XP only runs in SAFE mode

[Derekzz]

I recently bought a used Compaq workstation AP400.
It has dual Pentium 3 processors and was running Windows 2000. Everything including the monitor were working fine. (I know if it aint broke dont fix it) As my other machines run XP and I have had NT problems in the past I decided to upgrade. I reformatted the disk and did a clean XP install.

The first time I started under XP it would only allow safe mode. It reported an error/conflict with the display adaptor for the graphics card Matrox Millenium G200 AGP.
I have downloaded and reloaded the drivers no change.

In XP it loads to the windows loading logo/indicator. Screen goes black, there is a brief, faint show of colored vertical lines then permanent blackness.

I can open in safe mode but only black screen.

Any thoughts would be welcome.

 

[thedon57]

Hi with it turned off see if your card is pushed in tight in the slot, or remove card and reseat it, also try and roll back to a driver in device manager, uninstall it and see if wizard can find one for you.

See my own website at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Selfbuilt_conputer,

backed up by all updates, and sercurities.

 

[Derekzz]

Hi thedon57

Thanks for the response I have indeed done these things and so far no joy.

 

[thedon57]

Sorry it was all i could think off, when you bought the computer did they give you any disks with it, what colour motherboard is installed only why i am asking see below.

I am now going to tell you something, my ex stepdaughter bought the same model and make as you, she had the same trouble, i have travelled a 100 miles every weekend to try and get it going, same problem as yours but a bit of colour, took photo of motherboard which is purple and went on site and downloaded drivers for motherboard, and manual,
still having trouble, so have given up and building her one with a ASRock motherboard.

If you find that it is purple and has K7SOM+ v7.54 printed on it let me know as i have the manual and disk printed out, and i would only be too willing to post it on to you.

Keep me informed.

See my own website at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Selfbuilt_conputer,

backed up by all updates, and sercurities.

 

[Derekzz]

The board I have is green. I don't know about a model number will look later. I dont suspect the board as it was running fine before I "imperoved" it.

 

[linney]

Have you considered checking to see if there is a Bios update available for this machine, or even setting the Bios to the safe default settings.

What about using the Safe Mode screen option of "Enable VGA Mode": This option starts Windows in 640 x 480 mode, using the current video driver (not Vga.sys). This mode is useful if the display is configured for a setting that the monitor cannot display.

 

[Zych]

Are you using XP Home or XP Pro? XP Home does not support dual CPU from my understanding. Just a thought.

- Zych

 

[Derekzz]

Hi linney
Thanks for your response. Since my last posting I have started in "Enable VGA Mode". Everything works fine until I try to change any screen settings, at which point I get black screen and it reboots with the old problem back.

I have found new drivers for my monitor which give me full screen colour rubbish which I think means I am closer but it still aint working

I have not yet tried for a BIOS update. Will try this evening.

 

[Derekzz]

Hi Zych

I am using XP Pro. Although it is supposed to handle dual processors I am not convinced it is doing so properly but I don't know how to check!

 

[finast]

I just got the same problem but different computer. Mines an Acer but whatever. Safe mode is fine but I get the black screen after the loading part in normal. I thought it was hardware until I used a win98 hard drive I had lying around. That works great, even at 16 bit res.. I got the Dell XP disk at the Salvation army for 25¢ (yes, I know I'm not supposed to use it but I just wanted to see if I liked XP). Did you finally get it going?

 

[bcastner]

Driver updates are important, albit do not use the Windows Upgrade suggestions.

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...port/kb/articles/q314/4/66.asp&NoWebContent=1

 

[finast]

Yeh, I tried the Acer driver but since I had to install it from Safe mode I'm not sure if it took. I did go to the device manager and saw no minitor listed but when I went to see if I could add one none show in the list. Was "monitor" dropped from XP? It shows in all the other Windows versions I know of (I won't count 3.X 'cause I can't remember back that far). Thanks

 

[linney]

finast,

Display Properties/ Settings/ Advanced/ Monitor

Do you have the above location, at the above location there is a check box to control Monitor Settings and also "Hide modes that this Monitor cannot display"

I have Monitors in Device Manager, it opens up to list "Plug and Play" Monitor, taking it further it says no drivers are installed or required, but this is just my particular setup.

 

[finast]

I looked there but it wasn't, not in safe mode anyway. I thought maybe the CD-R may have been messing up explorer but that wasn't it.
I put win 2000 on and it took although there are lines coming off anything on the screen. If I can fix that I'll just give up on XP.
Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[linney]

finast,

Reading your posts, 98 works, 2000 starts to fail, and XP is a complete failure, in regards to the Monitor. This leads me to suggest that it is a hardware compatibility type of problem with the later operating systems.

This might be corrected with a Bios update if one is available or driver updates, which you have tried. Can you borrow another Monitor and try that?

I know you no longer have XP installed, but some of these XP articles may be worth a read too.

314503 - Computer Stops Responding with a Black Screen When You Start Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314503&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

The computer stops responding during startup

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;832577&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

XP will not boot
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