HELP: can't see Windows XP desktop.... woes :S

[KevinGPO]

I have a big problem. I just moved down to my new flat in a new city. I
traveled by train and could only take my PC (case unit), and not my 17" CRT
monitor. I knew my new flat has a TV and thought I could use it. Previously
when I connect my PC to the TV my PC automatically uses the TV-out from the
BIOS boot up. Then it boots into Windows XP with no problems. However, with
this new TV it doesn't quite do that. This new TV shows my BIOS boot screen,
then the Windows XP startup logo. After that the screen goes all haywire and
can't see a thing. It appears Windows XP boots the desktop in a hi-frequency
setting, too high for the TV to handle. I rebooted into SAFE-MODE and it was
perfectly fine, I can see my desktop! But booted into NORMAL Windows XP I
cannot see a thing and the screen goes haywire.

Changing the frequency setting in SAFEMODE does not change the frequency
setting for NORMAL Windows I have found. Does anyone know how I can get
NORMAL Windows XP to work again???

PS: I don't have enough money to buy a new TFT LCD monitor. I just moved
down to a new job. And I am typing up this thread at work.
PSS: I even tried the following steps blindly:

a) wait for PC to boot into desktop (known by sound of hard disk activity,
not by visual)
b) right-click mouse
c) press ARROW key down, and hit ENTER
d) SHIFT-TAB once, then hit RIGHT ARROW key more than 5 times
e) ALT-V
f) SHIFT-TAB once, then hit RIGHT ARROW key twice (takes you to Monitor TAB)
g) press ARROW key down twice
h) press UP ARROW key at least 5 times, then ENTER, then ALT-Y

I did this, but still nothing happened :S

 

[Chelsea]

Hi Kevin,
I can't guarantee this will work but give it a try.
Connect your PC to the television then start the PC. As I understand it you
can see your Bios screen so when that appears press F8 repeatedly-just as
you must have to have gotten the safe mode menu screen. When that screen
appears select the option start using VGA mode-or something to that effect-I
can't recall the precise wording. Now press the enter key twice. This should
cause the PC to start normally but exchange your normal graphics driver for
a much simpler VGA driver. With any luck you will now see Windows start and
go to the normal login screen. If you get this far right click the desktop,
select properties and finally settings. The setting should be 640x480 with
8bit color. Don't worry about the refresh rate as it will be 60Hz. Now if
you are in Europe your TV will use PAL and PAL operates with a resolution
close to 800x600 with 24bit color-so increase the screen res to 800x600 and
the color quality to 24bit which might be presented as True color. If you
are using NTSC format the above may work depending on the age of the TV
otherwise leave the resolution at 640x480 and just increase the color depth
to 24 or 32 bit. Hope it works

Chelsea

 

[Guest]

Your procedure to change the monitor is wrong: step c should be arrow key up
vs. down.

Why don't you just boot into safe mode and make the video setting change
there ??


MD

 

[Nick Charlton]

Because he said that didn't work