Computer Help
Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:09 pm
Normally, I'd be able to fix all issues with my computer, but I am completely stuck in a hole with this one.
OK, so this morning I turn on my computer. At first, I didn't notice anything odd except the fact that my dual monitor setup was duplicating the same thing (during Windows startup) on each monitor. Since I have dual monitors set to extend my desktop, one would show just the background and the other would have my Windows login dialog box, etc.
So when I booted into Windows, not only was my resolution changed to a lower one, I got a dialog box that said my ATI Control Panel could not be initialized because the ATI Drivers could not be found or were not installed.
Now, this is odd because last night everything was working fine.
I've attempted to reinstall my ATI Drivers three times, with no luck. I'm going to reinstall my motherboard drivers to see if it is a problem with the AGP drivers on the motherboard, but I have a feeling it won't help.
Windows says it loaded the device (Radeon 9600 Pro), but it cannot find the hardware itself. As of now I'm running with the default VGA Windows Driver since the card isn't being recognized with the ATI Driver's.
Any thoughts?
OK, so this morning I turn on my computer. At first, I didn't notice anything odd except the fact that my dual monitor setup was duplicating the same thing (during Windows startup) on each monitor. Since I have dual monitors set to extend my desktop, one would show just the background and the other would have my Windows login dialog box, etc.
So when I booted into Windows, not only was my resolution changed to a lower one, I got a dialog box that said my ATI Control Panel could not be initialized because the ATI Drivers could not be found or were not installed.
Now, this is odd because last night everything was working fine.
I've attempted to reinstall my ATI Drivers three times, with no luck. I'm going to reinstall my motherboard drivers to see if it is a problem with the AGP drivers on the motherboard, but I have a feeling it won't help.
Windows says it loaded the device (Radeon 9600 Pro), but it cannot find the hardware itself. As of now I'm running with the default VGA Windows Driver since the card isn't being recognized with the ATI Driver's.
Any thoughts?
Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:11 pm
Bad video card? Do you have another one you can try?
Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:12 pm
Originally posted by MMmmGood
Bad video card? Do you have another one you can try?
Not one that I can just rip out of another computer.
Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:32 pm
format C:\ if chipset drivers dont work 
Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:37 pm
Originally posted by MMmmGood
Bad video card? Do you have another one you can try?
yep, sounds to me like a vid card going bad too.
do you have another computer that you can try your vid
card in?
You might try unseating your card cleaning the dust balls out
and reinstalling the card.
good luck
Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:37 pm
Sounds like a bad video card, Evan. Make sure it is in the slot all the way.
Tue Aug 10, 2004 4:32 pm
Might be a dying HD too, could be corrupting data in wierd spots of windows, including drivers. Not as likely as the vid card, but also a poss.....
third option might be the board itself, but this is even less likely (although trying another card would confirm that).
third option might be the board itself, but this is even less likely (although trying another card would confirm that).
Tue Aug 10, 2004 4:33 pm
I'm going to attempt reinstalling Windows.
Tue Aug 10, 2004 4:44 pm
Ya know after seeing how the rest of the world lives while on vacation I thought they were slow and backwards. After coming back to work today and finding my sprint service destroyed which basically crippled my ability to do my job and having my work load doubled due to people being out of the office I can safely say you should pick the pc up and throw it out the %*&^ window.
Life is too short. Move to The islands or Europe were work is designed to allow life not life distorted to accommodate work. I think you'll find you'll enjoy yourself much more.
Life is too short. Move to The islands or Europe were work is designed to allow life not life distorted to accommodate work. I think you'll find you'll enjoy yourself much more.
Tue Aug 10, 2004 4:46 pm
Umm. OK Havoc. lol
Tue Aug 10, 2004 9:33 pm
Bullhead's suggestion is a good one. Could be your hard drive. I would recommend deleting all video drivers and rebooting. Start up in VGA mode and choose the correct drivers.
You must delete the video drivers before you reboot. Simply reloading new drivers will not work.
So in conclusion.
Delete, reboot, reinstall drivers.
If this fails to work... THEN I might try reinstalling the OS. I've had a lot of exp with video drivers. I would hate for you to reformat/reinstall your OS just because of video drivers.
Good luck.
You must delete the video drivers before you reboot. Simply reloading new drivers will not work.
So in conclusion.
Delete, reboot, reinstall drivers.
If this fails to work... THEN I might try reinstalling the OS. I've had a lot of exp with video drivers. I would hate for you to reformat/reinstall your OS just because of video drivers.
Good luck.
Tue Aug 10, 2004 10:32 pm
Well he could boot into safe mode after the removal of the vid drivers and he could run driver cleaner before the boot and subsequent reinstallation ... hopefully heat wasn't a factor...
but I'm going to stand by my "coconut stand and golf cart rental on Walkers Cay" as the best solution.
but I'm going to stand by my "coconut stand and golf cart rental on Walkers Cay" as the best solution.