My computer crashed a week ago. I have finally got it running again, but this is driving me nuts. I thinks its a easy fix, but dont remember what to do. My desktop theme is all wild. The pixels are all a mess as are the colors, Icons are larger, everything is wider. Im taking a walk on the wild side. The appearance is that similar of starting in Safe mode. Help......

Also forgot to mention that my mouse cursor dissappeared. I figured out how to get it working again. Just have not been able to get rid of my massive icons and ect...

Go into the Control Panel (click Start menu, go to Settings, then Control Panel). Double-click the Display icon. Check a few things:

1) Click the Settings Tab. Click the Advanced button. Click the Adapters tab. Make sure it doesn't have "Generic Display Adapter" or "Generic VGA Adapter" listed. If it does, you must go to the website of the person who manufactured your card and download their software, which should fix your problem.

If you have an nVidia/Geforce video card, download the software here:

http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp (choose one item from each box)

If you have an ATi video card, download the software here:

http://www.ati.com/support/driver.html (choose your version of Windows from the list)

After installing, a reboot is required.

2) If #1 is not applicable to you (the correct video card is showing in the Adapters tab), then, exit out of that advanced menu and get back to the normal Display menu. Click on the Settings tab, Set the resolution to something higher than 800x600 and that the Color Quality is "16 bit" or higher. You probably want to use something like 1024x768 or higher for the resolution. Apply the settings if you change anything.

2) Click the Appearance tab. Click the "Effects" button and make sure all of the boxes EXCEPT "use large icons" are checked (enabled). In the second dropdown menu, choose "Clear Type" then click APPLY, then OK and reboot.

I think this should fix you right up. If you are using a pre-manufactured computer (like a Dell, HP, Compaq, Sony or whatever) please give me the model number and I'll try to help you more. This problem could be caused by any number of things, but most often it's because you don't have the right drivers (software) installed.

Did you ever get that fan replaced? Also, your mouse cursor disappeared -- do you mean the mouse isn't working because you can't see the cursor? If yes, does the Mouse show in the Device list of Hardware Manager (double-click the System icon in the Control Panel to get to the Hardware tab, then into Device Manager).

Well, for what ever reason, it appears that I do need a new driver download. My
system says it cant fint I/O range to run my current software. I tried to get a new DL at the ATI website, but it keeps going to an "Unauthorized Download". I figured out that what I have is a ATI Raeon 7200. Im close to hucking this thing .

What version of Windows are you runnin?

Millenium

Yuck. Ok. No wonder the computer crashed :) :lol:

Try to download and install this package:

https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/6-2_wme_dd_cp_30314.exe

Afterwards, reboot. Let me know if that works out for you.

Still no luck being able to download from the ATI website. Do you think any of their software they sell here http://shop.ati.com/searchresults.asp?dept_id=19 would help? Did I mention I am a Netscape user?

Shoot, i had problems with the download also. ATI has something setup where you gotta click the link direct from their site. Bleh.

Ok, tell you what, download it from one of my websites. I grabbed it for you. Let me know if this download works - if it does, install it and be sure to save a copy somewhere in case you ever hafta reinstall again! I need to know when you're finished with it so I can delete it from my website.

Link: http://satellitehead.com/uploads/6-2_wme_dd_cp_30314.exe

Let me know how it works out for ya.

Hi. I got the DL. Sorry it took so long, I work nights. Anyway I think for now Im giving up on my computer. I think I've been giving it CPR too long now anyway. Just hate to lose the stuff that was on it. Not sure what I did, but now it does not boot at all. I think im going to have to get a "boxed" system. Thank you for the help. Hope it was not too much trouble in vein of my lacking PC knowlege.

If you're down for paying shipping, ship the computer to me. I'll do my best to recover your data, failure to boot typically isn't a result of a dead hard drive. PM me for more info. If I can easily fix it with spare parts I got laying around (I got tons), you pay return shipping and we'll call it even. Just remember me if you ever need a favor.

I just did this for my friend's dad in PA, it cost me $21 to ship the computer up there. If you think it's a waste of money and you're going to toss it, please let me pay shipping to have it sent here. I recycle computers and give them to the less fortunate people in my neighborhood and I'll still extract your data and send it on a DVD or something.



If you're looking for a boxed system, check this deal out and read the NOTE below the links:

Laptop ($449): http://dealnews.com/deals/Dell-Inspiron-B120-1-4-GHz-14-Widescreen-Notebook-for-449/111135.html

Dell Desktop w/17" LCD flat panel monitor ($539): http://dealnews.com/deals/Dell-Dimension-E310-Pentium-4-2-8-GHz-Desktop-w-17-LCD-for-539/111115.html

Dell Desktop w/19" LCD flat panel monitor ($599): http://dealnews.com/deals/Dell-Dimension-5150-Pentium-4-3-GHz-Desktop-w-19-LCD-for-599/111205.html

Dell Dual Core Pentium CPU w/20" Widescreen LCD flat panel monitor ($879): http://dealnews.com/deals/Dell-Dimension-9150-Pentium-Dual-Core-PC-w-20-widescreen-LCD-for-879/111134.html (KILLER DEAL!!)


NOTE NOTE NOTE: Be sure to add the 3yr warranty to the deal! You should always buy the manufacturer warranty (not the store warranty) with new computer purchases these days - Dell has the best warranty in the business, seriously.

I just set my girlfriend's mom up with one of the above deals. She's incredibly happy. I'm sure you'll be the same.

Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Sent PM