Why is color bad on computer?

Why doesn't my computer allow 32-bit color on the resolution best resolution for my monitor?

• I run Windows Vista Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GS Monitor: Acer AL2216W LCD Monitor My computer or monitor is supposed to have 32-bit color but the best resolution that is designated for this monitor only has 16-bit color. Because of this the resolution keeps changing back to a resolution with 32-bit color. What is the problem if I can't use 32-bit color on the best resolution?

• Answer:

  Interesting problem. I think your monitor supports a native resolution 1680 x 1050, which is not stupendously high and is pretty normal for monitors with that screen size. If you can't do 1680x1050 at 32 bit color then there's something quite wrong, as an 8600 GS should easily be able to do that. You really have to go back about 10 years to find cards that wouldn't be capable of it. So there's something weird about your setup. Best thing I can suggest is wipe your NVidia driver using one of those "driver cleaner" tools, and reinstall the latest version of the driver from scratch. Just updating the driver doesn't always help if there are nasties left over from your previous driver version.