Monitor black: Reloading your video drivers

Monitor black: Reloading your video drivers

Document number: 39014

If your monitor or display panel is either completely or mostly black, or shows odd patterns it may need repair or the video drivers reloaded. There are some preliminary steps to try before reloading the video drivers.

First try to correct the problem by resetting the machine. For information about resetting the machine, see Eureka! document 39013 — How to reset your computer.
If using the reset button does not work and the machine is a Toshiba in the 8000 series (e.g. 8100, 8200, etc) check the "panel close" button which is at the top of the keyboard near the hinge (almost under the hinge). It is supposed to be a small point sticking up when the panel top is open, but it can get jammed down inside. Turn off the machine and rub your finger over the hole or tap your finger next to it sharply to try to release it. If the panel close button is stuck in the down position the machine will need to be repaired. To make an appointment for service open a NorthStar Ticket. Be sure to leave a contact number and describe the problem. You will be contacted by the appropriate party.For more information on creating the NorthStar ticket, see Eureka! document 39068 — How to submit a computer or peripheral for repair.
You can restart your machine in VGA mode to restore enough screen function to reload the video drivers or restore the original screen settings. For more information, see Eureka! document 69022 — How to boot into VGA mode.
Reloading the video drivers. If restarting in VGA mode restores enough screen function that you can navigate try reloading your video drivers. Click on the operating system you are running and follow the steps.

Reloading video drivers on your Windows 2000 machine.

Also review Eureka! document 39018 — Troubleshooting monitor problems.
If you cannot restore enough video function to see to navigate then open a NorthStar ticket to make an appointment for service. Be sure to include your contact number. Describe the problem in detail, especially the steps you took to try to correct the problem. You will be contacted by the appropriate party. For more information on creating the NorthStar ticket, see Eureka! document 39068 — How to submit a computer or peripheral for repair.

Reloading video drivers on your Windows 2000 machine.

At this time there are no packages for reloading video drivers on Windows 2000 machines instead delete the device then allow plug and play to reload the drivers.

Click on the Start button, then S ettings, then Control Panel.
Select Administrative Tools
Select Computer Management
Select Device Manager
Select Monitors
Highlight the Generic Television (or whichever display is giving you the problem). Press the { Delete} key.
Confirm that you want to delete.
Shutdown and power off. Note: If you just "restart" you may be wasting your time, make sure to shut down.
If the problem is an external monitor be sure that it is correctly attached and all connections are firmly seated.
If the problem remains submit the machine for repair.

Try the troubleshooting steps in Eureka! document 39018 — Troubleshooting monitor problems. If the above steps did not correct the problem open a NorthStar ticket to make an appointment for service. Be sure to include your contact number. Describe the problem in detail, especially the steps you took to try to correct the problem. You will be contacted by the appropriate party. For more information on creating the NorthStar ticket, see Eureka! document 39068 — How to submit a computer or peripheral for repair.

Click here to go back to the beginning of this document.