Display Problem

[Dean]

Hi Group -

Here's my complicated scenario:

Windows XP Home edition has been functioning fine for
almost 2 years.

My anti-virus software and spyware blockers are all
updated and have been run without finding a problem. I
have downloaded and installed all the XP updates.

About a month ago, every time I rebooted, the display
pixels changed from 800x600 to 640x480. I was able to go
into the Control Panel and reset them to 800x600 and they
remained fine until I rebooted and then the scenario
repeated. That was until yesterday..............

Yesterday, when I reboot, the display appears to be even
larger than 640 x480. When I go into the Control Panel,
it says it is 640x480, but again, it looks larger. Now,
however, if I reset it to 800x600, the desk top becomes
800x600, BUT, the desk top becomes narrower by about 2
inches on each side. In other words, the icon become the
correct
size, but the desk top shrinks in on both sides by about
two inches, leaving about 2 inches of black on each
side. The top to bottom remains correct.

I have reset the monitor to the original settings without
improvement.

Out of sheer frustration, I reinstalled Win XP.
Interestingly, during the installation, the screen
appeared correct until the final reboot, when the problem
re-occurred. I am assuming that since the screen was
correct during the re-install, that it is a software
setting problem and not a hardware problem. Also, when
XP starts, I get the computer manufacturers logo in full
normal screen.

I removed the video driver and reinstalled the latest
version. Interestingly, it resolved back to being able
to change the settings in the control panel and have it
remain for the session until I rebooted. However, now it
is back to the later problem of narrowing of the desktop
from the sides.

Another observation is that since yesterday, Windows
Messenger, which normally always loads on start-up, seems
not to do so all the time. I have had manually start it,
and when I did, the display resized. I'm not sure if
there is a connection nor can I figure out how to
uninstall and reinstall Windows Messenger.

I'd appreciate additional suggestions that anyone might
be able to
offer as this has become quite frustrating.

Thanks you !

 

[RJK]

I say to you "refresh rates" ...and I mean that in a "warm, kind loving
way" ! Could it be that Monitor settings are causing a little confusion
here? And could it be that you have been inadvertently accepting graphics
drivers from MS "Windows Update" that have been replacing your carefully
installed "latest" graphics drivers ? i.e. you have to be careful to NOT
install graphics and sound drivers via Windows update.

regards, Richard

 

[Malke]

Hi Group -

Here's my complicated scenario:

Windows XP Home edition has been functioning fine for
almost 2 years.

My anti-virus software and spyware blockers are all
updated and have been run without finding a problem. I
have downloaded and installed all the XP updates.

About a month ago, every time I rebooted, the display
pixels changed from 800x600 to 640x480. I was able to go
into the Control Panel and reset them to 800x600 and they
remained fine until I rebooted and then the scenario
repeated. That was until yesterday..............

Yesterday, when I reboot, the display appears to be even
larger than 640 x480. When I go into the Control Panel,
it says it is 640x480, but again, it looks larger. Now,
however, if I reset it to 800x600, the desk top becomes
800x600, BUT, the desk top becomes narrower by about 2
inches on each side. In other words, the icon become the
correct
size, but the desk top shrinks in on both sides by about
two inches, leaving about 2 inches of black on each
side. The top to bottom remains correct.

I have reset the monitor to the original settings without
improvement.

Out of sheer frustration, I reinstalled Win XP.
Interestingly, during the installation, the screen
appeared correct until the final reboot, when the problem
re-occurred. I am assuming that since the screen was
correct during the re-install, that it is a software
setting problem and not a hardware problem. Also, when
XP starts, I get the computer manufacturers logo in full
normal screen.

I removed the video driver and reinstalled the latest
version. Interestingly, it resolved back to being able
to change the settings in the control panel and have it
remain for the session until I rebooted. However, now it
is back to the later problem of narrowing of the desktop
from the sides.

Another observation is that since yesterday, Windows
Messenger, which normally always loads on start-up, seems
not to do so all the time. I have had manually start it,
and when I did, the display resized. I'm not sure if
there is a connection nor can I figure out how to
uninstall and reinstall Windows Messenger.

Although you did a great job of investigating this problem, you drew the
wrong conclusion from the fact that the Welcome screen worked and the
regular mode didn't. Actually, your video card is probably failing. The
way to test this is to swap out your card for a known-working one and
see if that helps. Of course, you'll need to uninstall the current card
and install proper drivers for the new card, but that isn't any big
deal.

Malke

 

[Guest]

I have had this problem before, what you need to do is right click my computer, click hardware, then click device manager,click the + next the Display Adapters, right click your display adapter, and choose properties, then choose the drivers tab,then click update drvier,then choose the best update, and continue with the update wizard, then restart your computer.<<<<<<<<<Justin

 

[Dean]

Hi Malke,

I just tried a variation of your recommendation. I
removed MY video card and put it in a friends computer
and it worked fine. Do you think this ruled out a card
problem ?

I am really convinced there is a driver conflict here and
I just can't figure out what the exact conflict is nor
how to correct it.

The replies below yours seem to lean the same way.

Any suggestions ??

 

[Guest]

yes dean there is a way to set what is started on start up just follow these steps:

1.click start
2.click run
3.type in "msconfig" without the quotes
4.go to the startup tab and select the box next to msmsgs
5.click ok it will ask you if you want to restart;go ahead ^
6.When windows reloads a window will come up telling you that you have gone into a selecitive startup just click the box telling it to not pop up again, and make sure your messenger loaded.<<<<<Justin

 

[Dean]

I rebooted several times and made the following
observations....... everything appears fine during the
initial phase of start-up. The Welcome screens appear
full screen and of the correct size. It seems that
problems begin during the phase where the drivers and the
programs load.

Desperate situations call for desperate measures.

I think I may have solved the problem !

Out of desperation and total frustration and operating on
the assumption that there was a driver conflict
somewhere, I went into Device Manager and deleted the
drivers for the video contoller, monitor driver, SCSI and
RAID contoller drivers and IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers,
rebooted, let XP find the drivers and the problem seems
to have resolved ! I haven't rebooted a second time yet
tho !

Interestingly, Windows Update has found an Updated Nvidia
Video Driver from July 2003. I'm debating whether to
download and install it. As my problems began well after
JUL '03, I'll probably install the update and see what
happens.

Thanks to all for your help !

 

[RJK]

Don't touch the Windows Nvidia driver with a barge-pole ....as I suggested
in a previous response to your post.

regards, Richard

 

[Plato]

initial phase of start-up. The Welcome screens appear
full screen and of the correct size. It seems that

That screen doesn't depend on your video card or drivers to display
properly.

Interestingly, Windows Update has found an Updated Nvidia
Video Driver from July 2003. I'm debating whether to
download and install it. As my problems began well after

If you car is running fine do you take it to the dealer anyway for a
tuneup?

 

[Les Herrman]

I just tried a variation of your recommendation. I
removed MY video card and put it in a friends computer
and it worked fine. Do you think this ruled out a card
problem ?

I am really convinced there is a driver conflict here and
I just can't figure out what the exact conflict is nor
how to correct it.

The replies below yours seem to lean the same way.

Any suggestions ??

1.) Are you using the correct monitor.inf file for your monitor.
Or are you using the default plug and play monitor.

If using the plug and play selection go to the website of the
manufacturer for your monitor and get the monitor.inf file for your
monitor and install it. This will assure that you are not choosing a
refresh rate setting that is not correct for your monitor. To do
this..

Click on Settings/advanced in display and then click the monitor tab.
Click on Properties/then driver/then update driver
Choose to Install from a List or specific location
Choose on next page for it Not search you will choose the driver to
install
On next page choose have disk and then browse to where you have the
..inf file for the monitor stored. Select that .inf file and then click
on OK.

Once the new driver is installed then go back to
display/settings/advanced and click on the monitor tab again. You
should now be showing the monitor there as the one you just install
and not plug and play. Make sure the box is checked for Hide modes
this monitor can not display.

Now set the refresh rate to a rate that the monitor is showing it can
display.

See if this helps.

 

[Rock]

I rebooted several times and made the following
observations....... everything appears fine during the
initial phase of start-up. The Welcome screens appear
full screen and of the correct size. It seems that
problems begin during the phase where the drivers and the
programs load.

Desperate situations call for desperate measures.

I think I may have solved the problem !

Out of desperation and total frustration and operating on
the assumption that there was a driver conflict
somewhere, I went into Device Manager and deleted the
drivers for the video contoller, monitor driver, SCSI and
RAID contoller drivers and IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers,
rebooted, let XP find the drivers and the problem seems
to have resolved ! I haven't rebooted a second time yet
tho !

Interestingly, Windows Update has found an Updated Nvidia
Video Driver from July 2003. I'm debating whether to
download and install it. As my problems began well after
JUL '03, I'll probably install the update and see what
happens.

Thanks to all for your help !

No No No...don't ever get drive updates from the Windows UPdate site.
If you need one go to the manufacturers site and only update the drive
if you are having problems or there is some new feature you must have.
Don't update just for the sake of having the lastest one.

 

[Kelly]

Interestingly, Windows Update has found an Updated Nvidia Video Driver

from July 2003. I'm debating whether to download and install it.

I haven't read this thread, but on this note: rule of thumb is never
install a driver update from MS. Check with the manufacturer. Better said,
if it ain't broke...... )