Signal out of range

[kelly]

XP machine - child has set video resolution higher than the monitor can handle and it's displaying 'Signal out of range'. In the past, I've connected the machine to a newer monitor that was capable of the reset resolution. Once booted with the new monitor, I reset the resolution to something that the older monitor could handle.

1) If I boot in Safe Mode, it'll come up in low resolution (think it's something like 480 x 640). However, I don't know that I can make changes in Safe Mode that will affect the resolution when it comes back in normal mode. Is this true?

2) Is there anyway to limit the resolution so that young child can't reset the resolution?

thanks

[kern]

XP machine - child has set video resolution higher than the monitor can handle and it's displaying 'Signal out of range'. In the past, I've connected the machine to a newer monitor that was capable of the reset resolution. Once booted with the new monitor, I reset the resolution to something that the older monitor could handle.

1) If I boot in Safe Mode, it'll come up in low resolution (think it's something like 480 x 640). However, I don't know that I can make changes in Safe Mode that will affect the resolution when it comes back in normal mode. Is this true?

thanks

yes.
booting into safe mode or vga mode will allow you to reset the resolution.

[kelly]

no so - on my office XP machine I tested after posting the message. My normal resolution is 1280 x 960. I booted in Safe Mode and set it to a lower resolution (800 x 600). It didn't stick when I rebooted - it came up at 1280 x 960.

[dbarrow]

Go to CNET Downloads and look for a utility called ReForce.
It is a very small util that will allow you to set refresh rates for each resolution supported by the monitor which modifies the reg keys accordingly.
This is most handy when PnP settings cause a refresh rate that is out of range or the drivers default to something the monitor won't eat.
Look up the mnfr refresh rate for each resolution (they usually have a table if you find the monitor spec page).
Run ReForce and set it up to match, reboot.

[kern]

no so - on my office XP machine I tested after posting the message. My normal resolution is 1280 x 960. I booted in Safe Mode and set it to a lower resolution (800 x 600). It didn't stick when I rebooted - it came up at 1280 x 960.

refresh rate is out of range too- select the Adapter tab, in the Refresh Rates List, select 'default'.

[kelly]

Problem is you can't get to anything when the screen is blank.

I've recorded key strokes to do this. I'll try that first. Then I'll take a look at ReForce.

[dbarrow]

You can use ReForce in safe mode with VGA.
http://www.pagehosting.co.uk/rf/download.html
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=1847
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,23077-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html

[Freehold Fred]

Kelly,

I had the same problem. It is not the rez, it is the refresh rate. Boot into safe mode and do a system restore to a time before the problem.

no so - on my office XP machine I tested after posting the message. My normal resolution is 1280 x 960. I booted in Safe Mode and set it to a lower resolution (800 x 600). It didn't stick when I rebooted - it came up at 1280 x 960.

[kelly]

Guess that might work. Have you tried it? Does System Restore keep track of screen settings?

Anyway - it's over and done with. I just brought my monitor to the customer's place (I was headed in that direction anyway). Plugged it in and it worked with my monitor. Changed the settings back and it's OK.

Next task (when I get around to it) is to try ReForce.

[kern]

Problem is you can't get to anything when the screen is blank.

I've recorded key strokes to do this. I'll try that first. Then I'll take a look at ReForce.

boot into safe mode first, then change the Adapter settings as i described.

[kelly]

Booting into Safe Mode - you can't change the settings,

Booting to VGA Mode - yes this works. You can change the resolution and the setting stays when booting normally, Thanks.

[Freehold Fred]

YES, I wouldn't have recommended it if it didn't work. But as anyone who has experienced the joys and frustratons of SR, it often goes back only to the day AFTER the problem!!!;)

Guess that might work. Have you tried it? Does System Restore keep track of screen settings?