Video / Display

[#1]

Machine was running fine in Feb.. 2009. Powered up in Sept. 2009, Display was at 800 x 600 and missing the XP task bar. Running XP in SAFE mode, task bar is present, but still at 800 x 600. Is there a bios setting that could be messed up since it sat so long unused?? If so, how do I access the bios?? I would do a full  recovery, but can not find my recovery disks.

Please help!

[#2]

Sounds like a driver issue or a display configuration problem.  Try installing the latest display driver to see if that helps.

[#3]

When it was first powered up in September, it went into some "set-up" screen that had display options. Could something be wrong there? and how can I  get back to that set-up screen?

[#4]

That sounds like it could be the culprit.  Right click on the desktop.  Select Properties, then click on the Settings Tab.  See if you can adjust it there.  If not you might need to go into the Advanced Button on the Settings Tab. 

[#5]

Satellite 1805-S204 

Are you still missing the taskbar when booting normally after reinstalling the video driver?

   Windows XP Display Driver for Trident Ai1 Display Adapters

[#6]

Installed the new driver. Did not help. 

I can change the screen resolution, but upon restart, it is back to 800X600. I also have noticed that "explorer" is not running  in the task manager menu when the task  bar is missing. Again, all appears normal when running in "safe mode". Screen resolution is  normal as well.

[#7]

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..noticed that "explorer" is not running  in the task manager menu when the task  bar is missing.

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That's to be expected explorer.exe supplies the desktop If you start it from Task Manager, the Start menu and taskbar will re-appear. (Once the desktop is running, it starts Windows Explorer.)

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all appears normal when running in "safe mode". Screen resolution is  normal as well.

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So something loading automatically makes the trouble.

What happens when you boot normally into another account? Create one if necessary.