Windows XP boot problems

[marinlicina]

Ok, I've just encountered this problem I can't seem to solve.

The introduction is that I have 2 Windows XP versions installed, and when I start up the PC the boot manager asks me to select which Windows I want to start up.

It worked fine untill today, when I tried to make the boot manager dissapear if not called upon (to just boot the selected version of XP). I thought the command you can select from the boot manager advanced menu (F8) that's called "Start up with last working configuration" would do the trick. It didn't.

And what's worse is that when I start up the selected version of Windows, it looks like safe mode (it isn't, but it looks the same) with 4bit color and 640x480 resolution. I've immediately checked to set the resolution and color depth, but it won't let me go beyond the 640 and 4 bit :s
I've then checked to see if my 17" monitor and my GeForce 3 were recognised by the system, and yepp, they were there allright... So the system recognises the hardware but won't let it go past 640x480 and 4 bit color.

I usually run 1280x1024 on 32bit color with 85Hz, so my system can handle it, but Windows won't let it. Looks a lot like safe mode to me...

But my question is, before I get a seizure from this 60Hz refresh rate, how to set the boot settings back so I can use the colours/resolutions again???

Please help me out...

P.S. I've checked and the other Windows runs the way it should, no problems there.

[Jitterbug]

Have you tried to use System Restore on the version you are having a problem with. Or you could reinstall the video drivers in that version.
I don't know what size your hard drive is, but have you cleaned out the temp files, empty the recycle bin , and do a defrag lately? Using a registry cleaner may help. Microsoft has one but you need to watch the version. I think it is 4.3 for use on XP, check the Microsoft site. The hives may be all screwed up with bad keys and junk.
Can I ask why you have two of the same OS?

Here are a couple of links: http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q316434
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q318159
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q307545

[hopeless_4ever]

Ok.... well, if you want to eliminate one of the OS choices on the boot-up and have windows always load the defualt selected version of Windows XP, you can try deleting a line form boot.ini...... and as for your display problems, just install the video card drivers again.... it happened to me too.

[birdbrain]

Originally Posted by hopeless_4ever

...... and as for your display problems, just install the video card drivers again.... it happened to me too.

i'm a moron. how do i find my display drivers to install?

i installed winxp on my sony vaio because the sony vaio system recovery disks were useless. everything seems to have gone well, except that now my screen's stuck at 640/480 and 4 bit, with no option to change it, and i have no idea where to find the drivers to install.

ugh.

[Scorpion2k6]

yep i just had that problem 5 minutes ago . thanks to the person who suggested downloading the driver. to find your driver just google it