This has happened twice now, and I can't seem to fix it. All the settings on the monitor have changed. I turned the computer on one day and the screen was all goofy, so I tried using the controls on the monitor to set things right and I wasn't able to fix it, but my son did. Then, same thing the next time we turned it on, and my fiddling only made it worse. I read some things about it and changed the display settings to 1024 x 728, which seems to have fixed the problem, except all the icons, start button, etc, are really small. If I put the display settings back to where they were the icons are normal, but the problem still exists. I also ran a 'check volume for error' and it said that it had detected a problem, it had shut down windows to prevent damage to my computer, and to remove any new hard/software. I have not added anything to my computer. It also said to disable caching and shadowing, and to put it into safe mode, if needed, by pressing F8, which I tried but nothing happened, it just loaded normally. It also recommended that I install any MS updates, and after 1 1/2 hours of that, none of the updates installed. HELP!
I suggest we start by looking at your display settings:
Right click on an unused portion of your Desktop
Select "properties". This will open the "Display Properties" window.
Click the "settings" tab
Look under "color"
What setting is showing? If it isn't already set, can you change it to "True Color (32-bit)?
If so, do that.
Then try to drag the slider bar under "Screen Area" to 800 X 600.
Click OK. You may have to restart the computer complete the change.
After restart, check if the settings helped. It may be necessary to reset the controls on the front of monitor at this point, then restart the computer again to see if the settings remain constant (don't revert again).
If the preceding steps did not help, go back to the Display Properties window.
Click Settings, then click the "Advanced" tab and then the "adapter" tab. What is the name of the adapter? It will be something like "Rage Turbo agp 2X".
If you can adjust the "Refresh" rate, set "Optimal".
Next, click the "Monitor" tab. Is the monitor showing the correct monitor? Look for a make/model label on your monitor and see if it is correct. If not, click the "change" button and see if you can set the correct monitor.
Different systems have different procedures for doing this, so it is difficult to give you precise steps without knowing what system you have.
If nothing here helps, it may be necessary to reinstall your display adapter driver software. You may find an updated display driver at the computer maker's Website.
Please respond with the make and model of your computer as well as the operating system you're running (Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows XP, etc.) Also the make/model of your monitor and the display adapter name you found in the Display Properties window.
I hope something here helps!
Dwight
Posts: 4347 | Location: Anchorage, AK | Registered: 06-05-02
Hi Dwight, sorry if forgot the details. I have winxp, home, Dell Dimension 4400 Dell monitor E771a, when I click driver details it says,'no drivers are required or have been loaded for this device.' It is set to true bit 32 colors, and 800x600 the options for refresh rate are, 60, 75 85 or 100 hertz, no choice called optimal. Adapter is 16MB ATI Rage 128 Ultra.
My son used the computer last night and left it running. While he was using it the monitor was fine, but he left it running all night. When I came down to use it this am, the screen was distorted. I shut it down and it is back to normal. But this happens all the time.
Also, when I ran the chkdsk, included in the error message that I posted with my question was this, right at the beginning of the message--Driver IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, then the message about detecting a problem, etc. I did install some updates from MS last night,successfully, but they didn't help.
If the link doesn't work correctly, you can get there by going to http://dell.com then "Support" and enter your service tag number. Then go to the downloads section and look for the ATI Rage 128 Ultra 16MB driver download.
I think this should correct the problem, but if it doesn't, post back and we'll try a different solution.
By the way, to start your computer in "Safe Mode", restart your computer. Immediately after you hear the *P.O.S.T beep, repeatedly press the F8 key. You should see a Windows Start-up Menu. Select the "Safe Mode" Option. Use your "arrow" keys on your keyboard to scroll to the "Safe Mode" option, then when it is selected, press the "Enter" key.
Safe Mode is a special diagnostic mode of Windows that runs the computer with a minimal amount of drivers and devices, so you can troubleshoot problems.
*Power On Self Test
Dwight
Posts: 4347 | Location: Anchorage, AK | Registered: 06-05-02
