Not sure what happened but my son's LCD monitor now displays this message when he starts his computer: Out Range
This is also includes numbers that I believe must refer to the refresh rate.
The computer is running WIndows XP SP2. He told me he did not change the settings on his monitor. From what I have been able to figure out somehow the display settings have been set to a higher screen resolution than the monitor is capable of. After googling this problem I saw that many people have experienced this issue. The solution cited was to re-start the computer in Safe Mode and then change the settings. I tried this but it will not start in safe mode. Another solution was to connect a CRT monitor. I did this as well and still got the same message. Not sure what else I can do if i can't get into the system.
Hi John,
I can't get to the desktop. The monitor screen displays the message "Out of Timing," and then it goes black. I tried connecting another LCD monitor to it and then I got a message that said "Out of Range" followed by some numbers.
Hi Paul Varjak
Does your Mainboard comes with a onboard graphic solution?
If so, you could remove the graphic in use, switch to onboard in
the BIOS setup, boot the machine with that. Resolution settings
are forced to reset to default. Set a new screen resolution within
the limits supported. Put the graphic card back in, remember to
turn of onboard again. Let windows re-find the graphic card.
Alternatively, if you have a old card lying around, it should get the
job done as well, in case your mainboard doesn't have onboard
graphic.
Regards Abydos
Thanks for the reply Abydos.
The MB does not have onboard graphics and I don't have an old graphics card lying around. I was thinking about buying a new one to see if that may solve the problem. Do you think that would reset the settings to the default settings?
What exactly happened when you tried start in safe-mode?
No picture or?
I was thinking about buying a new one to see if that may solve the problem. Do you think that would reset the settings to the default settings?
I would think so, but i can't say for certain. Changing the graphic card, will likely force windows to load
a different, most likely a generic, driver. Which will reset the solution to default or in some cases the
optimal resolution for the card in question. Provided the card is of a different brand, otherwise windows
might end up with loading the same driver as for the old card. Altho I think its a bit drastic buying a new
card to get it back on its feet. A possible avenue here, would be to ask your local PC-shop for a estimated
price for getting it fixed. That solution might be alittle more inexpensive compared to buying a new card.
Unless of course, that you wanted to upgrade it due to the card being old in the first place.
There is no response when I try to start in Safe Mode. It's as if I did nothing; the screen remains blank.
I have other computers in the house but I'm not sure if they have on board graphics or separate cards.
If I can find one with a card I'll try putting it in this one to see if it clears up the problem.
Hi,
When you get the "out of range" message have you left the machine to its own devices for an hour…….this sometimes works!
(most folks only give it a minute or two and then move on trying other potential solutions).
Have you tried to boot from a Windows Install CD or other bootable media
EG a Linux disc?
Puppy Linux is available from here: http://www.puppylinux.com/
If no joy then it looks like maybe you need to borrow a different video card and see how you go
Regards
paws
Hi Paws,
I haven't left the machine to its' own devices. I will try that tonight.
If that fails then I'll check my other PC's for a video card.
I did try to boot from my XP disk but no luck there either.
Okay, here's the update.
I took out the graphics card from my Dell and dropped it into the PC with the problem and voila everything worked.
I checked the display settings and they didn't seem out of whack but I did lower the resolution a bit just to make sure.
I put the old card back in again and got the same error message.
I ended up buying a new card and everything works fine now. When I pulled the old card out again a component came off of the circuit board.
So it looks like the problem was a faulty graphics card.
There are other issues with this computer I need to get into now as well. I'll have to post a HJT log.
One of the issues is that I can't show hidden files. I'll post this in the Malware forum when I collect more info.
Thanks guys for your help on this issue.
Hi ,
Well done on getting the "borrowed" video card to work,
at least you can now see what you are doing! and you have positively identified the problem(and solution)
Once your machine has been checked over by a malware removal expert, see here for details of where and how to post: http://forums.whatthetech.com/Welcome_New_…ers_t34502.html
Please feel free to post back here in this topic if you are still having issues with the machine and we will do our best to help
Regards
paws
