Black Screen After I Disabled Video Driver

[Guest]

I was trying to update my ATI Driver and received the missing video driver
error. I disabled the Radeon video driver (and later also disabled the
default driver). When I start up my computer, I can see the normal screens
of Windows XP starting, and I have the option to go to the BIOS utility (F1)
or ReBoot option (F12).
I pressed F8 to try and start through Safe Mode, but the screen freezes.
When I tried to enable VGA mode, I couldn't see anything either.
I know the operating system is running; I can press CTRL + ALT +DELETE and
enter my password and the Windows sound plays.

Is there anyway to enable the video driver from BIOS or the reboot option?
Is there another way to fix this problem?

Thanks

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi Stephen,

This one time that the Last Known Good Configuration feature may come in
handy.

How to start your computer by using the Last Known Good Configuration
feature in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307852

 

[Guest]

Bert,
I forget to mention that I've already tried LKGC. I've tried each option
from the Advanced Startup Menu after pressing F8. I think LKGC doesn't work
because everything is working correctly (Windows runs fine) except that the
video driver has been disabled. Any other ideas?

Thanks

 

[Bert Kinney]

Ok. How about booting to the command prompt rather than safe mode.

If you can get that far, type the following command and press enter.

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

This will start System Restore. Restore the system to a date and time
before the video changes were made.

 

[Guest]

Bert,

Even with the black screen I was able to perform the system restore,
unfortunately, I thought that my documents would be saved. Since I lost
everything, I undid the system restore and am back at square one.
Do you have any other ideas? Could I connect my computer to another
computer and restore the setting that way?

Thanks

 

[Mike Hall - MS MVP Windows Shell/User]

Stephen

Is the ATI card being run on a motherboard that has integrated video?.. if
it is, remove the ATI card, boot up with the screen connected to the
integrated video port.. uninstall all of the ATI driver..

Now go to the ATI driver site, follow the path for Radeon drivers, then
download and save the 'driver only' in the 'low speed' section of that
page.. install the driver if it will let you, then shutdown the machine,
install the ATI card and reboot.. remember to attach the screen cable to the
ATI port.. the card should now work.. go back to the ATI driver site and
download the full Catalyst package.. install it and all should be working
ok..

Reboot the machine, and go into BIOS.. set the integrated video memory to
its lowest setting, generally 8mb.. reason for this is if the ATI video
fails again, you can just use the integrated video port which in turn means
not having to enable the 'clears CMOS' jumper to get back integrated video
memory..