Can this computer be saved?

October 23, 2008 3:15 PM

How do I force Windows to boot into safe mode without access to the screen and limited functionality of the keyboard?

I have an old HP Pavillion that I have hooked up to my television via S-video. I don't want it to do anything complicated, just play videos & music, occasionally browse the web and play emulated video games.

It had Windows 2000 on it, so I decided to try and install XP Home. I left Windows 2000 on the computer on a seperate partition, and got all the way through the install process. When I rebooted the computer (and on all subsequent reboots) the screen was rolling and split in half.

I attempted to run it in safe mode, but hitting F8 while the computer is loading does not work, nor does attempting to use the arrow keys to choose which OS I want to use. The keyboard works once the computer is in Windows, as I can see a vague outline of the menu when I hit the button. I assume that it's not the video connection, as everything shows up fine until I actually get into Windows, and I've used the same cable to hook another computer up to the TV.

So, I can't see anything on the screen and the keyboard doesn't work during the startup process. Is there anything I can do to force the system into safe mode, so I can change the settings? Should I just give up?

posted by lemonwheel to computers & internet (6 comments total)

Can you remove the hard drive and put it into another computer? You could then back up your files before reinstalling Windows.

You could also try downloading a Knoppix startup disc image (from another computer) and using that to get access to and to back up your files, before reinstalling Windows.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:19 PM on October 23, 2008

It sounds like your computer's resolution and refresh rate are too high for your TV to handle. Connect the computer to a computer monitor. That will allow you to change its resolution and refresh rate to lower values that the TV can handle.
posted by cnc at 3:47 PM on October 23, 2008 [1 favorite]

It sounds like your computer's resolution and refresh rate are too high for your TV to handle. Connect the computer to a computer monitor. That will allow you to change its resolution and refresh rate to lower values that the TV can handle.

TV screens have a weird resolution - I think it's something like 352x480 for older tvs.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 4:08 PM on October 23, 2008

If you can get into your BIOS, see if there's a setting for USB Legacy Support...your built-in keyboard might be using USB, which is why it isn't working prior to Windows.

And I agree with the above on screen resolutions, drop it down to the lowest setting and slowly work your way up. Also drop the refresh rate down to 60hz if it is set higher.
posted by samsara at 6:15 PM on October 23, 2008

Yep, your tv is being fed a funny resolution. Grab a monitor. or a known good ps/2 keyboard so you can go into safe more.


Or boot up and hit windows+r then type in control.exe

You should have the control panel up. Type D twice and that will take you to the display. Press enter and you should have the display box up. Try to use the tab key or click on the settings tab and slide the display down to 640x480.
posted by damn dirty ape at 7:46 PM on October 23, 2008

2nd-ing what dd ape said but adding a couple steps if you want to try to change the resolution.

- hit windows+r
- type control.exe
- hit enter
- type D 2 times
- hit enter
- hit ctrl+tab 4 times
- hit tab 3 times
- hit the left arrow key a number of times (you want the slider to go all the way to the left so 10 should work)
- hit enter
- voila (if the resolution is the only issue, anyway)
posted by masher at 8:04 PM on October 23, 2008