Member Avatar for sjaston

Just installed a new secondhand computer with xp installed. Started working fine but could not change display settings to over 760 x9something. Went through troubleshooter instructions which took me to display, advanced, adapter and finally to automatic. When computer rebooted, no video input message came up. Can anyone help please

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Dani AI

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A short diagnostic note tied to earlier replies: the thread describes a secondhand Windows XP machine that lost video after a display change and reboot. Contributors , , and covered common software-recovery angles; the guidance below focuses on hardware and firmware checks and recovery methods not covered earlier.

Noninvasive checks that often isolate the issue:

  • Confirm the monitor input selector and cable type/adapter match the PC output (digital vs analog adapters can fail silently).
  • Inspect cable connectors and pins for damage and ensure firm seating.
  • Observe power/activity indicators: monitor power LED, GPU/PSU fans, HDD activity LED and keyboard LEDs — these give clues whether POST is occurring.
  • Listen for motherboard beep codes and cross-check them with the board manual; some motherboards also use front-panel LEDs or two-digit POST codes.

Safe hardware/firmware steps (power off and unplug before opening the case):

  • Reseat the video card in its slot and confirm any auxiliary PCIe power lead is attached. Reseat RAM modules.
  • If the motherboard has onboard video, remove the discrete card and move the display cable to the motherboard output for a comparison.
  • Reset BIOS to defaults by clearing CMOS (remove the CR2032 for several minutes or use the clear-jumper) to undo any firmware mis-detection.

Recovery and isolation without a working desktop:

  • Booting from a live USB (Linux or Windows PE) on the same machine tests video independent of installed drivers and allows file backup. If a live environment produces video, the problem is likely an OS/driver level issue; if not, suspect GPU/PSU/motherboard failure.
  • For hardware suspicion, swapping in a known-good GPU or PSU is the fastest isolation method.

Cautions and what to note for repair: always unplug mains and ground before touching components. Record model numbers, observed LEDs/beeps, cable types and whether any fans spin; that information is essential if professional repair is needed.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for rohan1111

Reboot the system press f8 and select "Last known good configuration".

Member Avatar for sjaston

Reboot the system press f8 and select "Last known good configuration".

thanks Rohan We tried that but nothing happened. Any other ideas?
Sharon

Member Avatar for Rik_

Do you see the bios screen or do you get nothing at all?

Member Avatar for savis1

Is it a display problem or a system boot problem? How did you go to Last known Good Configuration, when you don’t have display at all? Try with a different monitor to duplicate if the issue with the monitor or the system.

Member Avatar for yousafc#

1-
Boot System in safe mode when desktop appear click yes if any message come.then click Start ,All program,Accessories, System Tool and click Restore.When Restore Form appear click next and click Previous date Which is highlighted and click Next.Your system will restore your all previous setting after reboot the system Boot your system in normal mode.
If this is help, Thats good .
if not tell me about your problem Exactly

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