Computer problem.....need some help!
Yesterday, I downloaded Macromedia Shockwave. Today, when I tried to start the computer, it sounds like it boots up fine, but there is nothing on the screen.....totally blank. I restarted in Safe Mode, and the screen works, but I can't figure out how to fix the problem. While I was in Safe Mode, I did a system restore to a date two weeks ago and that still didn't work. Then, I deleted all the shockwave files I could find, but still no screen. I'm using a Dell Inspiron 8500, Windows XP. Any ideas?????????
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do a full system restore, defrag. 0 -
I'm really trying NOT to do a full system restore. I don't want to lose all the important stuff on there.[V] 0 -
Sorry, can't help you about the problem. At least you told me (us?) what software to avoid. Good luck to you. Joe 0 -
Can you think of anything else you might have done? Shockwave is basically just a plugin for browsers... I can't understand how it would cause a computer to fail to boot up. But who knows, computers are fickle sometimes. 0 -
It's booting up, the screen is blank, though. All the start-up sounds play when it starts. It's just like the display isn't working, but in Safe Mode, it works. 0 -
i THINK -not sure, you can put your stuff on a CD or flash drive in safe mode? then full system restore
otherwise, your not going to have it anyways. or email it to urself?0 -
Wrong resolution? 0 -
PULL!!! 0 -
Start the machine in safe mode. point the mouse curser in the middle of the screen at a blank spot. click the right mouse button and go to properties. left click on the settings tab. look for adapter button or advanced button. make sure correct adapter is listed and then click on list all modes button and change mode to 640 X 480 midrange hertz listing. click ok to everything and then restart the machine normally. Windows should come up in low resolution and then warn you of this condition. It will ask if you want windows to manage and you say yes and drive on. Good luck. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by mutter
Start the machine in safe mode. point the mouse curser in the middle of the screen at a blank spot. click the right mouse button and go to properties. left click on the settings tab. look for adapter button or advanced button. make sure correct adapter is listed and then click on list all modes button and change mode to 640 X 480 midrange hertz listing. click ok to everything and then restart the machine normally. Windows should come up in low resolution and then warn you of this condition. It will ask if you want windows to manage and you say yes and drive on. Good luck.
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There is a key on your keyboard that has a little blue "fn" on it, hold it down and then push the f8 key giving a few seconds between each push, until your screen works again. 0 -
The "fn" on the key stands for function. That key allows a second function on the keys that have the little blue writing on them. Your f8 key should have some writing the says crt/lcd. That switches your laptop monitor on/off/on with the external monitor on also when pressed in conjunction with the "fn" key. Sounds like you have just shut the lcd off. Give it a few seconds (or more) between each push. 0 -
don't "delete all the files you can find", what you do is (in safe mode) use add/remove programs in the Control Panel.
since you deleted a bunch of stuff, it might not have the files it needs to uninstall. it'll let ya know when you try it.0 -
Forgot to tell you. Just turn the machine on like you normally do and do not go into safe mode. When you think it has had sufficient time to boot, then do the above. Sorry about that. 0 -
Still no luck. I tried the Fn-F8 trick, but that didn't work. I also tried to start in safe mode, but all I get is a bunch of lines of text and it stops. Won't go into safe mode now either. 0 -
you might have to go to the pro forum 0 -
Was going to say it sounded like a corrupt video driver,.......but safe mode will use the default "generic" Windows driver. Either a virus, or maybe more likely, your LCD has decided to give up the ghost.
Any other monitors available to try it with?
Edit,......also a possibility your video card STB.0 -
Call Dell. 0 -
So do you see the normal stuff right after you turn it on, by that I mean the dell logo on a black screen then some white lettering? 0 -
If while you are going into safe mode you can read the text then, your monitor is fine. 0 -
Dell has a user-to-user forum where I've found help many, many times for various problems. Just register----find the correct forum and post your problem. There are really some sharp computer "gurus" that are members of Dell's forums.
Go
>http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums?~ck=mn0 -
Yes, I'm seeing the first screen (Dell logo w/ white lettering). After that, I have the black screen with "Windows XP", then I can watch it and the screen goes black. After that, I still here the normal start=up sounds, but see nothing. 0 -
How's this? AK47 and 12gauge tech support 
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quote:Originally posted by SLIDER-in-KY
Yes, I'm seeing the first screen (Dell logo w/ white lettering). After that, I have the black screen with "Windows XP", then I can watch it and the screen goes black. After that, I still here the normal start=up sounds, but see nothing.
If this is the case, then your video card and monitor are fine. It sounds like a driver issue. Try reinstalling your display drivers.0 -
did you delete or uninstal shockwave?
control panel, ad/remove programs/uninstal shockwave and all of it's components.
restart.
if that don't work then safe mode 640x480.0 -
Then what you need to do is go back into safe mode, right click on the desktop, select properties, select the settings tab, move the slider that changes the screen resolution and make sure it is set to 640 by 480, hit apply. Close that. restart and see if you get your monitor back. If not, restart again in safe mode and right click "my computer" and select manage. The computer management window will come up. Select device manager and then select display adapters. Right click any display adapters that are shown and select uninstall(you should take note of what you uninstall in the above step and write the name down before you uninstall the adapters above). After it is done uninstalling the adapters reboot normally. Windows will reboot using its default display adapter drivers. You will then need to go on the web to dells web site and download the display drivers for your machine. You will need to know what display adapter your machine came with from the factory. I can help with that also if you do not know. You should take note of what you uninstall in the above step and write the name down before you uninstall the adapters above. 0 -
Suggestion - works for me - haven't had to talk to a shop based tech in years.
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=pc+tech+forum&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
Most geeks on forums such as these can help you out ... no strain.
Good luck!
[:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by PanzerSlayer2
How's this? AK47 and 12gauge tech support
I know a guy that did just that. He said "you'd be surprised just how gratifying that is".[:D][:D]0 -
But now, it won't boot up in safe mode either. It starts to go into safe mode, but all I get is lines of text that you see prior to safe mode. 0
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