Dell Optiplex 360 graphics trouble/disabled

[matos3170]

Okay, so I was messing with the graphics settings on my PC(Dell Optiplex 360 running Windows XP Pro.) and apparently set it way too low (640x480) and now the screen is blacked out. On the startup I can go to the settings using (F2) and the boot menu (F12), I also have tried the using the Windows Advanced Option Menu (F8) and tried safe mode, enable vga, last good known config and directory services restore mode. I've also removed the battery, waited a couple seconds, put it back in and still no luck. Is there anyway you guys could help me solve this problem?I don't have an extra monitor and I don't mind wiping the computer clean out and starting fresh, I just need this thing to work again. Thanks.

 

[Kisianik]

Could you go to the Safe Mode or not?
A few other questions.
Do you have onboard/integrated video (embedded chip) or discrete graphic card?
Do you have Dell Factory Image Restore? Using this option (if you have small partition, about 10 GB or less on your OS drive) will restore PC to OS configuration as shipped, use it as last resort, everything will be wiped out.
Follow http://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_optiplex_desktop/optiplex-360_setup%20guide_en-us.pdf page 46

I've also removed the battery, waited a couple seconds, put it back in and still no luck

When removing battery please follow this: turn off PC, disconnect from power, unplug, press and hold power button for at least 20-30 seconds, remove battery for at least 30 minutes, as soon as battery removed, repeat power button hold, after at least 30 minutes place battery back and put back PC - this is the correct procedure. After this go to BIOS (F2), next go to

Since you are communicating with us, do you have another PC or laptop, if PC, do you have space for another hard drive there, if not sure, please provide your secondary PC model.

If all attempts fail and you can not attach your fallen PC hard drive to anything, you might have to purchase a USB connector with SATA port (if you don't have Factory Restore) to wipe your hard drive externally, which cost around $20 plus shipping. But first try correct CMOS battery removal.

 

[matos3170]

Could you go to the Safe Mode or not?
A few other questions.
Do you have onboard/integrated video (embedded chip) or discrete graphic card?
Do you have Dell Factory Image Restore? Using this option (if you have small partition, about 10 GB or less on your OS drive) will restore PC to OS configuration as shipped, use it as last resort, everything will be wiped out.
Follow http://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_optiplex_desktop/optiplex-360_setup%20guide_en-us.pdf page 46

I've also removed the battery, waited a couple seconds, put it back in and still no luck

When removing battery please follow this: turn off PC, disconnect from power, unplug, press and hold power button for at least 20-30 seconds, remove battery for at least 30 minutes, as soon as battery removed, repeat power button hold, after at least 30 minutes place battery back and put back PC - this is the correct procedure. After this go to BIOS (F2), next go to

Since you are communicating with us, do you have another PC or laptop, if PC, do you have space for another hard drive there, if not sure, please provide your secondary PC model.

If all attempts fail and you can not attach your fallen PC hard drive to anything, you might have to purchase a USB connector with SATA port (if you don't have Factory Restore) to wipe your hard drive externally, which cost around $20 plus shipping. But first try correct CMOS battery removal.

I have tried Safe Mode, but it doesn't seem to do anything. I'm currently running the integrated graphics card. Not quite sure about the Dell Factory Image Restore and if I've ever done it, but I'll have to look into that for sure. The computer I'm using to communicate is a crappy $150 Acer C720 with Google Chrome OS (for school). Thank you very much for your help, if all goes well I will report back here in a few hours.

 

[Kisianik]

When you went to Safe Mode, have you tried to change resolution? If yes, how? Try again, when in safe mode, right click on the screen, go to properties, then Settings, don't change there, go to Advanced, then you suppose to see your video chip name, go to it and change your settings there.
If it doesn't work, go to Device Manager to Display Adapters and roll back driver if you can, if not - uninstall it, you will be able to get it back from Dell site.

Try this before wiping out hard drive.

 

[matos3170]

.

 

[matos3170]

When you went to Safe Mode, have you tried to change resolution? If yes, how? Try again, when in safe mode, right click on the screen, go to properties, then Settings, don't change there, go to Advanced, then you suppose to see your video chip name, go to it and change your settings there.
If it doesn't work, go to Device Manager to Display Adapters and roll back driver if you can, if not - uninstall it, you will be able to get it back from Dell site.

Try this before wiping out hard drive.

I tried Safe Mode and my computer just freezes and I have to turn it off.

 

[matos3170]

I just removed the battery following the correct procedure and the screen is still black. But, I found an extra monitor that looks old and is smaller, hopefully that will work.