Bootup or login problem - dark screen

[Aaron]

OS: WinXP MCE with SP2, I have Admin privileges.

When trying to log in to Windows I get a dark screen. Initially
Experienced this problem when trying to switch users; I typed in my user
password and Windows seemed to be logging in, then went to a dark screen
with two 'hyphens' ( - ) near the top.

Subsequent attempts to login have given the same result just after the
Windows splash screen, it never makes it to the user login screen.

I can F8 to Safe Mode, with network support, which is how I am able to
post this, so it does not appear to be an electrical/physical connection
problem.

I can F2 to BIOS, and F12 to be able to get to Ubuntu linux. Again,
verifying a good physical hookup.

If any more details are needed, just ask here.

Thank you.

 

[Guest]

I would try to boot with the "Last known configuration"

Do you have the OS disk? I'm guessing you've got one of those HPs. You can
make disks or 2 DVDs then run a repair installation. I'm not on my machine
at home that has MCE right now so I can't give you the specifics, but you can
look it up in help.

 

[Aaron]

I would try to boot with the "Last known configuration"

Do you have the OS disk? I'm guessing you've got one of those HPs. You can
make disks or 2 DVDs then run a repair installation. I'm not on my machine
at home that has MCE right now so I can't give you the specifics, but you can
look it up in help.

It is a Dell Dimension 8400. The OS disc says it is for re-installation
of the OS, which I assume means it is a system image and will re-write
the OS back to day one - the choice of last resort.

Folks at work think it is a video driver problem. I have downloaded the
latest from Radeon (X300 series video card) and will try that before
redoing WinXp.

Maybe the next question is: How do I re-install the driver? How do I
determine if it is a driver problem?

 

[Aaron]

I would try to boot with the "Last known configuration"

It is a Dell Dimension 8400. The OS disc says it is for re-installation
of the OS, which I assume means it is a system image and will re-write
the OS back to day one - the choice of last resort.

Folks at work think it is a video driver problem. I have downloaded the
latest from Radeon (X300 series video card) and will try that before
redoing WinXp.

Maybe the next question is: How do I re-install the driver? How do I
determine if it is a driver problem?

After posting a reply with the above questions, a different thread gave
me the answer I needed. From Hardware Manager I went into the properties
for the video driver, told it to update letting it find the "new"
driver. It went through its gyrations (about 15 seconds worth) and said
it was happy. Did a reboot and everything went normal. Yay!

Thank you, Penny, for your response.

Aaron

 

[Guest]

Yes given that additional information the device manager would have been the
next logical place to check. I'm glad your problem is solved.