[maddog221]

Ok, so i was updating drivers because my desktop was messed up and the icons were not showing up as pictures like they were supposed to, and one of the last ones i tried to update was the nforce networking controller. I restarted my comp then downloaded the new driver and tried to install it, it said that i needed to uninstall the other one so it would work properly, fine whatever i clicked continue. Then it asks me to restart my computer before i can install it. I restarted my computer and after the windows loading thing (i'm on windows xp) the screen goes black like it normally does, but it does not come out of this at all. I have tried starting it in safe mode to set the computer back to an older date, but when i do i cannot use the mouse or keyboard. If you could help at all that would be great!

[Elvandil]

Drivers for icon problems? I don't get it.

What other drivers did you change, update, or uninstall?

[TechConsultant]

hmmm.
what operating system?
hopefully xp pro with remote desktop turned on?

you might, just might be able to reinstall it....blind.
with another PC next to you. Do you have a login, or does it normally come right up to the desktop.

This is the only thing that i can think of, and sorry to say you MIGHT just be hosed with a fresh install.

[maddog221]

I have windows xp (pro i'm pretty sure)
and the only things that i changed were some video card drivers and wireless card drivers other than the one i already stated. I restarted it right before i changed this one and it messed up though. I usually have a log in screen pop up that doesnt have a password on it. I may just have to reformat it... which is REALLY annoying and i would most likely lose some important stuff, and by icons not loading i mean on the main screen insted of my computer and my doc. and stuff it would show that piece of paper with a window in it (the thing that is shown when there is not a icon for that type of file)
Thanks for any help you guys can give again!

I still hope i dont have to reformat it...
I know that i could set it back to a earlier date if i could just get it to work in safe mode!!

[Elvandil]

You can try a repair before you have to reformat. And your files can be recovered, too. So don't do anything drastic.

If you have the XP CD to reinstall it, then you can do a repair installation and you won't lose anything.

Repair Installation Instructions
or
How To Run A Repair Install
(How to Repair Windows XP by Installing Over top of Existing Setup)

All you do is boot from the CD. When it asks if you want to repair and to press "R", don't. Continue with the installation just like you were installing for the first time.

You will then get a license agreement and it will ask you to press F8 to agree. Right after that screen, you will see a list of Windows installations that setup found. It will ask if you want to repair it. Read the directions on that page!!!

Then, you will actually press "R" this time and XP will re-install.

When done, you will be back to your familiar desktop with everything looking just like it did before. But all your Windows Updates are gone and you will need to get those again.

If you have any problems booting from CD, set the CD to boot earlier than the hard drive in BIOS setup, or come back for more help. If you don't get the "Repair" option to press the second "R", then your registry is too damaged for a repair and you need to restore an earlier copy of the registry.

[Rich-M]

That's not a network driver did that but you mentioned video drivers and that happens all the time. After you press the power button start tapping f8 until you see a bunch of options such as safe mode only choose "enable vga driver" and then you should be able to boot with a Windows video driver and then install the correct video driver that came with your video card.

[Elvandil]

Originally Posted by Rich-M

That's not a network driver did that but you mentioned video drivers and that happens all the time. After you press the power button start tapping f8 until you see a bunch of options such as safe mode only choose "enable vga driver" and then you should be able to boot with a Windows video driver and then install the correct video driver that came with your video card.

That was my suspicion, too, that maybe there wasn't a reboot after changing vid drivers. But it seems to be involved there, somehow.

[maddog221]

Darn, i thought you guys had it with starting it in with enable vga... but it does the same thing as safe mode, it gets my hopes up by going to the start screen to put in my password, but i cannot move my mouse, and my keyboard doesnt respond, so i cannot do anything I found the XP pro cd and i'm going to try and fix it that way now, once again thanks for all the help you guys have given me

[Elvandil]

A repair installation, if it succeeds, will fix a lot of system problems. But because it also tries to save all your settings and files, it sometimes saves the problem you are having as well.

But it won't hurt to try. If it works, you will have all your files and programs, but all the Windows Updates will be gone.

[maddog221]

darn the repair didnt work