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Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: JOLLYCORNER on July 23, 2008, 07:24:42 AM

Title: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: JOLLYCORNER on July 23, 2008, 07:24:42 AM
whilst trying to uppdate driver and adjust resolution (Unsuccessfully) I have made the following error
I went into
1 control panel
2 apprearance
3 display
4 settings
5 advanced
6 adaptor
7 properties
8 (THE BIG MISTAKE) DEVICE - I HAVE SELECTED DISABLE DEVICE
LEAVING ME WITH MY MONITOR DISABLED
Obviously i cannot see the screen to go back in and enable
HELP!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: Spoiler on July 23, 2008, 08:05:24 AM
What version of windows are you running?

Have you tried to start the machine in safe mode?

Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: JOLLYCORNER on July 23, 2008, 10:41:07 AM
I AM RUNNING WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION PACK 2
I HAVE TRIED SAFE MODE BUT IT FREEZES AFTER IT DISPLAYS A SCREEN FULL OF INFO
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: Dias de verano on July 23, 2008, 11:35:13 AM
How long are you waiting after it "freezes"? safe mode can take some minutes to boot.

Also, please read this

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,33323.0.html
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on July 23, 2008, 11:45:37 AM
No caps please.
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: JOLLYCORNER on July 23, 2008, 03:21:32 PM
I have tried starting in  safe mode many times now and it always freezes after 1st screen full of commands.  I realise it can take a while to load so i left it overnight but it was still in the same screen this morning
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on July 23, 2008, 03:35:36 PM
Is this a laptop or desktop?
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: drmsucks on July 23, 2008, 05:04:16 PM
I have looked briefly on the web: Good News = you are not the first to do this! :) Bad News = looks like a Windows re-install is necessary to fix it if you have a laptop. :(

If desktop, looks like you can install another video card (system now has two cards), make sure that the bootup video is properly selected in the BIOS, then re-enable the disabled card. Match the new card, of course, to an available motherboard slot.

Best of luck!
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: JOLLYCORNER on July 24, 2008, 02:37:37 AM
it not a laptop i have its a pc.  I know how to re-install windows because i have just done it. thats why i was having prob with the screen resolutions it re-installed and everything was a little larger than usual.  However can i R (repair from disc) or do I format and re-install.  I wouldnt no where 2 start with installing a card. thank you 4 ur help
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: dahlarbear on July 24, 2008, 02:53:14 AM
Bummer...  You're too fast for me...  The Hare and the Tortoise - so few of us remember who won the race!

----------
From the Tortoise:

Try Last Known Good Configuration.  I'm hoping the monitor device was enabled at your last successful normal boot and login.

Tap the F8 function key once per second or faster as you power up the system (or possibly restart it).  The Windows Advanced Options Menu should appear.  Use the up/down arrow keys of the keyboard to select the "Last Known Good Configuration" item and hit the Enter key.

This should boot your operating system normally using the previous registry settings for the last successful login (to normal mode - safe mode logins do not overwrite the registry settings for the last normal login).  With monitor device disabled in the current registry and your inability to login; the previous registry settings should still have monitor enabled.
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: JOLLYCORNER on July 24, 2008, 04:33:13 AM
thank u but i have already tried this.
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: drmsucks on July 24, 2008, 10:26:16 AM
I wouldnt no where 2 start with installing a card. thank you 4 ur help

May be best to take it to a repair shop. They'll have an extra video card lying around.

Best of luck!
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: Broni on July 24, 2008, 04:55:59 PM
If it freezes in Safe Mode, I suspect, on-board video is shot.
I believe, in Safe Mode, Windows should load all default devices, and drivers, so even if monitor was disabled in Normal Mode, it should work in Safe Mode.
Borrow video card from a friend.
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: Fed on July 24, 2008, 05:06:28 PM
Something strange about this, have you been playing around with your bios settings?
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: drmsucks on July 24, 2008, 05:19:49 PM
If it freezes in Safe Mode, I suspect, on-board video is shot.
I believe, in Safe Mode, Windows should load all default devices, and drivers, so even if monitor was disabled in Normal Mode, it should work in Safe Mode.
Borrow video card from a friend.

He disabled his 'video device' - therefore, it won't fire up, even in Safe Mode.

This appears to be consistent with the experience of others with the same problem.

Another card in the same slot will also not power on - he needs to add a second card. Then, when he can 'see,' correct his error.
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: dahlarbear on July 24, 2008, 09:38:57 PM
You could boot to Recovery Console and either try to enable display device or jump through a lot of hoops trying to restore registry to a point before you disabled the display.  While I haven't personally used either of those methods, they look promising.

It worked for Ryan Lowe per Adventures in Disabling VgaSave (http://www.ryanlowe.ca/blog/archives/001050_adventures_in_disabling_vgasave.php).  From within Recovery Console enter the following command, then exit and reboot (normal, safe mode, whatever works):
    enable vgasave SERVICE_SYSTEM_START

or possibly:
    enable VgaSave SERVICE_BOOT_START

The Recovery Console does not provide direct access to System Restore Points.  If you're interested, someone would have to provide instructions off the internet.
    Running System Restore from the Recovery Console (well, sort of) (http://searchwincomputing.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid68_gci1167895,00.html)

Recovery Console is usually accessed from either the Windows XP Installation CD or a set of six floppy disks (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q310994) that may be downloaded from Microsoft.  The Recovery Console media you use should match the current system on your computer; i.e. Home Edition or Professional, Original, SP1, SP2, SP3.  In your case, I guess it's Windows XP Home Edition SP2.

For minimal instructions on starting and using Recovery Console see:
    The Recovery Console in Windows XP (http://commandwindows.com/recovery.htm)
    Recovery Console Commands (http://commandwindows.com/recovery-console-commands.htm)
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: JOLLYCORNER on July 25, 2008, 03:46:14 PM
thanks for all the advise (by the way i am a she).  Will it work if i format c and reload xp?
 
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: nothlit on July 25, 2008, 04:04:23 PM
thanks for all the advise (by the way i am a she).  Will it work if i format c and reload xp?
 

Yes assuming like someone else said the video isn't shot, but that probably is not the case. Reloading Windows would cause the changes you made to revert back, but then you would lose everything.
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: dahlarbear on July 26, 2008, 04:01:22 AM
Boot to Windows XP Recovery Console and enable the basic display driver.  When you exit from Recovery Console, the computer should reboot.  Hopefully, you would then be able to boot into Windows (either normal or Safe Mode) with a usable display.  Then someone will guide you through updating the display driver and setting the display properties to what you want.

Did Ryan Lowe's Adventures in Disabling VgaSave (http://www.ryanlowe.ca/blog/archives/001050_adventures_in_disabling_vgasave.php) not capture your imagination?  Where's your sense of adventure?  Spread your wings...  Take a chance...  This could work...  It worked for Ryan.

The Recovery Console media you use needs to match your current operating system and service pack level (which you've reported as Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2).  You may use either a Windows XP Home Edition SP2 installation CD or the appropriate six volume floppy set downloaded from Microsoft.  See the links in my previous post.  An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Recovery/Restore CD will not cut it.
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: JOLLYCORNER on July 27, 2008, 07:29:25 AM
thank you for all that advise I have tried recovery and the commands offered but no joy.

I can format and reinstall if it will fix, I have all my data backed up on exteranl HD
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: Broni on July 27, 2008, 09:33:57 AM
Try repair, first: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: chocofudge on September 15, 2008, 05:58:56 AM
You could boot to Recovery Console and either try to enable display device or jump through a lot of hoops trying to restore registry to a point before you disabled the display.  While I haven't personally used either of those methods, they look promising.

It worked for Ryan Lowe per Adventures in Disabling VgaSave (http://www.ryanlowe.ca/blog/archives/001050_adventures_in_disabling_vgasave.php).  From within Recovery Console enter the following command, then exit and reboot (normal, safe mode, whatever works):
    enable vgasave SERVICE_SYSTEM_START

or possibly:
    enable VgaSave SERVICE_BOOT_START

The Recovery Console does not provide direct access to System Restore Points.  If you're interested, someone would have to provide instructions off the internet.
    Running System Restore from the Recovery Console (well, sort of) (http://searchwincomputing.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid68_gci1167895,00.html)

Recovery Console is usually accessed from either the Windows XP Installation CD or a set of six floppy disks (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q310994) that may be downloaded from Microsoft.  The Recovery Console media you use should match the current system on your computer; i.e. Home Edition or Professional, Original, SP1, SP2, SP3.  In your case, I guess it's Windows XP Home Edition SP2.

For minimal instructions on starting and using Recovery Console see:
    The Recovery Console in Windows XP (http://commandwindows.com/recovery.htm)
    Recovery Console Commands (http://commandwindows.com/recovery-console-commands.htm)


hi! im experiencing the same problem,i was searching the net for help,and i stumbled on your site,thank God for guys like you,always ready to help, but unfortunately,i tried doing this but my screen is still black, i dont know what to do anymore,should i reformat and just install everything back? hope you guys can help me out too....ty,i'd appreciate it!
Title: Re: disable monitor by mistake (Help)
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on September 15, 2008, 06:09:59 AM
Chocofudge, please start a new topic to get better replies:
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?action=post;board=5.0