Accessing vga properties -help needed please

rustyboxx · 09-20-2005, 06:47 PM

Does anyone here know how I can configure my vga properties other than through Windows XP. Let me explain further. I inadvertently enabled the extended desktop option on my usb vga card so now both screens show the desktop wallpaper but no icons. I can't get to the taskbar and can't get to the safe mode option when hitting f8 at start up. I'm all out of ideas and its starting to bug the **** out of me. If anyone has a workaround I'd be eternally grateful.

DarquePervert · 09-20-2005, 07:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rustyboxx

Does anyone here know how I can configure my vga properties other than through Windows XP. Let me explain further. I inadvertently enabled the extended desktop option on my usb vga card so now both screens show the desktop wallpaper but no icons. I can't get to the taskbar and can't get to the safe mode option when hitting f8 at start up. I'm all out of ideas and its starting to bug the **** out of me. If anyone has a workaround I'd be eternally grateful.

Display icon in the Control Panel (assuming you can get to the control panel).
Right-click on the desktop and choose Properties.
Launch C:\Windows\System32\Desk.cpl

Cris · 09-20-2005, 07:57 PM

Can't you do a system restore? This did the trick for me, as I too fell in that trap.

rustyboxx · 09-20-2005, 08:09 PM

I wish I could but with no access to any meaningful windows functions I'm stuck. Can a restore be done from the xp disk?

Mad Ad · 09-20-2005, 09:29 PM

Nobrainer Q first, can't you right click the desktop and get the display properties box up?

If not, perhaps try to reinstall the drivers, that usually knocks things back to default, do you see the program manager when you CTL-ALT-DEL? If yes, go to File, New Task and navigate to your driver package startup.

You didnt post your mobo, if its got onboard gfx why not just unplug the usb vga and connect using the mobo vga, you can always replace it if it goes tits up?

Ive put his script together that will set your display back to 640x480 while the explorer window is open but unless you can run it on boot its not going to be much use. make a txt file, call it test.bat and put

set __COMPAT_LAYER=640x480
start /w iexplore.exe

in it and save, if you can double click or otherwise run it on boot or from the command line, it might work- it does change the res but I can't test it on a dual atm as ive wired my monitors arse about face since i got the L2335 and have disconnected my 2nd screen for now.

rustyboxx · 09-20-2005, 09:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Mad Ad

Nobrainer Q first, can't you right click the desktop and get the display properties box up?

Nope, no luck there.

Quote:

If not, perhaps try to reinstall the drivers, that usually knocks things back to default, do you see the program manager when you CTL-ALT-DEL? If yes, go to File, New Task and navigate to your driver package startup.

Nope, just wallpaper. CTL-ALT-DEL works in background but wont show on screen

Quote:

You didnt post your mobo, if its got onboard gfx why not just unplug the usb vga and connect using the mobo vga, you can always replace it if it goes tits up?

Epia M10K + USB VGA adapter

Quote:

Ive put his script together that will set your display back to 640x480 but unless you can run it on boot its not going to be much use. make a txt file, call it test.bat and put

set __COMPAT_LAYER=640x480
start /w iexplore.exe

in it and save, if you can double click or otherwise run it on boot or from the command line, it might work- it does change the res but I can't test it on a dual atm as ive wired my monitors arse about face since i got the L2335 and have disconnected my 2nd screen for now.

Thanks for that, i've tried f5 and f8 but not getting any screens up. I see the XP startup screen then it goes straight to desktop minus everything except the wallpaper. Right clicking just brings up new folder/shortcut/arrange icons etc. I even tried making a shortcut to the usb/vga folder but no luck. It found it but would not display it.

I'll try again tomorrow night and if i can get to the command line I might have some luck.

Thanks again

Mad Ad · 09-20-2005, 09:51 PM

ok good, right click, choose new text file, that should make one right there on your desktop you can see, name that test.bat, open it, type in
set __COMPAT_LAYER=640x480
start /w iexplore.exe
save it, double click the icon and hope

EDIT: that __ is a double underscore btw

yonu · 09-20-2005, 10:23 PM

that sounds odd unless it thinks you have 3 monitors

Cris · 09-21-2005, 07:31 AM

Very strange. You should be able to access the properties with the F8. Try hitting it from the time the pc starts all the way...

What if you unplug the USB video card, and let the onboard card take it's place. Once you entered Windows, uninstall the drivers for the USB card, restart, and plug it back in.

ElKeeed · 09-21-2005, 07:40 AM

I had a similar problem when windows switched to a funny mode. I just right clicked and then used the keyboard to select the options without being able to see them. I could tell what to press by doing it on my laptop at the same time.

Scouse Monkey · 09-21-2005, 07:48 AM

ctrl-alt-del to bring up the task manager.

click file at the top and then select run. Then simply type 'control panel' and hit enter (without the ' at either end). It should then bring up yoru control panel. You can select display options there.

Scouse Monkey · 09-21-2005, 07:57 AM

alternatively, you may have the task manager pop up on the wrong screen that you can see (sounds likely).

in this case do this:

<crtl-alt-del>
<alt-F>
<return>
control panel <return>
d d <return>
<tab> x4
<right arrow> x4

then is the tricky part as i am work and dont have the enable extended desktop option.

try pressing tab 3 times and the space then tab 5 times and enter or if the enable extended button is after troubleshoot and advanced in roder then tab 5 times then space then tab 3 times before hitting enter.

Good luck.

If you cock up hit the reset.

rustyboxx · 09-21-2005, 08:42 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by yonu

that sounds odd unless it thinks you have 3 monitors

Funny you should say that. When I could get to the display properties it showed 3 monitors, 1 usb/vga and 2 onboard. I thought it was weird but couldn't see how to remove one of them. The 3rd monitor was disabled. It was through the usb/vga utility that I made the changes not through display properties so I'm not sure how easy it is to resolve it.

rustyboxx · 09-21-2005, 08:43 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by ElKeeed

I had a similar problem when windows switched to a funny mode. I just right clicked and then used the keyboard to select the options without being able to see them. I could tell what to press by doing it on my laptop at the same time.

Thats a good plan, I'll try that

rustyboxx · 09-21-2005, 08:45 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Cris

Very strange. You should be able to access the properties with the F8. Try hitting it from the time the pc starts all the way...

What if you unplug the USB video card, and let the onboard card take it's place. Once you entered Windows, uninstall the drivers for the USB card, restart, and plug it back in.

I'm sure F8 does something but I can't see it because its just the wallpaper that is displayed on both screens. Bugger innit!