Stuck in low resolution, 640x480. I can't change the display resolution

[phobyte]

HP Pavlion p7-1247c. I am stuck at 640x480. I can get to the change resolution setting but the display setting is grayed out so I am stuck at 640x480. I can boot to safe mode and I can change the resolution while in safe mode but not when I boot normally. I tried a system restore back to how it was first shipped to me. I can't complete the initial setup because I am at 640x480 and I can't see or click on the button to continue because it is off the screen.  I found that there is a boot option for low resolution which is where I seem to be stuck. I can't find any way to turn off the boot to low resolution. Also, it seems that the initial setup program assumes a wide aspect ration monitor. This does not work with my old monitor which will do 1280x1024, but is stuck at 640x480.

[old_geekster]

Phobyte, welcome to the forum.

Here is the driver for the integrated video and a guide to help you install it in Safe Mode.  I used a third party source to identify the integrated video included in the A8 3820 processor.  If the link is incorrect, you can use the same page to indentify the appropriate driver.  Once the appropriate driver is installed it may solve your problem.

Please click "Accept as Solution" if your problem is solved.

[phobyte]

Thanks for the link to the driver. I assumed that the driver from HP would work on an HP computer, it didn't. I have the problem computer packed up and ready to ship back to HP. After spending some quality time with HP support they decided that the video card is bad and they want me to send the computer back to them so that they can repair it.

I am downloading the driver you suggested, perhaps I'll have time to try this driver before I ship the computer back.

Previously I downloaded a driver from AMD but it didn't make any difference. But, I'm not certain that it was the same driver you are suggesting.

If I get time to try this new driver I'll post what happens.

Thanks,

[phobyte]

I didn't have a chance to try the suggested driver before the box arrived to ship my computer back for service. Now I need to wait for it to come back.

[phobyte]

Well, I got my computer back from HP today. The note included with it said that the mother board was replaced. I guess they replaced the motherboard because they thought there was a problem with the video circuit on it. I hooked it up and foudn that nothing had changed! I am still stuck at 640x480 unless I boot to safe mode. In safe mode it boots to 800x600 and I can change it to what ever I want it to be. Well, at least to the supported resolutions.

I booted normally and then installed the AMD driver which was suggested. Nothing happened, I'm still stuck at 640x480. The installation was challenging because the install program assumed I was running at a higher resolution. I had to hit 'tab' a couple of times and then'enter' and luckily I happened to be on the 'next' button and was able to continue with the installation. It was a waste of time because it didn't work for me.

I think that after I call HP tomorrow I may have to take a picture of the screen showing the change resolution screen with the selection box grayed out.

I included a two page report when I sent the compter back. I carefully explained what the problem is and what I had done to correct the issue. This seems to be another waste of time because it seems that no one bothered to read it.

This seems like a painfully easy problem to solve, or at least that is what I thought when I first turned on the computer.

The one thing that I have not tried is to boot the computer with two monitors attached but I really doubt that this would make any difference.

I'm not a happy camper today. HP should have been able to solve this simple problem! I can't understand how they could have shipped the computer back to me when the problem had clearly not be resolved.

😞

[phobyte · Accepted solution]

It looks like I finally figured it out; it was the DVI cable which was shipped with the computer. I swapped this cable with one from another computer and now it works.

I guess I should be happy to have resolved the problem but I'm not. Maybe because the solution was too simple and it took me so long to try it.

I shipped the computer back to HP for no reason, they replaced the motherboard for no reason. I wasted a lot of my time for no reason. I wasted the time of four different technical support people.

I think the real reason that I tried swapping the cable is that the last tech support guy said that it would not be the cable. This is just proof that sometimes it is the most simple part of the whole system which can cause the most difficulty.

If only HP had shipped a good cable in the first place.  😞

[LeReye]

After finding your solution on Google, I registered just to say... Thank You!....*edit* now that i think about it I could of just sent you a message idk how to delete this...

[IT_Pro4ever]

I had the same issue. In the past it seemed to correct itself. I have a 5 screen config and most replies do not apply to my set up that also has a 4 monitor KVM switch for a second computer. The fix was simple as pushing the cable in all the way after reading your post. If it comes out a little bit the monitor will work fine... at first. That is until the power goes off like it did in the thunderstorm last night.. The KVM swith then restarts finding the cable only worthy of 640x480 setting. Everything looks fine and a lot of time can be wasted if you do not do the simplist of checks on the cables. I feel your pain bro! Swapping the MOBO must have been a nightmare of packaging and shipping and waiting. THANKS for the info...

[phobyte]

I'm glad that my post was able to help you. It has been almost five years since this happened to me. It is a good lesson in always checking the simple stuff first.

[amurphy313]

 I also registered just to say thanks! Found your solution after digging through a ton of google results. Thank you so much for posting this. This was driving me crazy.