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sally_mariaWhich was what I was planning on writing.
Since I've succeeded in putting the parent's PC into a coma, if not killing it, I feel far too guilty to do such a thing.
We decided that they needed a new monitor, as the old one was getting rather temperamental and so we bought one today. It worked absolutely fine, but since it was widescreen the computer wasn't running at the right resolution. After a significant battle with trying to download the right driver from the LG website, I hit on the bright idea of disabling the graphics adapter, which only specified certain, non widescreen, resolutions. But then the PC would only run at 640x480 and I went a little nuts. I jumped to the peculiar conclusion that disabling the default set-up would bring the graphics adapter back, forgetting all about system restore points. In fact, all it did was prevent Windows from displaying anything at all.
This is no doubt a clever way of disabling a PC owned by someone you don't like, but in my case is distinctly irritating. The monitor is still working, as evidenced by the fact that the Windows loading screens work fine, but then no desktop appears. :-( So, of course, I can't run a system restore to get everything back. I don't have a restore disc, as this is an old PC that originally ran Windows ME, and we can't find the Windows XP disc anywhere. All indications are that everything else is fine, but of course with no display, it's a little difficult to do anything.
I'm feeling very stupid. Obviously this is one of those setting they don't expect people to fiddle with, and I know just enough to be dangerous.
Since I've succeeded in putting the parent's PC into a coma, if not killing it, I feel far too guilty to do such a thing.
We decided that they needed a new monitor, as the old one was getting rather temperamental and so we bought one today. It worked absolutely fine, but since it was widescreen the computer wasn't running at the right resolution. After a significant battle with trying to download the right driver from the LG website, I hit on the bright idea of disabling the graphics adapter, which only specified certain, non widescreen, resolutions. But then the PC would only run at 640x480 and I went a little nuts. I jumped to the peculiar conclusion that disabling the default set-up would bring the graphics adapter back, forgetting all about system restore points. In fact, all it did was prevent Windows from displaying anything at all.
This is no doubt a clever way of disabling a PC owned by someone you don't like, but in my case is distinctly irritating. The monitor is still working, as evidenced by the fact that the Windows loading screens work fine, but then no desktop appears. :-( So, of course, I can't run a system restore to get everything back. I don't have a restore disc, as this is an old PC that originally ran Windows ME, and we can't find the Windows XP disc anywhere. All indications are that everything else is fine, but of course with no display, it's a little difficult to do anything.
I'm feeling very stupid. Obviously this is one of those setting they don't expect people to fiddle with, and I know just enough to be dangerous.
no subject
Date: 2007-12-29 09:00 pm (UTC)Is the graphics card a plug in card? If it is try unplugging it, booting Windows, letting Windows get all unhappy about no graphics card, powering down, plugging it back in and booting up again. You might be able to disable the graphics in the bios, booting, and then re-enabling it again.
Also have you tried Safe Mode?
If neither of those work, once you find the XP install disc try repairing the Windows installation. Once you have got it back working again I would suggest backing everything up from it and doing a clean install. From experience upgrading is never as good as it ought to be.
Best of luck! :-)
no subject
Date: 2007-12-30 12:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-30 11:31 am (UTC)On the other hand, the system boots fine from a Knoppix Live CD, so hopefully I haven't done any irretrievable damage, if someone has a Windows CD.
no subject
Date: 2007-12-30 11:29 am (UTC)Thanks for the advice - I strongly suspect that the Windows XP disc would solve the problem, if I could find it. Since I haven't had it for several years, that may be unlikely - I think the PC will be taking a trip to our friendly neighbourhood repair shop.