Video Resolution

[Tulsa61]

After Windows updates, the screen fonts get large and computer shuts down.  Upon restart, got Warning Message PC Video Resolution is out of Range. Set screen resolution to 1280/1024.  Normally, I can reboot and go into Safe Mode and change the screen resolution.  After doing this several times, this process would no longer work, - kept getting error messages.  I did a restore -- didn't work.  Did a recovery but got the same screen resolution out of range message.  Rebotted and tried to go into Safe mode, but error came up -- Windos cannot complete installation in Safe Mode.  When I hit ok, pc shutdown!

How do I get around the OUT of RANGE Warning message and reset the screen resolution if I can't go into SAFE MODE?

[Viper]

It sounds as though there is a problem with your graphics driver. I would gather an optional graphics card update was installed that was incompatible with your video adapter which was probably custom made. There is an option within the advanced boot options (which can be accessed by tapping F8 at boot) to load windows in low resolution mode. However it may not help if the driver is incompatible. At this point it appears your computer is in the middle of a recovery. Did you start it from the hard drive or from discs? Have you tried using a different monitor or testing the monitor on a different computer? What operating system are you running? Have you checked the cable and connections? How far through the recovery did you get? Please answer these questions and I'm sure you will get a solution soon. Good luck!

[Tulsa61]

Monitor has been used on two different computers.  Pressing PF8 would put me in Safe Mode, but I get an error trhat WIndows cannot complete installation in Safe Mode and when I press OK - PC shuts down.  I have tried the Recovery process from the hard drive AND from discs that I ordered from Hewlett Packard (Windows Vista Home Premium was bundled with the Compaq Presario that I am haviongf problems with.)  From the instructions, it would appear that the recovery completes -- The DVD tray opens. 

[Viper]

Since you are able to see the recovery screens, it sounds as though the graphics adapter is working properly. I gather the recovery utility has you put all the discs in and then finishes the last disc and then ejects and has you click a button to restart the computer. Immediately after this what happens? Does it show the HP logo and then go to the out of range message or does it show anything else first? By using the monitor on two computers, do you mean that since this occured you have hooked the monitor up to the other computer and it works fine? Can you test the computer with a different monitor? Also is this XP or Vista?

[c0rnel]

Try going to F8 options and choose Last Known Good Configuration.

Looks either the resolution is set higher than your monitor supports and/or your video driver needs to be rolled back.

But from the looks of it a System Restore should do it.

NOTE: Changing your resolution in Safe Mode won't help or stay changed when u reboot normally.

[Tulsa61]

There is a screen that comes up where the HP Logo would normally show up - but it never does before the screen goes to black and the out of range message comes up.

I have used the same monitor on two different computers and had the same thing happen -- except I've always been able to go into Safe Mode and reset the screen resolution --- This time it's stuck.  I have always heard BAD things about Windows Vista and NOW I KNOW first hand!  Windows Vista is a piece of CRAP and should be replaced by XP -- I NEVER had a problem with Windows XP!

[Bskull]

I can definately feel your pain in this situation, but windows vista can be very selective with certain graphics drivers or certain old monitors. How old is this monitor?