Safe Mode HELP!

[Heather]

Hello,

I wrote in here yesterday about my problem and got some
great feedback. I have tried a couple other things but
maybe I am doing them wrong. Here is my problem:

I was working on my computer a couple nights ago and I
thought my display settings were a little big. So I went
to the graphics display icon on the bottom taskbar (right
beside the time) and right clicked on it to change my
display settings (in true color) from 1152 x 864 to 1280
x 720. I have done this a million times before but for
some reason something happened this time.

As soon as I clicked on the 1280 x 720 option from the
menu, my screen went blank and all there was, was a
little blue box in the middle that says "Out of Range". I
could not do anything from that screen. No mouse, no
keyboard... nothing. I tried everything but I could not
get out. I rebooted my computer and it still didn't work
because when it is supposed to go to the blue Welcome
screen, all I would get is that "Out of Range" screen. I
unplugged and replugged my monitor, it still didn't work.
So I called some computer people and they said to press
F8 in start up and start my computer in safe mode so that
I can change the settings. But when I press F8, the usual
menu didn't come up. This is pretty much what came up.

"System restart has been paused:

Continue with System Restart
Skip system restart and proceed to System Boot"

Those are the only two options. Both do the same thing
and go to the "Out of Range" screen. I have pressed DEL
to go into settings during start up and I can't find
anything there. I have to reboot my computer everytime. I
can't get through the "Out of Range" screen. I guess the
display settings I wanted just didn't work. But now I
can't get it back. I can't even start my computer in safe
mode.

Now I was told in the newsgroups yesterday that I got
that one wrong menu because it was in hybernation mode...
which makes sense. But I can't get out of hybernation
mode because once my computer has started up and is
supposed to go to the welcome screen, all I see is
the "Out of Range" screen and the only way to start over
and try again is to reboot, which puts me into
hybernation mode. One lady said to hold down the power
button for like 5 seconds and it would reboot normally
instead of go into hybernation mode. Is that right?
Should my F8 work while booting up again after doing
that? Maybe I am doing it wrong. How do I get around if
the screen won't even let me see what I am doing??

And, while in hybernation mode when booting up, when
windows is resuming it gives my the option at the bottom
to "press F8 for options and settings" or something like
that. When I do, thats's when the wrong menu comes up.
But I remember when booting up normally, that screen
doesn't come on at all because it is not in hybernation.
So when does it give you the option to press F8? When do
I do it? Help!

Heather

P.S. Can someone give me the link to the help and support
newsgroup?

 

[R. McCarty]

It's a common pitfall with Resolutions and Refresh rates.
Out of Range - means that with your Refresh rate & chosen
Resolution, the monitor cannot work at that setting.

Try a Safe Mode VGA Mode boot. That should get you
back up and running to make Video and Monitor changes.
Make sure that your Monitor is a true Vendor/Model and
not the generic "Plug & Play monitor" driver.

 

[Steve Nielsen]

Heather, what about _Please keep it all in one thread_ don't you
understand? This is now the SIXTH thread you've started over this. Don't
you think it would be a LOT easier for you to find the answers you are
looking for without having to check six different threads? Can't you see
how much easier it would be for those trying to help you if they didn't
have to search through six different threads for the scattered
information you are supplying about your problem? Most won't bother to
look at them all in the first place and even if they did who is going to
be able to keep track of all the exchanged info when it's all over the
noewsgroup? You are shooting yourself in the foot here. I repeat, for
YOUR OWN sake:

KEEP IT ALL IN ONE THREAD PLEASE!!!!

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Phil]

As I and others said before, maybe not direct enough, you have to stop
rebooting the machine. You need to shut it down. When it boots up and the
screen finally says out of range, hold the power button in for 5-10 seconds
until the machine completely shuts down. Heck worst case, pull the power
cord from the wall and shut it down. Do not reboot cause you get caught in
the hibernation cycle. Once you get the computer to shut down correctly,
turn it back on and tap F8 until the boot menu comes up. Then go into safe
mode. If you can't get it to shut down, either do a repair install of xp or
format and reinstall xp.

 

[Guest]

What is VGA Mode boot and how do I do it? Where is my
refresh rate?

All I know is that I tried to change my display settings
with that icon by the time on the bottom tool b ar, I
didn't know there was a refreah rate..

 

[Guest]

I apologize. This was my first time on here yesterday and
I remember the newsgroup I had a my previous work I had
to start a new thread everytime. I will keep it all in
one today. I'm just looking for more answers. I need help

 

[Guest]

Okay I will try that once again. What is a repair
install? Will I lose any information?

 

[R. McCarty]

It's actual name is "Enable VGA Mode", which appears on the
safe mode menu screen.

 

[Guest]

Is "Enble VGA mode" a different option than "start up in
safe mode"? which one should I choose and what is the
biggest difference?

 

[Phil]

A repair install will reinstall windows fresh and reset your drivers(so it
should rest your refresh rate for your video card). You should not lose any
information, programs, or data. But backups are always a good idea. After
the repair install it should boot correctly.

 

[R. McCarty]

It is a different mode - When you are having Video issues,
VGA mode boots XP without your drivers. It's a way for
you to get XP up and running and make necessary changes
to drivers or settings and return to normal mode.

 

[Guest]

How do I conduct a repair install if I need to?

-----Original Message-----
A repair install will reinstall windows fresh and reset your drivers(so it
should rest your refresh rate for your video card). You should not lose any
information, programs, or data. But backups are always a good idea. After
the repair install it should boot correctly.




.

 

[Guest]

How do I return back to normal mode after doing that? So
VGA mode is a different option than safe mode? Wehen in
that mode, will I be able to shut down my computer from
the start menu and restart again in normal mode or do I
have to change back to normal mode somewhere else?

 

[R. McCarty]

Boot the computer to "Enable VGA Mode".
Go to Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs.
- Find your video driver package & uninstall
While in Control Panel, go to System, Hardware
Device Manager. Expand (Click +) besides Video
-Any devices listed, Right Click, Choose Uninstall
Reboot the Machine - It will re-detect your video card
Re-install the drivers
Go back to Device Manager and change your monitor
definition to the correct vendor/model.

 

[Guest]

Really? Okay... but shouldnt i just be able to change the
display settings in safe mode without me having to do
that uninstallation? If I enter in safe mode, doesn't
that enter in with a new resolution so that I can see
everything, and once I do I can change my resolution and
return to normal?

If I change my resolution in safe mode, does it stick
with it when I go back to normal mode?

 

[Phil]

Repair install:

Boot from the XP cd, and when prompted hit enter to begin setup. Press F8 to
accept the license agreement. It will then search and find your existing XP
install. Select it, and choose R for repair.

Note: you will have to re-install updates from windows update.

 

[R. McCarty]

You can try to change Resolution and Refresh in Safe
mode and reboot. If it works, all the better.

However, I've seen cases where the "Out of Range"
can only be resolved by removing the Driver and instance
in Device Manager. Then at reboot, XP will install it's
native drivers for the video card (If available) and set
Resolution and Refresh for a nominal value.

Try one, if it doesn't work then go for the second
process. Just remember that responders cannot see your
PC or know all the little quirks and things that contribute
to problems.

We're trying to analyze and diagnose based entirely on the
requesters descriptions and our own personal experiences
and knowledge (or lack thereof !)

 

[Guest]

Thank you, if any other solutions dont work I will try to
do the device one. I'm scared to do it though. So if I
uninstall it, windows will automatically re-install the
devices automattically? How does it know to set my
resolution back?

Where is the refresh rate again and what should it be?

Thank you so very much for your help!!!

 

[Steve Nielsen]

I apologize. This was my first time on here yesterday and
I remember the newsgroup I had a my previous work I had
to start a new thread everytime. I will keep it all in
one today. I'm just looking for more answers. I need help

No need to apologize. I know you need help, just trying to help you make
it easier for yourself to get that help. Instead of using the web
interface to access this newsgroup set up Outlook Express to do so.
Basic instructions here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=171164

but I suggest you use the newsserver address of

msnews.microsoft.com

rather than your ISP's newsserver address as indicated in the
instructions. Then find this group (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
subscribe to it and open it. It will be much easier to track threads
that way. Also do not use your real email address in the settings to
avoid getting spam, tojans and viruses sent to your inbox.

Steve

 

[Steve Nielsen]

How do I conduct a repair install if I need to?

Way overkill. Repair install is a last resort measure when all else
fails and you will need to re-install Service Packs and critical updates
if you do it. Follow R. McCarty's advice first.

Steve