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General discussion

monitor problem

Aug 22, 2004 5:47AM PDT

Hi,
I interrupted Microsoft's latest update and after rebooting, I get a black screen. I managed to access Windows after physically unplugging the monitor and the battery, but Windows freezes every time.
Anybody has an idea on how to fix this problem?
Thanks
Sylvia

Discussion is locked

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Re: monitor problem
Aug 22, 2004 5:53AM PDT

Since you suspect a hardware issue, try a DOS boot diskette. Does that boot?

If this is a software issue, let that discussion take place in the matching OS forum. But my thought is if you press reset or such during install (not the download) phase of any update, you may get to reinstall the OS.

Bob

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Re: monitor problem
Aug 22, 2004 5:57AM PDT

Hi,
I don't know if it's a hardware or software problem. I can't even boot on a floppy or on the CD-ROM.
Sylvia

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Can you now see video??
Aug 22, 2004 6:05AM PDT

If so, during boot go into the BIOS and make certain that the order of boot is A then C or whatever in order to boot from the floppy.

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Re: Can you now see video??
Aug 22, 2004 6:15AM PDT

I managed to access the BIOS and to change the order to A then CD then C but the computer froze. I was told you can reset the monitor by unplugging ? from the motherboard. Do you know how to do that?
Thanks
Sylvia

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The procedure should be [have been] and you
Aug 22, 2004 6:36AM PDT

can do it now. Put the boot floppy in the floppy drive. Then turn the computer on and get into the BIOS. Change to the boot sequence A then whatever [just use A C],the CD will be one of the options when you finally boot to the floppy.

Be sure to save the BIOS changes and exit.

The system will then continue to boot but to the floppy which will eventually allow you to select CD support. When you get to the A prompt to get to use the CD and a colon simply type the letter of the CD and hit enter. Don't e surprised if the CD drive letter is one letter further into the alphabet because the boot disk creates a RAM Drive that eats up a letter. The drive will go back to the normal leter after the system is reinstalled.

I never heard of resetting a monitor. Just turn it off pause and turn it back on, and start the boot.

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Re: The procedure should be [have been] and you
Aug 22, 2004 7:34AM PDT

For whatever crazy reason I have to wait a good 1/2 hour between each trial, otherwise I can't get the monitor to work. But whether it boots on the BIOS or in Windows, it crashes right away (the mouse and the programs freeze). I haven't been able to restart on the floppy yet...

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With the boot disk in the floppy and
Aug 22, 2004 8:12AM PDT

IF you properly saved the change in the BIOS to be A C and savced the change [gotta type a Y and then hit enter in the save changes screen] you should never get to the Operating system [Windows] you should still be in DOS and the mouse should not work..

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1/2 wait to me says....
Aug 22, 2004 8:17AM PDT

The CPU heatsink may have fallen off.

Is this machine under warranty?

Bob

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Good pickup Robert. It never dawned
Aug 22, 2004 8:41AM PDT

on me to ask why why the 1/2 hour wait.