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Soooo, I fucked up my family's computer

Topic: Soooo, I fucked up my family's computer (Read 1042 times)

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Jinoji_Dude

#1 October 13, 2008, 03:46:55 am

Quark Soup.
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Joined: Jun 6, 2002
Posts: 6

Ok, so I accidentally got what I'm assuming is a Virus on my family's computer and had to format everything. Then I tried reinstalling XP on it, since that fixed the problem once before.

The big problem is this: The computer monitor is now stuck in a really low resolution and color setting, and refuses to be changed. No matter what I try, nothing will work. I've never encountered this problem before, and it just seems so strange to me.

Would anyone have any idea as to why this might be occurring? I realize I'm not providing a lot of information, but yeah.

Does this have anything to do with drivers or whatnot?

Should I just wipe the C: drive? I really screwed the pooch on this one for sure, I feel like an idiot for ruining my family's computer like this. I feel as though there are old files on the computer that are screwing with the reinstalling of XP.

If anyone has the foggiest idea as to what might be wrong, please let me know.

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pburn

#2 October 13, 2008, 03:51:46 am

What, me worry?
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Posts: 1752

Reinstall video drivers?

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Aten

#3 October 13, 2008, 04:12:58 am

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Joined: Jun 2, 2005
Posts: 2014

That, and if it's nvidia, then usually there are options in your tray bar, rightclick menu, or in the CP.

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Jinoji_Dude

#4 October 13, 2008, 03:35:45 pm

Quark Soup.
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Joined: Jun 6, 2002
Posts: 6

Ok, well right now it seems like my graphics card just doesnt exist on this computer, or at least it's not recognized at all. I checked the dxdiag thing, and under device, there's just nothing. It doesnt seem to know what my monitor is or what processor is running the computer or something... So how can I find out which drivers to get to put onto my computer to make it run properly?

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Jinoji_Dude

#5 October 13, 2008, 05:44:18 pm

Quark Soup.
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Joined: Jun 6, 2002
Posts: 6

Update: I managed to fix the graphics problem and everything, but now my computer won't connect to the interweb (i'm using my laptop right now).

When I check the IP address using ipconfig, it just says "Windows IP Configuration" instead of listing my current IP and everything. Will I just have to call my provider to deal with that problem? (I'm in Canada, on Rogers, if that will help at all).

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goat

#6 October 13, 2008, 06:05:51 pm

BAA2U
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Posts: 1403

After reformatting your drive, and reinstalling XP, your computer has no information from your previous installation stored on that drive. You will need drivers for everything. Motherboard, video, audio, and network are priority. If you do not know what parts your system has, look up your model number of your computer if it's prebuilt. If you have a custom system, you should be able to look inside the case and read the information on the motherboard/cards, put the model numbers in google and you should be able to tell what they are. Always download the latest drivers. Don't use your installation CD, or the microsoft drivers for the device that came with windows.

Obviously your first issue was with no video drivers, and now you're having an issue with no network/motherboard drivers. After installing motherboard, network, video, and audio drivers, you will then need drivers for whatever other devices or peripherals you have. You'll also want to install the latest service pack for xp (sp3) and any other critical windows updates after that.

Last Edit: October 13, 2008, 06:08:05 pm by goat

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Vanit

#7 October 14, 2008, 04:26:28 am

Comrade!
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Posts: 525

Yeah, sounds like you're running off the onboard graphics card because you forgot to reinstall the proper drivers.

"the way you speak about rm2k3, like "modules, arrays, pointers" sounds like
you're some badass c++ programmer stuck in the past and only has rm2k3 to
work with" -Gutts

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Death Gulp

#8 October 14, 2008, 12:09:14 pm

C-Flow FTW!
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Posts: 571

Yup don't forget your wireless card adaptor driver and whatnot.

Quote from: Louie82Y

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goldenratio

#9 October 15, 2008, 03:54:56 am

now das fresh
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Posts: 4550

Quote from: Vanit on October 14, 2008, 04:26:28 am

Yeah, sounds like you're running off the onboard graphics card because you forgot to reinstall the proper drivers.

FYI this is incorrect, onboard graphics cards and generic windows video drivers are different things. Onboard graphics are have their own video output, separate from the graphics card. The reason his computer looked like shit and was stuck at a low resolution was not because it was using the onboard graphics (because then...he wouldn't see anything) but because it was using the default video drivers included with windows, which are just enough to display the OS but not very well. I dunno I just felt the need to point this out.

yes coulombs are "germaine", did you learn that word at talk like a dick school?

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Vanit

#10 October 15, 2008, 04:08:57 am

Comrade!
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Joined: Sep 1, 2003
Posts: 525

Insanely low resolution and poor colours isn't a symptom of the XP default graphics drivers. They can handle the OS fine (including colours) and menial tasks providing your computer is half decent. Its only when it comes to scrolling through explorer, 3d rendering and other intensive tasks that they turn to shit. It sounds like he's describing safe mode, which uses the onboard video output.

I might not be 100% correct, but everytime I reformat the graphics are fine without the drivers, aside from the drawbacks I mentioned. And if something other than this is happening, I doubt its to do with the default graphics drivers.

It was wrong of me, however, to say that his computer is using onboard as a result of not having the right drivers. That is definitely incorrect.

Last Edit: October 15, 2008, 04:11:02 am by Vanit

"the way you speak about rm2k3, like "modules, arrays, pointers" sounds like
you're some badass c++ programmer stuck in the past and only has rm2k3 to
work with" -Gutts

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goldenratio

#11 October 15, 2008, 04:19:15 am

now das fresh
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Joined: Jun 27, 2002
Posts: 4550

Oh yeah, basically XP is fine as far as that goes, my bad. Sometimes (probably depends on the OS and the actual graphics card you have) when reformatting I would have the card set to like, 640x480 and have like 16 COLORS so that's what I was thinking of. Yeah it can display colors and everything fine, but dragging a window will be choppy etc like you said. But yeah safe mode doesn't use onboard video either. Nothing uses onboard video unless you have the BIOS set to use the onboard video. I've gone into safe mode hundreds of times and usually the video drivers aren't loaded (aka safe mode, no drivers are loaded) but it will run through your card no prob.

Sorry if i came off a little harsh I didn't mean to!

yes coulombs are "germaine", did you learn that word at talk like a dick school?

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Brad

#12 October 15, 2008, 04:20:17 am

MURRY CRITSMATS
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Joined: Nov 26, 2004
Posts: 756

I actually had this problem with my old room computer before.. at that time my mom had access to free old computers and we went through about 4 since they all had various problems. It's somewhere in my garage, with old rpg maker projects and the like on the hard drive. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what the fuck was wrong with it so I just gave up.

Maybe I should go get it and check out some of my old shit... from like... last year?

Thank for reminding me!

R.I.P Steel

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Vanit

#13 October 15, 2008, 04:31:16 am

Comrade!
Group: Member
Joined: Sep 1, 2003
Posts: 525

Don't worry about it, goldenratio.

I didn't know that safe mode wasn't using onboard. I tried looking it up, but couldn't really find anything. Thanks for the clarification.

"the way you speak about rm2k3, like "modules, arrays, pointers" sounds like
you're some badass c++ programmer stuck in the past and only has rm2k3 to
work with" -Gutts

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goat

#14 October 15, 2008, 10:09:02 pm

BAA2U
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Joined: Aug 7, 2007
Posts: 1403

Vanit: It all depends where he's plugging the monitor into. Most PCs automatically set either onboard or PCIE/AGP/PCI depending on which was plugged into the monitor when the system was turned on. And even though windows may seem fine with default drivers, the performance will be dramatically reduced along with compatibility. You won't even have as much resolution choice. Some of the older cards will have the horrible 16 color, low res settings. But even though more recent video cards will look to run windows just fine, they won't perform NEAR as efficient as with proper updated drivers from the manufacturer.

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Bob The Bobish

#15 October 18, 2008, 01:32:35 am

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Joined: Jan 29, 2007
Posts: 39

The above is right your just missing drivers for the mobo and vid card(s)

I'd just like to butt in with an 'in case this happens again scenario'

There is no virus that requires a reformat! Get some anti virus protection on there (heck AVG and several others are free) and in the future don't be so hasty to reformat. If you can't fix it then google your problem and find one of the many malware forums that can help you out.

Sorry but after 'reviving' several work computers when everyone else says reformat or *shudder* use system restore (far worse than a virus IMO) malware is a bit of a touchy subject for me ;)

Just remember viruses are like video games only more satisfying when you win!

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