monitor and cpu aren't working together

[youngpadawan18]

a relative had just given me his hp computer and today i hooked everything up and when i turned on the cpu and monitor a message came up. "if you can read this message, windows has successfully intialized this display adapter. to use this adapter as part of your windows desktop, open the display option in the control panel and adjust the settings on the settings tab." what does this mean? i can't even get windows to come up. please help. thanks.

 

[ski]

Turn off the computer, disconnect the power cord, and reseat the video card making sure it's fully seated.

If that's ok, then see if it starts in Safe mode. If so, then reinstall the video card's drivers.

 

[youngpadawan18]

i tried that and it didnt work...i also tried tapping f8 but the list didnt come up.. do you have anymore suggestions? thanks much.

 

[smah]

Is there more than 1 video adapter in this machine? It sounds like Windows is still using a different one, but thinks that you're adding the one that is displaying the message.

 

[youngpadawan18]

there could be... how do i check?

 

[smah]

With the computer off, look at the back of the computer, and specifically where the monitor is currently plugged in. Is there another identical connector somewhere that the monitor could be plugged into?