black screen on login

watermelon · Post by **watermelon** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 1:45 pm

ive just come home from uni, and to save space in the car i decided to only bring my computer and not my moniter, and instead use my mums moniter.

however there seems to be a problem.

when i plug the moniter, which works fine on my mums comp, into mine, it displays the bios stuff and the windows logo loading screen, but then goes black and doesnt show anything when i reach the log-in screen.

the funny thing is that when i tried it yesterday it worked fine.

ive checked the plugs and wires, but theres is no damage, and im far more inclined to belive that it is a software preoblem, and not hardware.

google sadly turned up no answers.

can anyone help me with this problem? and does antyone know any forums more directed towards comp support that may be able to help moi.

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 1:52 pm

The screen res / refreshrate Windows is set to is probably too high for the monitor you're trying to use.

Try Safe Mode. (press F8 at startup) At least it will come up... And if you need networking? Safe Modewith Network Support. (You're just using Safe Mode to get Windows to use universally-compatible settings.)

If that doesn't work, ask the kindly folk at http://forums.thatcomputerguy.us

watermelon · Post by **watermelon** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 2:25 pm

thanks for your help, but theres still problems.

i entered safe mode, changed my resolution to 800x600 and then restarted. unfortunatly it didnt work.

it appears that the resolution in safe mode is 800x600 by defalt, and by changing it im only changin the res during safe mode.

any ideas?

sniper_spike · Post by **sniper_spike** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 2:31 pm

There's a certain point where you can enter the safemode menu, for me it's right after the BIOS info and right before the Boot Drive loads.

Post by **marshallh** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 2:31 pm

You need to hold down F8 right before the Windows logo normally comes up. You might have to get the timing right.
Then the computer may beep even after you finish holding down the button (this means the keyboard buffer is full) and then you can let go of it. I'd guess you couldn't use the arrow keys because the buffer was still full. Try waiting a while before using the keyboard after pressing f8.

watermelon · Post by **watermelon** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 2:58 pm

aha, well my safe mode problems are solved.

i can enter safe mode and use my computer fine, but i dont see how i can change the resolution so that it will change it permenantly outside of safe mode. so im still stuck.

at the moment, the res in safe mode seems locked at 800x600, i can move the slider, but it doesnt actually change the res.

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 6:26 pm

maybe if you completely uninstall and reinstall the drivers, it will reset to some default resolution...

you should update your drivers anyhow

paul4990 · Post by **paul4990** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 3:23 am

just get the monitor back again

watermelon · Post by **watermelon** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 9:03 am

i cant update my drivers because i cannot get past the black log-in screen.

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:08 am

in safe mode?

watermelon · Post by **watermelon** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:16 am

i cant connect to the internet in safe mode to download the drivers.

i also cant access the nvidia control optiopns, it simply wont open.

im think im screwed.

im getting an ipod for xmas, and if i cant get this working i cant put my music on it until i get this working.

Unidentified Assilant · Wed Dec 21, 2005 3:33 pm

Hold F8 at Boot-Up

Also, try Safe Mode with Networking, might allow Internet...

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 3:41 pm

Unidentified Assilant wrote:Hold F8 at Boot-Up

Also, try Safe Mode with Networking, might allow Internet...

Yeah it would. Do you have a friend with a monitor? Connect that one, download new drivers for the monitor that you have, install them, and change the resolution before changing monitors to yours.

I suppose you could use VNC to try to fix it.

Post by **Skyone** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 4:38 pm

If you have a good bios, you should be able to select Safe Mode with Networking at the F8 screen. If not, go into safe mode and remove the monitor/uninstall the drivers for your regular monitor. I hope I've helped.

watermelon · Post by **watermelon** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 12:04 pm

yet another problem has crept in.

now i cant enter safe mode. anyone have any ideas?