Problem booting computer with windows 2000

[Epetruk]

Hello,

I have a computer which has windows 2000 installed. When I boot it up, the
normal screens appear up to the point where the Windows 2000 banner appears.
Then the screen goes blank, the monitor light starts to blink, and nothing I
do can cause it to come back on.

The computer does work - I find that I can go into Safe Mode and see
everything on the screen. I searched online for a solution to my problem -
one post seemed to suggest that perhaps the monitor couldn't handle the
refresh rate that Windows 2000 chooses for it on start up. However, I can't
find where I might adjust this value to a mor e suitable value for the
monitor.

Any help will be gratefully received.

 

[seth]

start -> settings -> control panel -> display properties -> settings
could be the refresh rate or the resolution is too high

 

[Glen]

And if that doesn't work, boot into Safe Mode and uninstall any
existing video drivers via Add/Remove Programs (most video
drivers will have an entry here).

 

[Epetruk]

Seth,

Thank you for your answer. Unfortunately, I cannot do this.

If I try booting in regular mode, the monitor blanks out, so I cannot see
the screen to change the settings.

If I try booting in safe mode, I only see a 'default refresh rate' setting
which cannot be changed.

Any further ideas?

Akin

 

[Epetruk]

Glen,

Did you mean Add/Remove Hardware instead of Add/Remove Programs?

Akin

 

[DL]

Add/Remove Programs

Glen,

Did you mean Add/Remove Hardware instead of Add/Remove Programs?

Akin

up,

 

[seth]

try this...
boot in safe mode, open explorer and open the c:\boot.ini file
it's possible the file is read-only; right click the file and go to
properties. uncheck the read-only box if it is checked
open the file, and you'll see a line that starts with multi(0) etc.
select that line and copy it. (edit -> copy)
at the end of the line, press enter and paste (edit -> paste) what you just
copied. you should have 2 identical lines
on the line you just pasted, make 2 changes. where it says in quotes
"windows 2000 professional" insert -VGA so it reads "windows 2000
professional -VGA"
then at the end of the line add (this time without the quotes) /basevideo
/sos
at the very top where it says timeout, make sure the value is at least 30,
that way you have a chance to make a selection
reboot normally, and you should receive a startup menu. select the second
option which says "windows 2000 professional -VGA"
the /basevideo switch tells windows to use the standard vga driver. when you
select it, you will also see the list of drivers being loaded (from the /sos
switch)
this is different from safe mode, so you should have a better chance of
changing your video driver

more information about the /basevideo switch can be found here:

Available switch options for the Windows 2000 Boot.ini file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/833722/en-us

 

[Gary Chanson]

When Win2K starts to load, press F8 to bring up the boot menu and select
"Start in VGA Mode". After booting, you should be able to set the video to a
reasonable setting and then reboot into the normal video mode.

 

[Epetruk]

Thanks Gary - that fixed it.

When Win2K starts to load, press F8 to bring up the boot menu and select
"Start in VGA Mode". After booting, you should be able to set the video to a
reasonable setting and then reboot into the normal video mode.