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Topic: Accidentally disabled VGA |
Jason Hull
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Posted 7 Oct 2011 3:42 am |
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I was trying to remove a dual-monitor PCI card from my computer, and return it to a normal monitor setup. Somehow I disabled my VGA and get a blank screen when Windows opens. I've tried using Narrator to guide me through the enabling process with no luck. I just turned my computer into a doorstop! 
I'm on my laptop now, and I've wondered if I could connect it to my desktop via serial cable and use it to change settings or run a system restore.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 7 Oct 2011 4:55 am
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Boot up Windows in safe mode. It uses the basic VGA mode of the video rather than a Windows driver and some other mode.
You should be able to correct it in the Safe Mode and/or reload the driver.
To access Safe Mode, press F8 BEFORE Windows starts to load. Select Safe Mode from the list of options. There is also a "last known good configuration" and I don't know if that will fix it or not. |
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Jason Hull
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Posted 7 Oct 2011 5:44 am
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I've already tried that. The computer locks up in Safe mode. VGA mode, and last-known-good-configuration mode, don't change anything.   |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 7 Oct 2011 7:30 am
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As you removed (or tried) to remove the PCI Video Card, does that mean you have an "integrated" Video on the motherboard and you want to use that? If that is the case it may need enabling in the BIOS.
Different "F Keys" access the BIOS depending on the PC. F2 on Dell's, F1 or F8 or F12 on some others. |
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Jason Hull
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Posted 7 Oct 2011 9:07 am
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Yes, I removed the card and want to use the motherboard video.
I'll try accessing the BIOS. Thanks! |
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Jason Hull
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Posted 7 Oct 2011 9:24 am
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| I accessed the BIOS, but I'm not sure what to do there. It appears that the only choice I have is either AGP and PCI. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 7 Oct 2011 10:46 am
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| AGP or PCI, obviously this is an old PC. AGP would be a separate "AGP" (connector) Video Card and PCI would be a separate "PCI" (connector) Video Card. If that is the only options you have, it sounds like there is no built on the motherboard video and you would need either an AGP or PCI Video card? |
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Jason Hull
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Posted 7 Oct 2011 12:45 pm
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| Yeah, it's pretty old. The video card that I removed was AGP. It has motherboard video, and I've been able to use it to view BIOS and startup menus. However, when Windows loads up, the screen goes blank. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 7 Oct 2011 1:55 pm
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Reset the CMOS Memory (BIOS) and see if that helps. Windows should default to a basic VGA mode (the same as when you first boot up) if nothing else.
Some motherboards have a jumper to reset the CMOS and others, with the PC powered off you must remove the CMOS backup battery on the motherboard for at least 5 minutes. Commonly a CR2032 coin cell battery. |
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Jason Hull
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Posted 7 Oct 2011 2:41 pm
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| Okay! I'll try that. Thanks again! |
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Jason Hull
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Posted 8 Oct 2011 5:07 am
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| That didn't work either |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 8 Oct 2011 6:25 am
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When you say you removed the video card, did you also uninstall it prior to physically removing it? If not, Windows may think it is still there and is not looking at the onboard chip.
To poke Windows into finding the onboard video, activate it in your BIOS. One of the tabs in the BIOS will be for integrated peripherals, or similar wording. One device should be onboard video. Enable it, then save the changes, then exit and see if the computer boots and installs the driver for the video chip.
You may need the motherboard drivers disk to install the preferred driver files for the video chip.
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Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 8 Oct 2011 6:52 am
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As you can't see anything with Windows, there is no way to reinstall the motherboard chipset drivers (if you have them) which could be needed. Since you can't see or get into Windows, it may take a Windows XP "Repair" to get Windows to acknowledge and use the Integrated Video.
A Repair is similar to reinstalling, you boot from the Windows XP disc but select "Repair" instead of Install. You won't lose any user data with the Repair but some programs may require reinstalling after the Repair finishes. |
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Jason Hull
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Posted 8 Oct 2011 7:16 am
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| Wiz Feinberg wrote: |
| When you say you removed the video card, did you also uninstall it prior to physically removing it? |
Yes? I think it was when I was trying to uninstall the card that I disabled the video. |
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