Member Avatar for chukeej

I recently did a full system recovery of my WinXP Home. Thank God everything went well. However, whenever I boot(ed) up I kept getting this annoying splash CONTRAST screen window which caused me no end of fits since I couldn't get to see what was behind the window, and my mouse could not access any of the onscreen Contrast displays...(horizontal/vertical/bright etc). I was told by a friend to try the plus and/or minus on the keyboard then Exit (?) on the monitor...seemed it worked for a while then it would return endlessly. I don't know how I finally managed to get rid of it, but perhaps someone here might have a more detailed explanation for a fix if this ever happens to me or anyone else. Thanks to everyone on Daniweb for all your assistance.

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Dani AI

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This sounds like an on‑screen display (OSD) coming from the monitor, not a Windows dialog. A simple, reliable way to tell is: press Print Screen, open Paint and paste. If the CONTRAST box does NOT appear in the pasted image, it is a hardware OSD (monitor firmware/buttons); if it does appear, it is a software overlay from Windows or a vendor utility.

If it is a hardware OSD:

  • Power‑cycle the monitor: unplug power and video for 30–60 seconds, then reconnect.
  • Inspect and gently press each front‑panel button (they can stick). Many models have an OSD lock/unlock—press and hold the menu or a specific button for 10–20 seconds to toggle it; check the manual for the exact sequence.
  • If the monitor has a remote, remove its batteries or cover the IR receiver while testing.
  • If available in the OSD, disable DDC/CI or reset to factory defaults (DDC/CI allows software to change monitor settings; more detail at Display Data Channel (DDC)).
  • If the OSD cannot be dismissed at all, note the make/model and consult the vendor support for an OSD/firmware recovery procedure rather than attempting risky updates.

If it is a software overlay:

  • Look for display utilities in the system tray (vendor control panels, calibration or hotkey services). Temporarily disable them or perform a clean boot / Safe Mode test to isolate the offending process.
  • Check accessibility shortcuts (high‑contrast) and any hotkey handlers supplied by graphics utilities—those can trigger on‑screen controls.
  • Collect the monitor model, cable type (VGA/DVI/HDMI), and recent software changes; those details make troubleshooting or vendor support much faster.

This diagnostic path (screenshot first, then hardware vs software steps) will show whether to focus on the monitor buttons/OSD or on Windows/utility software. Thanks to for the original report and for prompting hardware checks—the screenshot test will quickly tell which route to take.

Member Avatar for benmar

what is the brand of your video card? is it built in or external? if it is built in try update the driver of your video card...

Member Avatar for benmar

try to used another monitor....see what happens

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