Blank monitor

mdiekmann · 06-05-2009, 08:44 AM

A few weeks back I reinstalled Windows, and when it was finished the resolution was messed up. It looked like I had started Windows in Safe Mode, but I hadn't.
I tried to change the resolution back to normal in the control panel, but it wouldn't let me. My girlfriend tinkered with the computer for a bit and somehow ended up changing the resolution to a higher setting. However the color was weird.
I then rebooted the computer, and now the monitor will show the Windows start up logo, but after that I get nothing, but black. However, it sounds like the computer tower is still working. This happens every time I turn the computer on.
I've tried starting it in Safe Mode and enabling VGA mode, but the screen just ends up going blank. In fact, I've tried running every option that safe mode offers, but still nothing.
I've tried totally replacing the monitor with a newer one that we had lying around, but that didn't work.
I've tried taking out the video card and plugging it back in, and that did not work either.
Does anyone have any idea of how I can solve this problem? I don't really have the money or time to take it in some place to have it looked at. Any help is appreciated.

**manic** · 06-05-2009, 12:11 PM

Go into safe mode and set your resolution down, the monitor or the
vid card probably cant handle the size.
You need to install mobo drivers. Then video drivers...
So your still running win98? Going to get harder and harder to keep
that O/S running....

mdiekmann · 06-08-2009, 08:25 AM

I've tried that several times. The screen will show the safe mode menu, but once you select it, it goes blank. I can't download any drivers either because it's kind of hard to see them with no screen.

**OldGrayGary** · 06-10-2009, 01:28 AM

Hi all

Just in case:

If the system happens to have both an onboard video VGA connector (one built into the motherboard) and an add-on AGP (or PCI) video card, try:

1) power off & unplug the system.
2) remove the AGP (or PCI) card. (& plug the monitor cable into the onboard VGA connector)
3) reboot, but immediately enter Bios Setup during power-on [press the key or key-combo mentioned in the banner message or splash screen as the computer is starting "Press F1 (or F2, F10, Del, Esc, ...etc.) to Enter Setup"
4) in the Bios Setup screens, look for an entry to enable the onboard (or "integrated") video - and set it to Enabled. There may or may not be such an entry.
5) Exit Saving Changes.
6) test to see if the monitor displays OK with the onboard. Later on, you can replace & reinstall the add-on video card.

____________

If the system does not have onboard video:
1) Borrow or make a bootable CD (any sort, a Knoppix Live CD would be easy, or a UBCD) and test if the monitor displays OK when booted from a CD. If not, the video card may have failed to some degree.
2) Test things with another video card. All cards should be able to display a standard VGA screen in Safe Mode - it's the lowest common denominator of video functionality.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

06-05-2009, 08:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
mdiekmann Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2 OS: win98	Blank monitor A few weeks back I reinstalled Windows, and when it was finished the resolution was messed up. It looked like I had started Windows in Safe Mode, but I hadn't. I tried to change the resolution back to normal in the control panel, but it wouldn't let me. My girlfriend tinkered with the computer for a bit and somehow ended up changing the resolution to a higher setting. However the color was weird. I then rebooted the computer, and now the monitor will show the Windows start up logo, but after that I get nothing, but black. However, it sounds like the computer tower is still working. This happens every time I turn the computer on. I've tried starting it in Safe Mode and enabling VGA mode, but the screen just ends up going blank. In fact, I've tried running every option that safe mode offers, but still nothing. I've tried totally replacing the monitor with a newer one that we had lying around, but that didn't work. I've tried taking out the video card and plugging it back in, and that did not work either. Does anyone have any idea of how I can solve this problem? I don't really have the money or time to take it in some place to have it looked at. Any help is appreciated.

06-05-2009, 12:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,238 OS: xp	Re: Blank monitor Go into safe mode and set your resolution down, the monitor or the vid card probably cant handle the size. You need to install mobo drivers. Then video drivers... So your still running win98? Going to get harder and harder to keep that O/S running.... __________________

06-08-2009, 08:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
mdiekmann Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2 OS: win98	Re: Blank monitor I've tried that several times. The screen will show the safe mode menu, but once you select it, it goes blank. I can't download any drivers either because it's kind of hard to see them with no screen.

06-10-2009, 01:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: Blank monitor Hi all Just in case: If the system happens to have both an onboard video VGA connector (one built into the motherboard) and an add-on AGP (or PCI) video card, try: 1) power off & unplug the system. 2) remove the AGP (or PCI) card. (& plug the monitor cable into the onboard VGA connector) 3) reboot, but immediately enter Bios Setup during power-on [press the key or key-combo mentioned in the banner message or splash screen as the computer is starting "Press F1 (or F2, F10, Del, Esc, ...etc.) to Enter Setup" 4) in the Bios Setup screens, look for an entry to enable the onboard (or "integrated") video - and set it to Enabled. There may or may not be such an entry. 5) Exit Saving Changes. 6) test to see if the monitor displays OK with the onboard. Later on, you can replace & reinstall the add-on video card. ____________ If the system does not have onboard video: 1) Borrow or make a bootable CD (any sort, a Knoppix Live CD would be easy, or a UBCD) and test if the monitor displays OK when booted from a CD. If not, the video card may have failed to some degree. 2) Test things with another video card. All cards should be able to display a standard VGA screen in Safe Mode - it's the lowest common denominator of video functionality. Best of luck . . . Gary __________________ Last edited by OldGrayGary; 06-10-2009 at 01:29 AM.