New Monitor - Blank Screen in Window Mode

[SaturnC]

I just got a new monitor Monday the LG W2343T-PF. I used to play Dragon Age in window mode all the time with no problem on my old monitor. Now when I try to change the settings to window mode, the screen just goes black/blank and I can't do anything until the 15 seconds are up. Does anyone have any idea how to fix this? I have a Radeon 4890 video card and I use Windows XP. Like I said though, I could go into window mode just fine wtih the old monitor, so it's not the settings or my card, it seems like it's something with the new monitor.

[danscott84]

It might actually be the settings on the card. Depending on which Windows version you have, the plug-in-play settings may not have transferred to the graphics card. IE, the card is still displaying at the old settings even though Windows says the new monitor is working fine. If you have Vista, it is notorious for just such a problem.

[SaturnC]

It might actually be the settings on the card. Depending on which Windows version you have, the plug-in-play settings may not have transferred to the graphics card. IE, the card is still displaying at the old settings even though Windows says the new monitor is working fine. If you have Vista, it is notorious for just such a problem.

No, I have XP. I actually changed the settings for Mass Effect so the settings on the card have been 2 different ways now, and neither one worked--the original settings which were maxed and the new Mass Effect settings. :(

[danscott84]

It might actually be the settings on the card. Depending on which Windows version you have, the plug-in-play settings may not have transferred to the graphics card. IE, the card is still displaying at the old settings even though Windows says the new monitor is working fine. If you have Vista, it is notorious for just such a problem.

No, I have XP. I actually changed the settings for Mass Effect so the settings on the card have been 2 different ways now, and neither one worked--the original settings which were maxed and the new Mass Effect settings. :(

 

Ok, did the monitor have any software with it, or just plug-n-play? My Dell monitor has it's own settings program on the computer seperate from the graphics card. I had it with the old computer using XP and the new one using W7. The XP computer had a settings for the card, then again in a Dell program for the monitor. (Neither computers were Dell, btw, I built both myself with the help of an IT friend)

 

EDIT: I am trying to think back with what I had to do on that old computer when it did a similar thing with KOTOR. If I remember correctly, I had to update the monitor driver for Windows, but I could also be grabbing at straws. It's been a few years ago this happened to me. :confused:

[DarkeWolf]

Saturn are you using a standard old 25 pin monitor cable, or are you connected via hdmi cable?

have you tested the system using the old monitor again?

are you running within the applicable range of resolution that the monitor can support?

What is your refresh rate setting? If it's higher than 60, set it down to 60. (Sorry if that bugs your eyes, but modern lcd screens dont always work right above 60)

Update your drivers.

[SaturnC]

Ok, did the monitor have any software with it, or just plug-n-play?

 

It's funny you should mention this. It came with a disc, but the disc did not allow the driver to load. I followed the directions on the pdf manual and I kept getting an error that the file could not be found (I even tried the manual option through the wizard to no avial), yet when I looked on the disc, there were 3 drivers all with the same name, I didn't know what to do about that so I looked online for the driver under the model name and anything I found did not work. It did not install, I even went to windows update, it HAD a driver update but it said 0 bytes but it said it installed. I don't think it did. It shows up as plug n play in the device mangager, that's what it's called. Mass Effect goes into window mode no problem. Dragon Age USED to go into window mode but still is a black screen when I try it now.

 

My Dell monitor has it's own settings program on the computer seperate from the graphics card. I had it with the old computer using XP and the new one using W7. The XP computer had a settings for the card, then again in a Dell program for the monitor. (Neither computers were Dell, btw, I built both myself with the help of an IT friend)

 

The documentation for this monitor seems to be limited. There are no presets with it either. I did finally get it adjusted to how I like it but there are a minimun amount of choices.

 

EDIT: I am trying to think back with what I had to do on that old computer when it did a similar thing with KOTOR. If I remember correctly, I had to update the monitor driver for Windows, but I could also be grabbing at straws. It's been a few years ago this happened to me. :confused:

 

Again, Windows Update said the driver was installed but it also showed as 0 bytes.

 

Saturn are you using a standard old 25 pin monitor cable, or are you connected via hdmi cable?

 

That's something I found out about this monitor (it was a gift) that is shows it has a hdmi outlet but in reality it does not. I used the cables that came with the monitor. Also, I thought it would have been digital being brand new but it is showing up as analog which I find weird and don't know if I can reset it to digital or do they still make brand new monitors in analog?

 

have you tested the system using the old monitor again?

 

No, the other monitor has been put out in the garage, it was over 6 years old and a huge dinosaur of a 19 inch, I had to have help moving it to the garage, so it's packed away now.

 

are you running within the applicable range of resolution that the monitor can support?

 

In the pdf manual, it said 1920 x 1080 and that's what I have it set on. But for Dragon Age, I tried window mode on ALL the resolution settings (from inside the game and from the configuration page), nothing worked.

 

What is your refresh rate setting? If it's higher than 60, set it down to 60. (Sorry if that bugs your eyes, but modern lcd screens dont always work right above 60)

 

My refresh rate is 60, same as the old monitor.

 

Update your drivers.

 

I did, I updated the video card drivers and like I said, went to windows update but the install said 0 bytes even though it was specifically for my monitor model. I also tried window mode again after the updates (from ATI and windows update) and it still does not work. It works fine in full screen, it's gorgeous but it just won't go in window. I need window mode cause I play while I work (don't ask) and I have to be able to access my desktop, so I HAVE to have window mode. God, I hate to uninstall/reinstall the game? I don't see how that would help unless getting it to read the hardware correctly? Now, something I noticed did happen tonight. As I said, I am now playing Mass Effect as my main game and I had been playing that on Steam. I purchased the disc of it and installed that today. There is a system information file that is in both games. I was going to use the original folder from my Mass Effect game but noticed it was bonkers, and it showed Dragon Age on that page, (I had it in the dvd drive earlier) but the new Mass Effect disc was now in the drive. Are there some files I need to change? Anything on that end to take a look at? I was surprised the original system information from the new install was so different from the old game. Also, the .ini file was different too, which again makes me wonder if there are some settings I might need to change in the My Documents\Settings folder?

 

And both of you guys, thank you so much for taking the time to help me! I have the exact same post on a few different boards and you two have been the only ones to reply, I really appreciate this! http://ladymoiraine.com/forum/Smileys/default/hug.gif http://ladymoiraine.com/forum/Smileys/default/kisssmiley.gif

 

You know, I just had a thought. Is there anyway to unplug the monitor, restart the comptuer with the disc in the drive and see if it will find the driver? Or is there a way I can uninstall through the device manager, reboot then on the restart see if it finds the driver? I don't know how to save what I already have (through the device manager) and I know I used to do this back with windows 98 but I haven't had to do this procedure with XP. Any thoughts on this idea path?

[DarkeWolf]

You know, I just had a thought. Is there anyway to unplug the monitor, restart the comptuer with the disc in the drive and see if it will find the driver? Or is there a way I can uninstall through the device manager, reboot then on the restart see if it finds the driver? I don't know how to save what I already have (through the device manager) and I know I used to do this back with windows 98 but I haven't had to do this procedure with XP. Any thoughts on this idea path?

 

 

Its showing as analog only? I think I may know what the problem is. Do you have TWO monitor plugs on the back of your computer? If so, plug the cable into the OTHER jack. Many modern vid cards have two jacks back there, so as to be able to run dual monitors. Now, this feature works great, WHEN you're running two mons. However, if you're NOT, and only running ONE monitor, you need to make sure that it's plugged into the PRIMARY video out. Otherwise you won't get full functionality/capability from your monitor.

 

Also, when you right click on an empty section of your desktop, and you go into the settings menu, does it show the new monitor, the old monitor or just generics? (this after you check those jacks in the back)

 

Ok, the part where you're talking about saving the drivers that you already have. Thats called Driver Roll Back. And in Xp it's actually very easy.

Start Device Manager.

Double-click the device for which you want to restore the driver.

Click the Driver tab, and then click the Roll Back Driver button.

 

I also recommend doing a system restore point before doing this. http://www.5starsupport.com/faq/xp-system-restore.htm#1-3

 

The reason I recommend this, is because rollback doesnt always survive multiple reboots or system shutdowns. A valid restore point however, is saved on your hard drive.

Takes longer, but its actually a more reliable feature. Tho if necessary, I'd try the rollback first, and use the restore point as a backup plan.

 

 

 

Hrm. I was just looking at the pdf manual for this mon. It says that its built with a DVI jack, but that it's not available in all countries. :blink: How LAME, LG!! :mad:

 

Well hey, ya know, we gotta try to take care of our own around here :wink: Besides its a really, really refreshing break from all the "my armor/weapons won't load" threads :biggrin:

[SaturnC]

Its showing as analog only? I think I may know what the problem is. Do you have TWO monitor plugs on the back of your computer? If so, plug the cable into the OTHER jack. Many modern vid cards have two jacks back there, so as to be able to run dual monitors. Now, this feature works great, WHEN you're running two mons. However, if you're NOT, and only running ONE monitor, you need to make sure that it's plugged into the PRIMARY video out. Otherwise you won't get full functionality/capability from your monitor.

 

Ok, I do believe you hit the nail on the head here, DarkeWolf! I remember when I had my computer upgraded last year I asked them about the 2 blue slots to my video card and I NOW remember them saying one was for analog and the other for a digital monitor, I laughed and said digital would not be a problem because I had such an old monitor. Too bad I didn't remember the conversation in it's entirety last night but I do know we had discussed digital vs analog which is why I mentioned it. I called them today and my video card does indeed support a digital monitor and my monitor does indeed have a digital slot in the back. Sadly, the company didn't ship the digital cable, had they done that, I would have tried THAT cable in the correct slot and would have (hopefully) been enjoying Dragon Age at work today in window mode! I won't know until tomorrow. I guess the cable is around $18 and I only have $6 so I'll pop into the computer store tomorrow morning and hook it up soon as I get home. I would bet money that this is indeed the problem. And I ONLY bet if I know I'm going to win. We'll know tomorrow, I'll let you know how it goes! ;) Thanks again! I went to give you a kudo last night but it seems I already have done that so here's another hug! http://ladymoiraine.com/forum/Smileys/default/6_G.gif

 

Also, when you right click on an empty section of your desktop, and you go into the settings menu, does it show the new monitor, the old monitor or just generics? (this after you check those jacks in the back)

 

It does show the new monitor by the correct name. Only in the device manager did it show as a plug n play.

 

Ok, the part where you're talking about saving the drivers that you already have. Thats called Driver Roll Back. And in Xp it's actually very easy.

Start Device Manager.

Double-click the device for which you want to restore the driver.

Click the Driver tab, and then click the Roll Back Driver button.

 

I also recommend doing a system restore point before doing this. http://www.5starsupport.com/faq/xp-system-restore.htm#1-3

 

The reason I recommend this, is because rollback doesnt always survive multiple reboots or system shutdowns. A valid restore point however, is saved on your hard drive.

Takes longer, but its actually a more reliable feature. Tho if necessary, I'd try the rollback first, and use the restore point as a backup plan.

 

Ok, I'll keep this information for future use, I have always wondered how to do this. Thank you for taking the time to explain!

 

Hrm. I was just looking at the pdf manual for this mon. It says that its built with a DVI jack, but that it's not available in all countries. :blink: How LAME, LG!! :mad:

 

LOL!!! I have the jack, just not the cable, will have that tomorrow!

 

Well hey, ya know, we gotta try to take care of our own around here :wink:

 

In all honesty I was praying you'd find my post, I figured if anyone would be able to help me, it would be you. :yes:

 

Besides its a really, really refreshing break from all the "my armor/weapons won't load" threads :biggrin:

 

Oh god how true!!! http://ladymoiraine.com/forum/Smileys/default/pml.gif I'll let you know how the cable worked tomorrow around lunchtime. (EST) And now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go play Mass Effect and Kiss Kaidan! ;D

[DarkeWolf]

Hopefully, we're on the right track here! :woot:

Ok, you will need to take a look at the back of the computer, down there where the cable runs from the vid card, to the monitor. Even with the older seriel type cables, there should be two plugs for it to go into. Even for digital, That will STILL WORK to display. However.... the pic and quality of the screen could range from decent, good, to mediocre, not so good. Sorry thats not be best description, but it kinda all just depends on the monitor.

When I got mine, it was "ok" tho text was kinda blurry around the edges. Then after getting the digital cable and hooking it up thru my hd slot, it's nice! (text is still a bit off but that might be my eyes hitting middle-age.......)

Eh... I digress. Anyway! If you want to go ahead and at least try it out, you SHOULD be able to still connect it to the other slot, even without the upgraded cable.

Just be real careful not to bend any of those pins when connecting.... or else yeah... you'll need that new cable. :eek:

 

Here's the irony. This woulda completely slipped my mind, IF it wasnt for the fact that there was 3 questions about those dual jacks on my A+ (computer hardware) practice exams, and it seemed like I got at least one of them each time I took the test.

 

Hahaha well... dont thank me yet. We're still troubleshooting. Until you actually test it, we're still just keeping our fingers crosses. :wink:

 

GOOD LUCK!! :thumbsup:

[bben46]

That blue text is very hard to read, I skipped a lot of it.

Try erasing your Oblivion.ini - the one in the folder that has the save games not the main game folder.

 

That is where Oblivion stores information on hardware. It does not automatically change when you change anything. The game will create a new Oblivion.ini the next time you start and try to identify your monitor resolution. It may be a good idea to make a copy of the original Oblivion.ini file for back up also.