My Computer has taken a life of its own!!!

[Sheila Dickie]

Hi There!
I've been running XP Home for about 1-1/2 years with no
problems. My automatic update seems to be working all the
time as regularly there are updates ready to install.
However, yesterday, I received a message that sent me to
the Windows Download area. It scanned my system and told
me that I was missing 1 critical 9 optional and 1 driver
that needed to be installed. So I went about doing that.
The download time was EXTREMELY lengthy and took three
tries. Finally all was installed. Still my system
appeared to be fine. However last night when I came back
to computer, which is normally black screen until I touch
it with my mouse and then desktop appears immeditely (as I
am on cable). Anyway, instead, my whole screen was a back
and white of the "new" welcome screen I'd never seen
before. There were vertical lines though the entire
thing. As soon as it opened Windows, the desktop was the
same as the welcome screen so I rebooted and when the
desktop came up, it looked the way I expected it to except
that I got a notice that my COLOR SETTING and SCREEN
RESOLUTION were not at optimum and did I want Windows to
fix it. Of course I said Yes. However, nothing was
done. I've just spent hours trying to find a way to reset
my COLOR but there are NO OPTIONS. It is set on 4bit and
that's it! I've tried System Restore and even though 10
different patches were installed yesterday, when I tried
to go back to Monday and Tuesday, it said there had been
no changes. This is just not so. Please help me if you
know of anything I can do short of reinstalling Windows.
Thanks VERY MUCH!!!
Sheila Dickie

[Joe727]

Did you download the nVidia "critical" update from Windows Update?

Joe

"Sheila Dickie" > wrote in message
...
> Hi There!
> I've been running XP Home for about 1-1/2 years with no
> problems. My automatic update seems to be working all the
> time as regularly there are updates ready to install.
> However, yesterday, I received a message that sent me to
> the Windows Download area. It scanned my system and told
> me that I was missing 1 critical 9 optional and 1 driver
> that needed to be installed. So I went about doing that.
> The download time was EXTREMELY lengthy and took three
> tries. Finally all was installed. Still my system
> appeared to be fine. However last night when I came back
> to computer, which is normally black screen until I touch
> it with my mouse and then desktop appears immeditely (as I
> am on cable). Anyway, instead, my whole screen was a back
> and white of the "new" welcome screen I'd never seen
> before. There were vertical lines though the entire
> thing. As soon as it opened Windows, the desktop was the
> same as the welcome screen so I rebooted and when the
> desktop came up, it looked the way I expected it to except
> that I got a notice that my COLOR SETTING and SCREEN
> RESOLUTION were not at optimum and did I want Windows to
> fix it. Of course I said Yes. However, nothing was
> done. I've just spent hours trying to find a way to reset
> my COLOR but there are NO OPTIONS. It is set on 4bit and
> that's it! I've tried System Restore and even though 10
> different patches were installed yesterday, when I tried
> to go back to Monday and Tuesday, it said there had been
> no changes. This is just not so. Please help me if you
> know of anything I can do short of reinstalling Windows.
> Thanks VERY MUCH!!!
> Sheila Dickie

[Sheila Dickie]

Hi Joe
Yes that was the driver it said I needed so I installed it
bbut now it's taken over as the default Monitor for Plug
aand Play and I can't find my NEC Monitor anywhere. I
assume that has nVidia thing has something to do with my
problem so I tried uninstalling it. I got a message
saying it was gone but it's still there.
Sheila


>-----Original Message-----
>Did you download the nVidia "critical" update from
Windows Update?
>
>Joe
>
>"Sheila Dickie" > wrote in message
...
>> Hi There!
>> I've been running XP Home for about 1-1/2 years with no
>> problems. My automatic update seems to be working all
the
>> time as regularly there are updates ready to install.
>> However, yesterday, I received a message that sent me to
>> the Windows Download area. It scanned my system and
told
>> me that I was missing 1 critical 9 optional and 1 driver
>> that needed to be installed. So I went about doing
that.
>> The download time was EXTREMELY lengthy and took three
>> tries. Finally all was installed. Still my system
>> appeared to be fine. However last night when I came
back
>> to computer, which is normally black screen until I
touch
>> it with my mouse and then desktop appears immeditely
(as I
>> am on cable). Anyway, instead, my whole screen was a
back
>> and white of the "new" welcome screen I'd never seen
>> before. There were vertical lines though the entire
>> thing. As soon as it opened Windows, the desktop was
the
>> same as the welcome screen so I rebooted and when the
>> desktop came up, it looked the way I expected it to
except
>> that I got a notice that my COLOR SETTING and SCREEN
>> RESOLUTION were not at optimum and did I want Windows to
>> fix it. Of course I said Yes. However, nothing was
>> done. I've just spent hours trying to find a way to
reset
>> my COLOR but there are NO OPTIONS. It is set on 4bit
and
>> that's it! I've tried System Restore and even though 10
>> different patches were installed yesterday, when I tried
>> to go back to Monday and Tuesday, it said there had been
>> no changes. This is just not so. Please help me if you
>> know of anything I can do short of reinstalling Windows.
>> Thanks VERY MUCH!!!
>> Sheila Dickie
>
>.
>

[Harry Ohrn]

It sounds like your video drivers are corrupt. Reinstall them.

BTW while it is prudent to install Critical Updates you should never install
the Recommended Updates or the Drive Updates unless you have a specific need
for them.

--

Harry Ohrn - MS MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


"Sheila Dickie" > wrote in message
...
> Hi There!
> I've been running XP Home for about 1-1/2 years with no
> problems. My automatic update seems to be working all the
> time as regularly there are updates ready to install.
> However, yesterday, I received a message that sent me to
> the Windows Download area. It scanned my system and told
> me that I was missing 1 critical 9 optional and 1 driver
> that needed to be installed. So I went about doing that.
> The download time was EXTREMELY lengthy and took three
> tries. Finally all was installed. Still my system
> appeared to be fine. However last night when I came back
> to computer, which is normally black screen until I touch
> it with my mouse and then desktop appears immeditely (as I
> am on cable). Anyway, instead, my whole screen was a back
> and white of the "new" welcome screen I'd never seen
> before. There were vertical lines though the entire
> thing. As soon as it opened Windows, the desktop was the
> same as the welcome screen so I rebooted and when the
> desktop came up, it looked the way I expected it to except
> that I got a notice that my COLOR SETTING and SCREEN
> RESOLUTION were not at optimum and did I want Windows to
> fix it. Of course I said Yes. However, nothing was
> done. I've just spent hours trying to find a way to reset
> my COLOR but there are NO OPTIONS. It is set on 4bit and
> that's it! I've tried System Restore and even though 10
> different patches were installed yesterday, when I tried
> to go back to Monday and Tuesday, it said there had been
> no changes. This is just not so. Please help me if you
> know of anything I can do short of reinstalling Windows.
> Thanks VERY MUCH!!!
> Sheila Dickie

[Sheila Dickie]

Hi Joe!
I don't know what happened to my other response so I'll try
again. Yes nVidea is the driver I installed yesterday and
i it has taken over. It shows as the Monitor for my
system rather than it being my NEC one. I have no idea
why or how this happened... I assume it's part of the
install. Anyway, YES. Is there something I can do? I
have already tried uninstalling it and computer says it's
gone but it's still there. I've tried the "roll back to
previous driver" ... nothing changed.
Sheila Dickie



>-----Original Message-----
>Did you download the nVidia "critical" update from
Windows Update?
>
>Joe
>
>"Sheila Dickie" > wrote in message
...
>> Hi There!
>> I've been running XP Home for about 1-1/2 years with no
>> problems. My automatic update seems to be working all
the
>> time as regularly there are updates ready to install.
>> However, yesterday, I received a message that sent me to
>> the Windows Download area. It scanned my system and
told
>> me that I was missing 1 critical 9 optional and 1 driver
>> that needed to be installed. So I went about doing
that.
>> The download time was EXTREMELY lengthy and took three
>> tries. Finally all was installed. Still my system
>> appeared to be fine. However last night when I came
back
>> to computer, which is normally black screen until I
touch
>> it with my mouse and then desktop appears immeditely
(as I
>> am on cable). Anyway, instead, my whole screen was a
back
>> and white of the "new" welcome screen I'd never seen
>> before. There were vertical lines though the entire
>> thing. As soon as it opened Windows, the desktop was
the
>> same as the welcome screen so I rebooted and when the
>> desktop came up, it looked the way I expected it to
except
>> that I got a notice that my COLOR SETTING and SCREEN
>> RESOLUTION were not at optimum and did I want Windows to
>> fix it. Of course I said Yes. However, nothing was
>> done. I've just spent hours trying to find a way to
reset
>> my COLOR but there are NO OPTIONS. It is set on 4bit
and
>> that's it! I've tried System Restore and even though 10
>> different patches were installed yesterday, when I tried
>> to go back to Monday and Tuesday, it said there had been
>> no changes. This is just not so. Please help me if you
>> know of anything I can do short of reinstalling Windows.
>> Thanks VERY MUCH!!!
>> Sheila Dickie
>
>.
>

[Sheila Dickie]

Hi Harry...
Thanks for the good advice. I'll try updating the video
drivers. Thanks!
Sheila
>-----Original Message-----
>It sounds like your video drivers are corrupt. Reinstall
them.
>
>BTW while it is prudent to install Critical Updates you
should never install
>the Recommended Updates or the Drive Updates unless you
have a specific need
>for them.
>
>--
>
>Harry Ohrn - MS MVP [Shell/User]
>www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
>
>
>"Sheila Dickie" > wrote in message
...
>> Hi There!
>> I've been running XP Home for about 1-1/2 years with no
>> problems. My automatic update seems to be working all
the
>> time as regularly there are updates ready to install.
>> However, yesterday, I received a message that sent me to
>> the Windows Download area. It scanned my system and
told
>> me that I was missing 1 critical 9 optional and 1 driver
>> that needed to be installed. So I went about doing
that.
>> The download time was EXTREMELY lengthy and took three
>> tries. Finally all was installed. Still my system
>> appeared to be fine. However last night when I came
back
>> to computer, which is normally black screen until I
touch
>> it with my mouse and then desktop appears immeditely
(as I
>> am on cable). Anyway, instead, my whole screen was a
back
>> and white of the "new" welcome screen I'd never seen
>> before. There were vertical lines though the entire
>> thing. As soon as it opened Windows, the desktop was
the
>> same as the welcome screen so I rebooted and when the
>> desktop came up, it looked the way I expected it to
except
>> that I got a notice that my COLOR SETTING and SCREEN
>> RESOLUTION were not at optimum and did I want Windows to
>> fix it. Of course I said Yes. However, nothing was
>> done. I've just spent hours trying to find a way to
reset
>> my COLOR but there are NO OPTIONS. It is set on 4bit
and
>> that's it! I've tried System Restore and even though 10
>> different patches were installed yesterday, when I tried
>> to go back to Monday and Tuesday, it said there had been
>> no changes. This is just not so. Please help me if you
>> know of anything I can do short of reinstalling Windows.
>> Thanks VERY MUCH!!!
>> Sheila Dickie
>
>
>.
>

[Joe727]

I saw that nVidia update on Windows Update which lists it as a critical
update. *Never* install video or sound drivers from Windows Update. In my
experience, they cause nothing but problems.

Download and install the Version: 45.23 Release Date: August 13, 2003 WHQL
Certified drivers directly from nVidia.

http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

Uninstall the drivers you got from Windows Update first.

Joe


"Sheila Dickie" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Joe!
> I don't know what happened to my other response so I'll try
> again. Yes nVidea is the driver I installed yesterday and
> i it has taken over. It shows as the Monitor for my
> system rather than it being my NEC one. I have no idea
> why or how this happened... I assume it's part of the
> install. Anyway, YES. Is there something I can do? I
> have already tried uninstalling it and computer says it's
> gone but it's still there. I've tried the "roll back to
> previous driver" ... nothing changed.
> Sheila Dickie
>
>
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Did you download the nVidia "critical" update from
> Windows Update?
> >
> >Joe
> >
> >"Sheila Dickie" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Hi There!
> >> I've been running XP Home for about 1-1/2 years with no
> >> problems. My automatic update seems to be working all
> the
> >> time as regularly there are updates ready to install.
> >> However, yesterday, I received a message that sent me to
> >> the Windows Download area. It scanned my system and
> told
> >> me that I was missing 1 critical 9 optional and 1 driver
> >> that needed to be installed. So I went about doing
> that.
> >> The download time was EXTREMELY lengthy and took three
> >> tries. Finally all was installed. Still my system
> >> appeared to be fine. However last night when I came
> back
> >> to computer, which is normally black screen until I
> touch
> >> it with my mouse and then desktop appears immeditely
> (as I
> >> am on cable). Anyway, instead, my whole screen was a
> back
> >> and white of the "new" welcome screen I'd never seen
> >> before. There were vertical lines though the entire
> >> thing. As soon as it opened Windows, the desktop was
> the
> >> same as the welcome screen so I rebooted and when the
> >> desktop came up, it looked the way I expected it to
> except
> >> that I got a notice that my COLOR SETTING and SCREEN
> >> RESOLUTION were not at optimum and did I want Windows to
> >> fix it. Of course I said Yes. However, nothing was
> >> done. I've just spent hours trying to find a way to
> reset
> >> my COLOR but there are NO OPTIONS. It is set on 4bit
> and
> >> that's it! I've tried System Restore and even though 10
> >> different patches were installed yesterday, when I tried
> >> to go back to Monday and Tuesday, it said there had been
> >> no changes. This is just not so. Please help me if you
> >> know of anything I can do short of reinstalling Windows.
> >> Thanks VERY MUCH!!!
> >> Sheila Dickie
> >
> >.
> >

[Sheila Dickie]

Hi Joe!
Somehow after my 4th reboot, after trying the "roll over
to previous driver" button, it actually rolled it over.
I'm not 100% sure but I think I'm now running the version
you suggest here. Anyway, things appear to be back to
normal now but I just realized I haven't rebooted since
discovering that I could finally choose a different color
setting. Anyway, I'll do it right now and will come right
back and tell you if I'm not okay. THANKS A MILLION!!!
I really appreciate your help and I'll take your good
advice. No more Windows updates unless my system just
brings them to me on the automatic update thing.
Sheila

>-----Original Message-----
>I saw that nVidia update on Windows Update which lists it
as a critical
>update. *Never* install video or sound drivers from
Windows Update. In my
>experience, they cause nothing but problems.
>
>Download and install the Version: 45.23 Release Date:
August 13, 2003 WHQL
>Certified drivers directly from nVidia.
>
>http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp
>
>Uninstall the drivers you got from Windows Update first.
>
>Joe
>
>
>"Sheila Dickie" > wrote in message
...
>> Hi Joe!
>> I don't know what happened to my other response so I'll
try
>> again. Yes nVidea is the driver I installed yesterday
and
>> i it has taken over. It shows as the Monitor for my
>> system rather than it being my NEC one. I have no idea
>> why or how this happened... I assume it's part of the
>> install. Anyway, YES. Is there something I can do? I
>> have already tried uninstalling it and computer says
it's
>> gone but it's still there. I've tried the "roll back to
>> previous driver" ... nothing changed.
>> Sheila Dickie
>>
>>
>>
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >Did you download the nVidia "critical" update from
>> Windows Update?
>> >
>> >Joe
>> >
>> >"Sheila Dickie" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> Hi There!
>> >> I've been running XP Home for about 1-1/2 years with
no
>> >> problems. My automatic update seems to be working
all
>> the
>> >> time as regularly there are updates ready to install.
>> >> However, yesterday, I received a message that sent
me to
>> >> the Windows Download area. It scanned my system and
>> told
>> >> me that I was missing 1 critical 9 optional and 1
driver
>> >> that needed to be installed. So I went about doing
>> that.
>> >> The download time was EXTREMELY lengthy and took
three
>> >> tries. Finally all was installed. Still my system
>> >> appeared to be fine. However last night when I came
>> back
>> >> to computer, which is normally black screen until I
>> touch
>> >> it with my mouse and then desktop appears immeditely
>> (as I
>> >> am on cable). Anyway, instead, my whole screen was a
>> back
>> >> and white of the "new" welcome screen I'd never seen
>> >> before. There were vertical lines though the entire
>> >> thing. As soon as it opened Windows, the desktop was
>> the
>> >> same as the welcome screen so I rebooted and when the
>> >> desktop came up, it looked the way I expected it to
>> except
>> >> that I got a notice that my COLOR SETTING and SCREEN
>> >> RESOLUTION were not at optimum and did I want
Windows to
>> >> fix it. Of course I said Yes. However, nothing was
>> >> done. I've just spent hours trying to find a way to
>> reset
>> >> my COLOR but there are NO OPTIONS. It is set on 4bit
>> and
>> >> that's it! I've tried System Restore and even
though 10
>> >> different patches were installed yesterday, when I
tried
>> >> to go back to Monday and Tuesday, it said there had
been
>> >> no changes. This is just not so. Please help me if
you
>> >> know of anything I can do short of reinstalling
Windows.
>> >> Thanks VERY MUCH!!!
>> >> Sheila Dickie
>> >
>> >.
>> >
>
>.
>

[Joe727]

Hi Sheila - glad to hear the info helped. Please note: I said never to
download *video and sound drivers* from Windows Update. You need to
download the other updates because they often patch serious holes in the
Operating System that could leave your PC vunerable to hackers.

Get the video and audio drivers from the manufacturer's website. As you
found out, they are the experts in those fields, not Microsoft.

Joe

"Sheila Dickie" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Joe!
> Somehow after my 4th reboot, after trying the "roll over
> to previous driver" button, it actually rolled it over.
> I'm not 100% sure but I think I'm now running the version
> you suggest here. Anyway, things appear to be back to
> normal now but I just realized I haven't rebooted since
> discovering that I could finally choose a different color
> setting. Anyway, I'll do it right now and will come right
> back and tell you if I'm not okay. THANKS A MILLION!!!
> I really appreciate your help and I'll take your good
> advice. No more Windows updates unless my system just
> brings them to me on the automatic update thing.
> Sheila
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >I saw that nVidia update on Windows Update which lists it
> as a critical
> >update. *Never* install video or sound drivers from
> Windows Update. In my
> >experience, they cause nothing but problems.
> >
> >Download and install the Version: 45.23 Release Date:
> August 13, 2003 WHQL
> >Certified drivers directly from nVidia.
> >
> >http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp
> >
> >Uninstall the drivers you got from Windows Update first.
> >
> >Joe
> >
> >
> >"Sheila Dickie" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Hi Joe!
> >> I don't know what happened to my other response so I'll
> try
> >> again. Yes nVidea is the driver I installed yesterday
> and
> >> i it has taken over. It shows as the Monitor for my
> >> system rather than it being my NEC one. I have no idea
> >> why or how this happened... I assume it's part of the
> >> install. Anyway, YES. Is there something I can do? I
> >> have already tried uninstalling it and computer says
> it's
> >> gone but it's still there. I've tried the "roll back to
> >> previous driver" ... nothing changed.
> >> Sheila Dickie
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> >-----Original Message-----
> >> >Did you download the nVidia "critical" update from
> >> Windows Update?
> >> >
> >> >Joe
> >> >
> >> >"Sheila Dickie" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> >> Hi There!
> >> >> I've been running XP Home for about 1-1/2 years with
> no
> >> >> problems. My automatic update seems to be working
> all
> >> the
> >> >> time as regularly there are updates ready to install.
> >> >> However, yesterday, I received a message that sent
> me to
> >> >> the Windows Download area. It scanned my system and
> >> told
> >> >> me that I was missing 1 critical 9 optional and 1
> driver
> >> >> that needed to be installed. So I went about doing
> >> that.
> >> >> The download time was EXTREMELY lengthy and took
> three
> >> >> tries. Finally all was installed. Still my system
> >> >> appeared to be fine. However last night when I came
> >> back
> >> >> to computer, which is normally black screen until I
> >> touch
> >> >> it with my mouse and then desktop appears immeditely
> >> (as I
> >> >> am on cable). Anyway, instead, my whole screen was a
> >> back
> >> >> and white of the "new" welcome screen I'd never seen
> >> >> before. There were vertical lines though the entire
> >> >> thing. As soon as it opened Windows, the desktop was
> >> the
> >> >> same as the welcome screen so I rebooted and when the
> >> >> desktop came up, it looked the way I expected it to
> >> except
> >> >> that I got a notice that my COLOR SETTING and SCREEN
> >> >> RESOLUTION were not at optimum and did I want
> Windows to
> >> >> fix it. Of course I said Yes. However, nothing was
> >> >> done. I've just spent hours trying to find a way to
> >> reset
> >> >> my COLOR but there are NO OPTIONS. It is set on 4bit
> >> and
> >> >> that's it! I've tried System Restore and even
> though 10
> >> >> different patches were installed yesterday, when I
> tried
> >> >> to go back to Monday and Tuesday, it said there had
> been
> >> >> no changes. This is just not so. Please help me if
> you
> >> >> know of anything I can do short of reinstalling
> Windows.
> >> >> Thanks VERY MUCH!!!
> >> >> Sheila Dickie
> >> >
> >> >.
> >> >
> >
> >.
> >

[Harry Ohrn]

You are welcome. I think that MS should place a better caveat on using the
"Recommended Updates" because some of them really cause serious problems for
people. The term "Recommended Updates" is a misnomer. "Supplementary
Updates" might be a better way to describe them. On the other hand Critical
Updates are important. The issues with the Blaster Worm are one such area
where pre-patching avoided problems with Blaster. The Update was out for a
month before Blaster reared it's head. Those patched where OK but many
people obviously choose not to auto update and were caught with their
defences down.
But then again there have been one or two Critical Updates, including
Service Pack 1, that posed problems which were nearly as bad as Blaster. You
might want to scan these groups regularly to see if people are having
trouble with specific patches

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell\User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


"Sheila Dickie" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Harry...
> Thanks for the good advice. I'll try updating the video
> drivers. Thanks!
> Sheila
> >-----Original Message-----
> >It sounds like your video drivers are corrupt. Reinstall
> them.
> >
> >BTW while it is prudent to install Critical Updates you
> should never install
> >the Recommended Updates or the Drive Updates unless you
> have a specific need
> >for them.
> >
> >--
> >
> >Harry Ohrn - MS MVP [Shell/User]
> >www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
> >
> >
> >"Sheila Dickie" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Hi There!
> >> I've been running XP Home for about 1-1/2 years with no
> >> problems. My automatic update seems to be working all
> the
> >> time as regularly there are updates ready to install.
> >> However, yesterday, I received a message that sent me to
> >> the Windows Download area. It scanned my system and
> told
> >> me that I was missing 1 critical 9 optional and 1 driver
> >> that needed to be installed. So I went about doing
> that.
> >> The download time was EXTREMELY lengthy and took three
> >> tries. Finally all was installed. Still my system
> >> appeared to be fine. However last night when I came
> back
> >> to computer, which is normally black screen until I
> touch
> >> it with my mouse and then desktop appears immeditely
> (as I
> >> am on cable). Anyway, instead, my whole screen was a
> back
> >> and white of the "new" welcome screen I'd never seen
> >> before. There were vertical lines though the entire
> >> thing. As soon as it opened Windows, the desktop was
> the
> >> same as the welcome screen so I rebooted and when the
> >> desktop came up, it looked the way I expected it to
> except
> >> that I got a notice that my COLOR SETTING and SCREEN
> >> RESOLUTION were not at optimum and did I want Windows to
> >> fix it. Of course I said Yes. However, nothing was
> >> done. I've just spent hours trying to find a way to
> reset
> >> my COLOR but there are NO OPTIONS. It is set on 4bit
> and
> >> that's it! I've tried System Restore and even though 10
> >> different patches were installed yesterday, when I tried
> >> to go back to Monday and Tuesday, it said there had been
> >> no changes. This is just not so. Please help me if you
> >> know of anything I can do short of reinstalling Windows.
> >> Thanks VERY MUCH!!!
> >> Sheila Dickie
> >
> >
> >.
> >