posted
First off, after downloading the latest drivers for my graphics card, I decided to first uninstall my old drivers since the last time I didn't do this and it caused a few problems. Next, before installing the new display drivers I rebooted the machine, like you do, and lo and behold I get a blank screen. Why? because my monitor is on DVI-D and since I uninstalled the drivers, the PC no longer knows how to talk to it. "No Problem" I said to myself, "I'll just plug in to the serial port" except of course, when I looked at the back of the computer there isn't a serial port...well there is, but it's the wrong gender (pins out) so the cable won't fit. "Ok, Plan-B!" I said, "I'll stick the hard drive in another machine!" except of course by HDs are all SATA while the other machines in the house are ATA, so again, the cables won't fit and now I'm stumped! Feel free to point and laugh or (preferably) point out a blindingly obvious solution that I failed to think of!
posted
I meant plug a monitor into the serial port on the motherboard as opposed the the DVI-D ports on the graphics card. Sorry, that wasn't very clear was it.
Saltah'na
Chinese Canadian, or 75% Commie Bastard.
Member # 33
posted
No, the PC should know how to talk to it regardless of what input you're using. Does the PC show any information on the screen on DVI-D before it logs into Windows? Can you get into BIOS? If you are unable to see anything from boot up to the OS loading, you may very well have a dead monitor or video card.
Press F8 when you are loading up your machine, between POST and when the Windows screen starts to come up. Select VGA mode and you should be able to get in. You'll need to reset your display settings as well.
-------------------- "And slowly, you come to realize, it's all as it should be, you can only do so much. If you're game enough, you could place your trust in me. For the love of life, there's a tradeoff, we could lose it all but we'll go down fighting...." - David Sylvian FreeSpace 2, the greatest space sim of all time, now remastered!
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Note: in common computer geek parlance, that's not a serial port. Serial ports usually refer to the 9-pin connection that ancient mice and other peripherals used. Monitor 15-pin connections are usually referred to as the VGA (or, more rarely, RGB) connection.
As for ATA/SATA problems, I feel your pain.
When I bought this computer, I'd intended to move an old storage drive to it. I looked online and found a SATA adapter, but it was crap and did not function. And, I didn't even consider the fact that even the power supply has changed, so I needed something for that as well in order to power the old hard drive and the adapter. Although I saw reference to adapters online, in my impatience I simply bought a new power supply. That is probably okay since the original was both small and literally had no other connector types at all, meaning any special maneuvers I might make would each require some adaptation, which in the end could get expensive depending on what I chose to do.
So at present, I have the new power supply with its old and new connectors powering everything, and the old hard drive connected to SATA by way of a ribbon-cable-width adapter circuit board which accepts a SATA cable and plugs into the back of the hard drive directly.
And no, this entire operation wasn't annoying at all.
(I lie!)
-------------------- . . . ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.
posted
I used to build my computers as a hobby/ cheap skate-purse pinching-money saving exercise. The last time I tried I found all the connections had changed, nothing was compatable and the whole thing is still in a box in my loft 'cause I gave up and bought a laptop.
-------------------- I have plenty of experience in biology. I bought a Tamagotchi in 1998... And... it's still alive.
Registered: Apr 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Reverend: Well that's odd, it's all working now without my doing anything. I wonder what that was all about!
I've had that happen when moving cards before. I freaked out. Then I left it for a while, turned it on just to see - and it just started working. I too was like "what the!?!".
-------------------- "Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica." - Jim Halpert. (The Office)
Da_bang80
A few sectors short of an Empire
Member # 528
posted
I never uninstall my old drivers when updating and I've never had a problem doing it that way.
Although if you're really adamant about uninstalling the old drivers first, rebooting in safe mode beforehand would have probably saved you a bit of a headache.
-------------------- Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. The courage to change the things I cannot accept. And the wisdom to hide the bodies of all the people I had to kill today because they pissed me off.
posted
Speaking of computer hijinks, I have an issue that I need to figure out.
My girlfriend had just finished paying off her laptop when she stepped on it (nrg) and cracked the screen. She managed with this for a couple months until she dropped it and the screen stopped working altogether. She bought a used replacement screen and when I installed it, the screen worked fine but the backlight failed to come on and there was a buzzing sound coming from the computer, almost like a bad ballast. I swapped out the backlights and all I would get was the Toshiba boot up screen at which it would stick and slowly fade to white. Now, however, I only get some vertical lines and that's it. I don't know what to do! She's already given up and started looking at new laptops but if I can get this working again I can have it...
-------------------- I haul cardboard and cardboard accessories
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Well obviously all you have to do is take it away and don't let her have another one since she clearly can't be trusted with a laptop!
Seriously though, it sounds like it's given up the ghost. You're lucky it worked at all after being trodden on AND dropped. Just whatever you do, don't let her anywhere near your machine!
posted
I think we need a sticky thread so everyone can moan about their computers buggering up without starting a new thread everytime.
...Anyway, I've some minor gremlins I've been unable to smoke out and thought I'd put it to the brain trust and see what you lot make of it!
Of late, when I've tried to install certain things like driver updates and new games, I get this message saying: -
"The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if you are running Windows in safe mode, or if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance."
Well it ain't in safemode and I've done the usual round of googleing to get the windows installer reinstalled (though it's still right there in the system 32 folder) and found a number of solutions, none of which appear to work. It's not been a huge issue so far, (though it pops up every time I start Mass Effect 2) more akin to that persistent squeak in the back of your car you keep telling yourself you'll track down, but actually just ignore and live with it right up until the suspension goes *prang*
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