX and WinPE 3.0 boot environment for capturing and applying images).

Step #2

Once you have Windows 7 installed, at least for me, Windows Updates didn’t pick up the VGA driver automatically; leaving you with a very large resolution which is unusable.

Step #3

Download the Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller driver (R126990.EXE). (Download Here) The drivers on Dell’s website do not work for Windows Vista or Windows 7.

GX270 - R126990 driver

Step #4

Once you have the R126990.EXE downloaded, you will need to extract the contents of the EXE to a folder. I suggest using 7-zip or Winrar. Download 7-Zip

GX270 - Extracting the driver.

Step #5

Now that you have the driver extracted you are going to have to install the driver manually in compatibility mode. Go into the folder you just extracted and right click on the setup.exe and go to properties and then the compatibility mode tab. You will want to enable compatibility mode for Windows Service Pack 3 and also select “Run as Administrator.”

Run in Compatibility Mode

Step #6

Click Apply, then click OK. Now run the setup.exe as you normally would and it shouldn’t complain about OS not being compatible.