What the blazes? (Dead screen on startup)
Discussion
Have you been fiddling with video modes recently (screen resolution / colour depth etc), or maybe downloaded a new video driver? The fact that the screen works at all rules out a hardware issue and the fact that it works ok in Safe Mode indicates that the memory's ok (so don't bother fiddling with that!) and that the default video driver is ok.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Sure J.... If you boot off the W2K CD and repair your install, it will place the ORIGINAL W2K files back onto your laptop. Obviously since first installed your lappie has been service packed / hotfixed a few times so you will need to reapply the latest service pack for W2K (SP4 from memory), then get it on Windows Update and check if any hot fixes need applying. Then it will be bang up to date.
Another poster said check the memory / graphics card - guess they thought you had a desktop PC? I'd still be inclined to unscrew the memory cover under your lappie and check the RAM is secure. Although I'd have thought if you had a RAM issue, the laptop would not boot....
Greg
Plotloss said:
Right Click My Computer, Select Manage. (when you get home, obviously)
Anything in the system and application logs?
Errors or warnings specifically.
He can't see the screen

It sounds like the resolution is set to something the monitor can't display. Do you have another screen you can pop on it?
BliarOut said:
Plotloss said:
Right Click My Computer, Select Manage. (when you get home, obviously)
Anything in the system and application logs?
Errors or warnings specifically.
He can't see the screen![]()
It sounds like the resolution is set to something the monitor can't display. Do you have another screen you can pop on it?
Tsk, it comes up in safe mode...
Plotloss said:
BliarOut said:
Plotloss said:
Right Click My Computer, Select Manage. (when you get home, obviously)
Anything in the system and application logs?
Errors or warnings specifically.
He can't see the screen![]()
It sounds like the resolution is set to something the monitor can't display. Do you have another screen you can pop on it?
Tsk, it comes up in safe mode...
And helpfully safe mode doesn't set the main screen resolution these days.
Can you practice getting to the settings blind?
Press <windows>R type desk.cpl and hit enter.
Then practice the keystrokes to reset the resolution to how it is in safe mode. Tricky, but it can be done.
BliarOut said:
Plotloss said:
BliarOut said:
Plotloss said:
Right Click My Computer, Select Manage. (when you get home, obviously)
Anything in the system and application logs?
Errors or warnings specifically.
He can't see the screen![]()
It sounds like the resolution is set to something the monitor can't display. Do you have another screen you can pop on it?
Tsk, it comes up in safe mode...
And helpfully safe mode doesn't set the main screen resolution these days.
Can you practice getting to the settings blind?
Press <windows>R type desk.cpl and hit enter.
Then practice the keystrokes to reset the resolution to how it is in safe mode. Tricky, but it can be done.
No, but it would allow access to compmgmt.msc so you can see the logs...
Would Last Known Good Configuration help here?
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Hey, we're only trying to help mate 
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Maybe, maybe not. Depends if the res is too high for the monitor or not. However, if WinUpdate has screwed your display driver, it will still be the case if you plug in an external monitor.... anonymous said:
[redacted]
Yep.Just go into "safe mode" then click> My computer>control panel>add/remove programs.
Scroll down untill you see your graphics driver, and then uninstall it. (Make sure you have the driver cd or program to hand so you can re-install).
Then boot to windows normally and the screen should now work (and look a bit like it was in safe mode).
Then when windows comes up with the 'found new hardware box' press cancel.
Then when everythings settled down insert the driver cd and install graphics drivers, or run the graphics driver program on your pc if you have it.
Restart your pc and everything should be fine!
Failing that, check the make of your graphics card
(control panel>system>harware profiles/device manager) should come under something like 'vga adapters')
Then google it, and download the latest drivers which you can then install if the older ones arnt working anymore for some wierd reason!
>> Edited by Neezer on Monday 31st October 14:57
Scroll down untill you see your graphics driver, and then uninstall it. (Make sure you have the driver cd or program to hand so you can re-install).
Then boot to windows normally and the screen should now work (and look a bit like it was in safe mode).
Then when windows comes up with the 'found new hardware box' press cancel.
Then when everythings settled down insert the driver cd and install graphics drivers, or run the graphics driver program on your pc if you have it.
Restart your pc and everything should be fine!
Failing that, check the make of your graphics card
(control panel>system>harware profiles/device manager) should come under something like 'vga adapters')
Then google it, and download the latest drivers which you can then install if the older ones arnt working anymore for some wierd reason!
>> Edited by Neezer on Monday 31st October 14:57
pdV6 said:
I assumed that switching the output to the external video connector would be independent of Windows. It seems not...
It appears to be an IBM only "quirk" as I've not had it happen with any other brand


Pleased to hear it sorted it Bedford

- A
>> Edited by aranell on Wednesday 2nd November 16:10
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