What is causing the OS to stop sending signal to screen?

February 5, 2009 2:43 PM

XP Home newly loaded from partition ie they didn't give me OS disks, old desktop Compaq Presario, it all loaded fine, goes through it's little startup procedure fine (ie what language, accepting EULAs, time zone, etc and etc) and then -- drum roll -- time to boot into XP. Reboots, XP sign with little graphic trucking left and right, and then --

And then nothing; the screen goes blank. I think it goes on through it's boot process, I know I heard it's goofy logoff music when I hit cntl-alt-del to see if that'd shake anything up.

It's on an LCD, the message on the screen from the LCD is different from when there is no power on -- it tells me 'Signal Out Of Range' -- I know this is not from the OS but rather from the LCD but I include it because it is different than if the computer is turned off.

It's really annoying -- I know that the puter works because I have it working using a different hard drive but loaded using a store-bought version of XP Home thus I need to use the store-bought version key, which is total bs as I have a legal copy on the machine but just cannot access the OS for whatever reason.

Alternately, how does one go about getting an ISO of XP Home that my OEM key will work on -- I'm not asking anything illegal, I just want the dang puter to light up and sing to me. Or something. It's an old garbage can, I'm going to use it solely as a file server or I may even give it away, not sure yet, what I AM sure of is that I want to use the OEM version of XP Home which I've paid licensing fee on when I bought the stupid thing, lo those long years gone by.

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

I had very similar symptoms to this when I had a problem with my default resolution. Booting to safe mode is a pretty good bet if this is the case. Give that a shot before you go hunting for install ISOs.

Alternatively if all you want is a file server, install Linux!
posted by fearnothing at 2:51 PM on February 5, 2009

Your refresh rate is too high. You need to boot in Safe Mode (hold down F8 as the machine is booting) and change the screen refresh rate. Right-click Desktop, then Properties, Settings tab, Advanced options, Monitor, and change the refresh rate probably to 60 Hertz.
posted by turgid dahlia at 2:51 PM on February 5, 2009

The "Signal out of Range" means your video signal isn't compatible with your display, so do what everyone else is saying.

But, if by some chance you do want a CD, call 800 360 7561, and you should be able to get a CD no problem.
posted by niles at 3:38 PM on February 5, 2009

Call HP/Compaq. They sold it, they need to give you the disks.
posted by gjc at 3:42 PM on February 5, 2009

This will show up if your refresh rate or resolution is out of range for the LCD. Turgid Dahlia has the right approach, before the splash screen appears, tap the F8 key...it will give you the option of entering Safe Mode.

Once in Safe Mode, try changing the refresh rate per turgid's instruction...also while you're there, drop the resoltion down as far as it will go....reboot, and then try bumping the resolution back up in baby steps (this way it'll time out if it doesn't work and return to the last known good resolution)
posted by samsara at 4:09 PM on February 5, 2009

Great answers, gang -- thank you so much. I put up this post and then had to jam on out the door, is why it's taken me so long to respond -- I'm just now back home.

I attempted to boot into safe mode only to be shot down, said that I'd not completely installed the OS; I click 'OK' and bang, it's back into re-boot. Again, very annoying.

I am going to try (tomorrow) calling both Microsoft and Compaq, as per your instructions -- this isn't my fault and I have in fact done my part, now it's their turn, one or the other or both. I've had such great luck with MS support that I think I am going to try there first. I've knocked MS as much as the next guy and maybe more but the fact is that the few times which I have had to call them, they have come through with no problems.

So I'll try them, CPQ if MS doesn't come through, jump off the roof if neither of them comes through -- I'll keep you all posted.

Thanx again to you all --- I surely do love 'this place' ie MetaFilter MetaAsk et all...

Peace.
posted by dancestoblue at 8:41 PM on February 5, 2009