[SOLVED] Windows 10 Safe Mode & Out of Range on Screen

spackbace on 03/10/2016 - 13:46
Last edited 03/10/2016 - 23:45

So, I need help, and my Google results are being lousy.

Mrs decided she wanted to change the colour profile of the screen, while she's messing with Photoshop etc. So, me being at work, I tell her where to find the display settings. Now here's where it gets messy. She changes a setting (likely the resolution, but could be something else) which is outside the screens parameters. Net result = no screen. Now it would appear that it's a setting that Windows has decided to not revert back after 20secs or so (like it normally does in case it's the wrong setting), and she's still stuck with no screen.

No from a Google search, it would appear that booting into Safe Mode isn't a simple thing now with Windows 10, and with no display, she can't simply go through the menu to find the option.

So, good people of OzB, what can I do to get that setting back/boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10?

Computing

Comments

  • Diji1 on 03/10/2016 - 13:55
    +1

    Press reset?

    Failing that if you have no screen at all for Windows 10 the only way I know is make an Windows 10 pre-installation disk on another computer, boot using that on the broken pooter and use the "Fix Windows" option.

  • spackbace on 03/10/2016 - 14:10

    Hoping this works, but she can wait till I get home lol:

    Thanks for sharing. I undertook two successive hard, failed startups (interrupted startup with power button) and got into safe mode automatically.

  • shapers on 03/10/2016 - 15:20
    +1

    Just a quick thought without digging too deep - maybe try hook it up to a monitor / tv and see if it shows up?

    • spackbace on 03/10/2016 - 15:21

      Yeah I considered that, but don't have another monitor and it's too damn hard moving a tv, but cheers :)

  • Cobalt_ on 03/10/2016 - 16:44
    +1

    Does the computer have multiple graphics outputs? If you transfer the display from output 1 to output 2 (or 3 or 4), windows should detect it as a new monitor and default to the monitor's native resolution.

    You could also try disconnecting the monitor cable and putting it back into the same output port and see if that resets the resolution

    • spackbace on 03/10/2016 - 16:45

      Just the 1 output I think, using the onboard graphics, don't have separate card yet.

      Yeah I thought about unplugging it etc as well

      • scrimshaw on 03/10/2016 - 20:18

        Do you have another TV or screen that has DVI / VGA?

        Plug another monitor into the computer. Windows would probably attempt to run the native resolution and settings on the recently-plugged-in device.

        Your computer should have the ability to have at least 2 video outputs at the same time — usually DVI and HDMI if the PC is not too old.

        If you don't have enough video ports, your next best choice is to just stick in a video card.

        • dlf73 on 03/10/2016 - 21:35

          I could be wrong but unless another screen supports the settings selected before it went tits up, then that will not work. Also another video card won't work AFAIK as windows will still display everything on the previous known primary monitor/display Port. The only way this will work if the current display output is a card that can be removed, and not on the MB.

  • ricmac on 03/10/2016 - 17:15
    +1

    Does monitor have power? lights on? Try starting PC without the monitor plugged in, then turn it off, re-plug monitor and re-start. windows might "find" it then.

  • dlf73 on 03/10/2016 - 19:16
    +1

    Try powering computer off. Then turn on and press F8 key. If that fails try again holding shift key down and pressing F8. Both times keep pressing F8 key many times until you either get a menu or typical windows starting screen.
    This may work, but if New computer good chance it will not!

    If you have access to another windows 10 system create a USB recovery drive or system repair disc.

    Boot from windows 10 media if you have it. If not download it and create it.

    Hope this helps.

  • spackbace on 03/10/2016 - 23:44

    Right, so for future readers

    To get the system to get into safe mode, interrupt the boot twice - When you see the spinning dots of Windows loading, reboot your comp (hold down power button). Do this twice and you'll go into Diagnostics mode, go through the options and you can reboot into another Diagnostic boot. From here, you can pick Safe Mode.

    Now, I kept booting into safe mode, and trying to fix things (deleting the relevant drivers etc). Problem was, because I was in safe mode, I couldn't get into the Intel program etc to change settings. Then I discovered another mode on the Diagnostics boot menu - it was something like "lower graphics settings" or some such. Basically full bootup but at Safe Mode resolution. Got into the Intel program, set the right res, rebooted, all good :)
    So not sure if it was a resolution or Hz screwup, either way, finally sorted!

    Now where's my night gone?! :/

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