Can't open Display on Control Panel

Windows XP on my Compaq laptop crashed. I reinstalled it from the disk that came with the laptop, also the software drivers from the Recovery DVD disc, including the ATI console, but I still can't open "Display" on the Control Panel. I am getting a brief hourglass and that's it. Any suggestions?

 

What happens if you right-click a blank area on the desktop and choose properties?

 

can't open Display

Nothing happens. My computer screen just shows an ugly golden Compaq boxes screen with the application icons. I went into Safe Mode, trying to open Display from there but no success. When I right-clicked on "Display" on a support page I got this message: Unknown protocol. Javascript: Do Nothing

 

Appears that something is wrong (missing?) from your recovery disk. Did the recovery seem to go normally? Have you contacted the manufacturer? Is the machine still under warranty? If in doubt, i'd try repeating the recovery before trying to fix windows.

 

I reinstalled the software from the recovery disc with the same results. The laptop is more than 2 years old and no, I have not yet contacted Compaq - not sure whether that's worth the effort. I'll probably just have to learn to live with the ugly interface, as long as nothing else goes wrong...

 

It's your call, but I'd contact them and explain the situation. Giving you a bad recovery disk is not very good advertisling for them, and replacing it would be good advertising. Lots of folks read these forums.

 

If you think it is just a matter of getting a replacement disk I might give them a call. I am dreading the thought though of spending hours waiting on hold until I get to talk to someone.

 

Don't believe you have anything to loose but your time. I think you're entitled to a new disk.

 

Have you checked for driver updates for your model at Compaq/HP www.hp.com/support ?

If you installed the ATI software, there might be an icon in the system tray for the console (and also an ATI icon in Windows Control Panel). You should be able to make all the display adjustments through the ATI software (the ATI software will "take control" over Windows Display).

Matt

 

Thanks for everybody's advice. I spent about an hour and a half in a chat session with a Compaq technician, went through all kinds of maneuvers, including reinstalling the ATI software, also ran sfc /scannow from C:\I386 ... nothing happened. Today I searched Google once more for 'missing display' and ran across this site:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/38/1/
Downloaded the script as described in that article and ran it from my desktop: instant success .. everything is back to normal! I can't believe it, but the problem is fixed.

 

Thanks ever so much for posting the solution. Now it's available for others to find on a search.

Wonder what caused the problem. Watch for any malware. Maybe do an online anrivirus scan?