Standard VGA driver disabled = no monitor

[Annabananamc]

Hello:

I was trying to install a new video driver for our org's computer and in the
process I disabled the standard vga driver through the control panel. Now my
computer will boot just fine, XP logo screen shows up then goes black. I get
the nice sounds that a boot was successful, but have no video at all - just
charcoal colored screen.

I tried booting in safe mode, but it hangs after '...installing mup.sys...
or something like that. Can anyone help? (maybe if I could memorize the
keystrokes to enable the driver that would work - lol) I'm desperate - we're
a small non-profit and I've rendered our only computer useless!

 

[R. McCarty]

Did you try 2 of the Safe Mode boot optional mode(s):
Last Known working configuration
Enable VGA mode

 

[Annabananamc]

yes, same thing - I also tried booting in debug mode. and with command
prompt. I think the problem is that with VGA mode, that is the driver I
disabled. We don't have a video card on this pc, so that is really the only
driver that could work.

I just don't know where to go next with this one....

isn't there a way to boot where you step through the driver loading one line
at a time?

 

[R. McCarty]

You may want to try the procedure in this KB article.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449
*Hopefully your machine has and is using System Restore

 

[Annabananamc]

Thanks, I'll try that. I do not know about the System Restore as this was a
donated computer and the donor has no clue about anything (sometimes free is
VERY expensive!)

I was able to get into repair mode/command prompt so at least I have some
access to the disk drive. Not that I know what to do with it - lol

<rant>I am about ready to throw in the towel. I actually used to know a lot
about computers - CS degree and working on them since 1980, but XP has just
about wiped out any confidence I had in understanding what is going on.
</rant>

 

[Annabananamc]

ok, now I can navigate to this directory

systemroot\system32\restore

and I can see this file in there

rstrui.exe

but how do I get it to run? If I type rstrui.exe or run rstrui I get a
command unknown message....

 

[sgopus]

using command shell you would have to change to that directory in order to
run the exe.

ie run cmd cd/ yadda yadda yadda

 

[Annabananamc]

well poop - I wasn't really in the command shell, I was in the Recovery
Console from my install CD....

I think I'm going to need a break here. I am fairly certain that what I
need to do is re-enable the standard VGA driver but have no clue where to
start and I'm driving blind. Hope I can find a way to do this from the
Recovery Console or something else.

Thanks for being so patient with me - any additional ideas are welcome!

 

[3c273]

See if this page helps. You should be able to type "enable vga" at the
recovery console but I'm not sure this will undo your mistake.
Louis

 

[3c273]

Oops! Forgot link
http://www.elitesolutions.info/SmarterTicket/Customer/KBArticle.aspx?articleid=292
Louis

 

[Annabananamc]

Thanks - this I think is heading in the right direction. However, I could
not enable vga as a service because it couldn't find it in the registry,
which is probably my main problem.

I'm about to go buy a video card for this thing and see if it hiccups me
into plug n play mode and lets me reset the video driver....unless anyone has
a better idea!

You guys are so helpful, I am really appreciative, just a bit cranky about
this whole thing in general.

 

[John John (MVP)]

If you really think that a disabled driver is the problem then from the
Recovery Console use the the LISTSVC command to see available drivers
and services and use the ENABLE command to enable services or drivers.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

John

 

[Annabananamc]

"John John (MVP)" wrote:
Thanks John:

When I do this, there is no service called vga listed. It's just not there.
From what I've read, it should be. There really isn't any other video
related service listed, except SafeVga, and that is enabled.

I cannot even boot in safe mode, it hangs. I cannot do any of those options
(safe mode w/command prompt, etc)

I tried adding a PCI video card and same problem. I got a new sound, the
found new hardware sound, but can't see to work through that either.

Some day I will learn to trust that little 'are you sure?' feeling BEFORE I
hit the button!

I am hoping we can get to some restore point with some whiz bangy utilities.

Thanks again,
Ann

 

[sgopus]

Try a repair install, it should do the trick, boot to the windows install cd
and select repair (at the proper time).