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Improper startup: video card disables

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7 replies

by spec257

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I have a slight problem that I was hoping you might be able to help me with. As of yesterday, my computer is acting very strange.

My computer starts in 16 colors at the resolution of 640X480. I get an error message concerning my video card not having any drivers (which it does). From there, I reselect my display to support 256 colors and 640X480, and restart.

Sometimes this will work, and I will have a fresh startup. I can then change my display settings to the full 32 bit color or to the highest resolution. All device components check out ok with no errors, etc. BUT, most of the time, my computer stops its startup just before entering into my desktop. It leaves a black screen with a flashing tick mark in the upper left hand corner. It does not respond, and I have to reset and repeat the cycle of safe mode, change color, cross fingers and restart. I have been able to restart it normally twice today out of probably 8 tries.

Do you know what could be causing this?I can give you my specs if you need them

7 replies

by spec257

My OS is Windows 98 second edition. I currently own the outdated Nvidia TNT video card as my primary display, with the latest Detonator XP drivers installed. I also have a Voodoo 2, but since it is not initiated, Im sure that is not the root of the problem. Last thing I installed would have been the drivers, but that was a few days ago and my computer ran fine after their installation and reboot. Thanks for any and all help/advice you can give me :)

by tramp

You Probly allready tried it but if not, U might remove the 2nd card, if that restorse your startups well then at least you know 4sure the area you need 2 be looking in, voodoo cards seem 2 configer with pain,
Basic i know but sometimes we forget ;)

by cgi¤001

One of the sicknesses of the Windows OS family are the temp files.
Close ALL running applications, with explorer goto c:\Windows\temp and delete all temp files *.tmp, close windows and reboot.
Next: check out if any new driver is available, check out the manufacturers web site if any newer driver is available.
Hope this will endyour nightmare.

by robfla

I would suggest first removing the extra video card. If it's not being used, then it can only cause you problems. Second, boot into safe mode and install an older driver for your TNT. If that driver boots alright, you can try upgrading to the newest version again.

by klingon

Just this past weekend, i replaced my Nvidia TNT 2 with a Geforce 2. After swapping the card, all I got at bootup was "No Operating System Found". (ugh!) I had to go into the BIOS and set the "Reset Video Configuration" to "Yes". After that, the system was at least able to find the OS, (win2k), but just at the point that you describe (entering the desktop), it would blue screen and reboot. (over, and over, and over again)I could get into Safe Mode, and do what has always worked in the past, butto no avail. I battled with it for nearly 7 hours.

I finally gave up and bought an ATI Radeon 64 and all is well.

Klingon

by necromanthus

What's your OS ? (Win98,NT4,Me,2000,...)
However,you must reinstall VCard drivers
(640x480/16c is the main res. in case of drivers fault)

by necromanthus

It seems you have problems with Vcard drivers.Reinstall the drivers "on clean":
-remove the old driver
-run a "clean-registry" program
-reinstall DirectX
-reinstall the Vcard drivers
If this doesn't work,you must reinstall Windows !(probably some corrupted DLLs)

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