PANIC!! Stopped VGA driver - no display

[TikkiRo]

OK - I know it was stupid, but I ran into problems when trying to get Win XP (SP2) to install my monitor and ended up now with no display at all. When I went into the display properties, it showed for the adapter a "VGA" process which was started and only gave me the option of stopping it, which I did, but that didn't allow me to get my own NVIDIA drivers installed (already installed on the drive but not showing here). The monitor was then shown as an "unknown" and again, no way of actually installing one as the button wasn't even available. SO, in desperation (and stupidity) I decided to disable the VGA component thinking that might force the system to look at the proper drivers but still no go. And now of course I have NO display whatsoever in Windows. Fine in DOS and right up until the point just after the XP logo, and obviously without a display I've little means of doing very much in that environment. Anyone any ideas on how best to sort this issue out - I have done some stuff in DOS Recovery for Win 2000 in the past, but not XP, and a long while ago, so would need a walkthrough. Fortunate to have my laptop to keep me sane just now, and get help from outside sources befoe I throw the thing out the window!!!

[Dax_Brandy]

format the drive again in DOS mode and start a fresh install. but if you have improtant files in the hdd, then you may attached it to another pc and bakup the data.

[TikkiRo]

Aww shucks, don't tell me it's THAT big a problem?? No way round to sorting it out in Dos or something then??

[Dax_Brandy]

well if you can change the vga settings in DOS, then that'll be fine. but i doubt if it's possible. have you tried booting windows in safe mode?

[excuzzzeme]

Try as D/B said to bring up in safe mode to uninstall/install correct drivers.

Use your XP CD to Repair your current configuration. ( Sine you can see and get into bios you should be able to change it to boot from the CD). Skip the first repair option and use the second one.

You shouldn't have to reformat as it is a driver issue.

[TikkiRo]

Had problems last night getting into SM as it kept hanging on one module (although appeared to have possibly loaded the VGA elements prior to it). Will try it again, and/or repair through the CD as i did get into the BIOS etc fine last night. Keep you posted, but truly appreciate the help

[excuzzzeme]

As far as monitor being "unknown" that is no big deal. It just means that windows can't identify it. That in itself has nothing to do with your video drivers (which determines your resolution, etc). If your lucky enough to have another monitor lying around, try plugging that one in, let windows install it (even if it is "unknown"). It may correct the problem then switch back. Sometimes this works if the "new" monitor is of a different brand mightl work as long as PnP has not been disabled.

[TikkiRo]

Yeah - I hear you on the monitor issue, - it wasn't the main one as much as the weird business of the display adapter coming up as a service, as opposed to a driver. Is this heard of and if so, (in case I encounter it again) any ideas how to remove that and force it to look for drivers instead? I'm well used to services elsewhere but have never come across one being used as a display adapter as such. Or is this another SP2 quirk perhaps, as I know I had the required drivers in there before upgrading to it as I said?

Thanks again for your help tho - Windows reinstalling as I write, and seems well sorted at last thankfully, although now obviously a ton of work to do on getting it back to some semblance of order.