Black screen of death.

[Malke]

XP
OEM intel mobo
I downloaded and installed LAN drivers
got onto the internet
d/l and installed Audio drivers.
I then installed what I thought was a graphics accelerator
Now when booting, I see the XP logo
then all goes black.
Anyway to get back to prev status? advice?
Thank you very much.

1. First try to get into Safe Mode. As the computer is starting,
repeatedly tap the F8 key. Use your arrow key to select Safe Mode. If
you can get into Safe Mode:

a. Uninstall the Graphics Accelerator.
b. If you don't see an entry for it, do a System Restore to before you
installed the program.

2. If you can't get into Safe Mode, try Last Known Good Configuration
(same menu as Safe Mode). If you get in, uninstall the Graphics Accelerator.

3. If no luck w/1 and 2, try Safe Mode Command Prompt (same menu as Safe
Mode) and run System Restore from the command line:

c:\Windows\System32\restore\rstrui.exe [enter]


Malke

 

[Rod]

XP
OEM intel mobo
I downloaded and installed LAN drivers
got onto the internet
d/l and installed Audio drivers.
I then installed what I thought was a graphics accelerator
Now when booting, I see the XP logo
then all goes black.
Anyway to get back to prev status? advice?
Thank you very much.

 

[Malke]

Yay!
Status restored,
Phew, me and my ulcer pay homage.
Malke is def on the Chrissy card list.
Thanks very much indeed.

yay!!! I'm so glad you got it sorted. Thanks for taking the time to let
me know. Some general words of advice about drivers for the future -
including the famous "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" ;-) :

Never get drivers from Windows Update. Get them from:

1. The device mftr.'s website; OR
2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR
3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM
computer (HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).

Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the drivers.

To find out what hardware is in your computer:

1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.
2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific
model machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers
anyway)
3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc
Advisor or System Information for Windows.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor
http://www.gtopala.com/ - System Information for Windows

If you have installed drivers from Windows Update, you can roll them back:

How to Roll Back a Device Driver in Windows XP - http://tinyurl.com/86yb6


Malke

 

[Rod]

1. First try to get into Safe Mode. As the computer is starting,
repeatedly tap the F8 key. Use your arrow key to select Safe Mode. If
you can get into Safe Mode:

Thanks for being so prompt! Man...I'm panicking.
I'll be in touch.

 

[Rod]

1. First try to get into Safe Mode.

Yep! (smile appearing)

a. Uninstall the Graphics Accelerator.

How do I do that?

ongoing thanks

 

[Rod]

a. Uninstall the Graphics Accelerator.
Malke

Yay!
Status restored,
Phew, me and my ulcer pay homage.
Malke is def on the Chrissy card list.
Thanks very much indeed.

 

[Rod]

1. The device mftr.'s website; OR
2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR
3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM
computer (HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).
Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the

drivers.

Yep, this is where I failed in my opinion,
I downloaded and clicked install.....bad news.

Thanks again, your thread archived.
Rod.