Screen problems after booting up (1 Viewer)

[Toffs-G]

Hi,

My wife has a Compaq running XP pro.

On boot up we get the Windows XP bit and then it dies all lights flashing, making all the right noises etc but the screen goes black and that is that.

Dont know of she has got a virus that is doing something:Sad:

Any suggestions of how to fix would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Gary

 

[G4GMO]

You could try booting it up in safe mode.....repeatedly pressing F8 during boot up and select safe mode. Once in if it gets there go into help and support and try to restore using the last restore point. Not knowing your computer experience hope I haven't caused any confusion.

Perhaps someone who actually runs xp will pop up and correct me if I am incorrect as I rarely run windows anymore.

 

[pappajohn]

i assume its just the screen playing dead and the machine is still running ?

i agree with jon....start in safe mode (it may not be F8 so read your manual...mine isnt) then do a system restore from safe mode.

if that does the trick then try undoing the last restore....if there is a corrupt or missing file it will bring the good one back from a previous date when you undo the last restore.

my desktop has a similar problem....starts to boot until it gets to the graphics files then the whole thing shuts down.
just needs a new graphics card but i cant be bothered as i rarely use it anyway.

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[VMax666]

Sounds like graphics card. Usually because the base unit is on the floor, collects loads of dust, graphics card overheats and fries .Have seen processor fans completely solid with dog hairs,fluff etc VMax

 

[pablomc]

If it just appears to be the screen and the machine is still running (as suggested), and the machine has an LCD screen it could be the back light. You might be able to see the faint XP desktop screen if you look closely.

If it is a laptop and you have a stand alone screen you could try using that connecting the external VGA output, the same if it is a desktop machine. If you don't have another screen but you have an LCD TV (some LCD TVs have a PC input) then you may be able to temporally use that to prove if its the screen.

 

[G4GMO]

From the initial post it doesn't sound like a screen fault and not convinced of it being the graphics card. Need some more feedback with regard attempts to start up in safe mode. PJ is correct it could be another key to press like F5 if F8 doesn't work. Should add, is this a laptop or a desktop?

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[pappajohn]

failing everything else, it could be a variation on this

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[Toffs-G]

From the initial post it doesn't sound like a screen fault and not convinced of it being the graphics card. Need some more feedback with regard attempts to start up in safe mode. PJ is correct it could be another key to press like F5 if F8 doesn't work. Should add, is this a laptop or a desktop?

Yep I should have mentioned its a laptop

We tried doing the F8 thing and start it in safe mode but the same thing happened.

We can hear the hard drive is working Ok etc apart from the screen it appears to be running OK

:Sad:

 

[G4GMO]

From your initial post I got the impression that the screen does come up with the bios splash and the windows splash during booting but goes blank once windows starts. Is this correct?

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[Linda and Steph]

It's possible that the laptop is outputting to the secondary monitor socket.

Have a look at the number & function keys for a blue symbol that has 2 monitors on it. Hold down the FN button near the space bar and press the number or function button with that symbol - it's a cyclic button that switches between monitor arrangements (Laptop , External, Both).

Just an option

 

[lebesset]

fortunately HP compaq has an excellent website , try going to the support area and work your way to the forum for you particular model , you will usually find people who have experience of it's peculiarities

http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support_task.html