Windows Xp screen resolution problem

[Guest]

My son recently changed the resolution settings some how on our windows xp
laptop with service pack 2. When starting the computer after the windows
splash screen, the monitor goes black. I can press enter after a little bit
when I know it is asking for user log in and it boots up but still have a
black screen. I have tried to boot with the last known good configuration
and the same thing happens, I get a black screen. I have also tried
connecting an external monitor and it goes black at the same place. I have
tried the function keys with the external monitor setting and that isn't it

I went into safe mode and changed the monitor settings and when I restart on
a normal boot nothing has changed.

I also used the vga mode during boot up and this also worked but I couldn't
adjust any monitor settings for the normal boot.

I am using administrator rights when making adjustments

Is there some way of correcting this?

Thanks for any help!!
Craig

 

[Patrick Keenan]

My son recently changed the resolution settings some how on our windows xp
laptop with service pack 2. When starting the computer after the windows
splash screen, the monitor goes black. I can press enter after a little
bit
when I know it is asking for user log in and it boots up but still have a
black screen. I have tried to boot with the last known good configuration
and the same thing happens, I get a black screen. I have also tried
connecting an external monitor and it goes black at the same place. I
have
tried the function keys with the external monitor setting and that isn't
it

I went into safe mode and changed the monitor settings and when I restart
on
a normal boot nothing has changed.

I also used the vga mode during boot up and this also worked but I
couldn't
adjust any monitor settings for the normal boot.

I am using administrator rights when making adjustments

Is there some way of correcting this?

Thanks for any help!!
Craig

Often if the screen has gone black in this situation it's because the
screen resolution and refresh rate have been set outside the monitor's
capabilities. VGA mode *is* otherwise regular mode ("normal boot"),
just with a VGA driver, and the settings you make there should have effect
on reboot, possibly immediately.

It seems that you *can* get into the system in regular mode VGA, so if the
changes you make in the display applet aren't held, go to Device Manager and
delete the display adapter and monitor entries. This should force you (may
be automatic) to reload the display adapter and monitor drivers, and leave
you with very generic settings that are within the capabilities of the
hardware.

HTH
-pk

 

[Patrick Keenan]

My son recently changed the resolution settings some how on our windows xp
laptop with service pack 2. When starting the computer after the windows
splash screen, the monitor goes black. I can press enter after a little
bit
when I know it is asking for user log in and it boots up but still have a
black screen. I have tried to boot with the last known good configuration
and the same thing happens, I get a black screen. I have also tried
connecting an external monitor and it goes black at the same place. I
have
tried the function keys with the external monitor setting and that isn't
it

I went into safe mode and changed the monitor settings and when I restart
on
a normal boot nothing has changed.

I also used the vga mode during boot up and this also worked but I
couldn't
adjust any monitor settings for the normal boot.

I am using administrator rights when making adjustments

Is there some way of correcting this?

Thanks for any help!!
Craig

.... and also, if possible, while in VGA mode, try a System Restore point
from just before the problem appeared.

HTH
-pk