Can't boot in safe mode?

[arobart]

I have one of my users who changed the resolution on their pc and now can't get into their pc at all. (can't remember off the top of my head now, I have the message at work, but she gets a message about a range)I thought the best way to tackle the problem would be to access by safe mode, but for some reason using F8 doesn't seem to get the machine (Compaq)to safe mode, just a black screen and it just sits there. I really need to get to safe mode....anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
Annette

 

[AP81]

Try F5.

 

[arobart]

That doesn't seem to be working either. It just sits there at a black screen. I am getting so desperate, any other ideas??
Or..any ideas on how to set that resolution back when we can't seem to access the pc?
Thanks

 

[kjv1611]

When you say black screen... is the system showing the boot screen (such as the CPU speed, etc? or a big Compaq logo before going to the black screen?

If so, you might could try something different - maybe - just a guess at this point. You could try going into the BIOS settings (probably <F2> or <F10> on a Compaq, I forget which), and change some video settings there, to see if perhaps it'll reset the other changes without any major doings.

Otherwise, I'm sure there is some bootable tool that would allow changing Windows system config files, which is where I'd imagine the settings are stored - though I've never tried.

Another option you could try in your case is that if the machine is using onboard video, and you have a spare compatible VGA/PCI/PCI-X display adapter, you could install that one, and see if that fixes it enough for you to make the changes, then go back to onboard video.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[arobart]

The system does show the Compaq logo, then I hit the F8 or F5 and it just goes to a black screen.

 

[kjv1611]

Can you try some of the suggestions I mentioned about changing BIOS settings and/or using a different display adapter?

When I'm talking about BIOS settings, I'm talking specifically about those related to the display adapter/graphics. I'd try changing one at a time, and see if anything changes in that area.

What I'm thinking about, as one possibility, is to sort of force a Windows refresh of auto-settings for the display adapter - I just figure it's worth a try.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[arobart]

Ok, I will. I have to go to that branch. So far I've been walking the user through the safe mode portion, I don't think I want to walk them through the setup. I don't have a spare adapter but I'll try the setup mode and see what I can find.
Thanks!