Properties dialog box, size streched???

Working on a friends computer problem I found that the
Properties dialog box was streched larger than the screen with no way to change settings.
The two problems I found were
1. In Properties dialog box , settings tab, the color setting was changed to incorrect setting.
2.In Network, Configuration tab, Primary network logon was incorrect.
Due to the 2 problems, colors on the desktop had changed to grey and white and a network logon screen appeared.

I changed the network setting to windows logon setting and changed the color setting to correct setting.
Due to Properties dialog box being streched larger that screen size, I could not save changes. Could not click Apply or OK.

I restarted computer 3 times....With No Luck.

I then stated computer in Safe Mode.
In Safe Mode you have limited color and basics , so I could not make the change here either.

I then restarted the computer again. At this point Properties dialog box changed back to oringal size and then I made the changes and now eveything is fine on friends computer.

My question is why after all of that did Properties dialog box change size and why did Nework logon change from original setting.

And why did it change back after 4 or 5 restarts and Safe Mode starts.

Yes I checked for Virus etc.

I don't want to seem foolish, but I can't not figure that one out.

Giffyo

 

One other thing I could add is, Friends computer has AOL and the color did effect aol and operation.
Dont know if this is important to this situation. Just thought I would add this info in.
Giffyo

 

It's hard to say what kind of glitch you ran into. If it ever happens again though, you can get at the apply button by first setting the resolution to the setting you want and then use the tab key to cycle through the various buttons. On mine, I have to press the tab key 7 times but I have an extra button that's related to dual monitors. I think normally there will be six. Try it on yours and you'll see what I'm talking about. Set the res, and then press the tab key and you'll see the color quality take the focus. Press it again and one of the buttons will take the focus. You keep doing this until the focus is on the apply button and then press the enter key.

Edit:
I should add that if you don't know how many buttons you have to cycle through, you can right click on the title bar and select move. You can then use the up arrow to move the window up and count the number of buttons there are.

 

I'd guess the screen resolution got changed because for some reason Windows couldn't load the video drivers. Starting in Safe Mode then restarting in normal mode will often fix strange little glitches like you encountered.

For future reference, the OK button is the active button by default in Display Properties. To change the resolution when you can't see the buttons on the bottom, just press the enter key after making the change. If that doesn't work, close the display properties window to reset everything, go back, change the resolution and press the tab key exactly four times. That will activate the OK button so you can press the enter key to apply the change.

 

Thankyou Zander And Miz,
You both hit the nail on the head. Method works perfectly.
I have added this method to my notes.
I was never aware of that method. I worked for an ISP several years ago and in my everyday situations have never heard of that. Thankyou very much.
Is there a book or website that has this and other methods that may be usefull?

Giffyo

 

Thankyou Zander And Miz,
You both hit the nail on the head. Method works perfectly.
I have added this method to my notes.
I was never aware of that method. I worked for an ISP several years ago and in my everyday situations have never heard of that. Thankyou very much.
Is there a book or website that has this and other methods that may be usefull?

Giffyo

 

Here's one for you.Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows\
There's a lot of web pages out there that can help you out in this respect. Do a search at google using the following query.

+windows +shortcut +keys

You'll get all kinds of info. Here's a link to the first one on the list.
http://www.computerhope.com/shortcut.htm

Check it out. Anything you can do with a mouse you can do with the keyboard too.