PC Troubleshooting...

chris vickery · #1 31-01-07, 16:30

Hi guys. Yes another computer query for those so inclined as I am no expert...

I was speaking with my mom today and she tells me her computer is giving her some grief. It seems that when she starts up, the Windows XP page comes up and is OK and then when it changes to the user login page everything is upside down.

She can login OK and the msn homepage and all systems seem to function normally aside from being displayed on the monitor upside down.

Now of course I suggested that she invert her monitor to correct the problem to which I was promptly told not to be a smartass..

Is this just a setting problem that can be rectified or has something else caused this? I was wondering if my young nephew perhaps was monkeying around and did something but of course wouldn't admit to doing anything.

Any suggestions??? Many thanks

servicepub (RIP) · #2 31-01-07, 16:34

Probably a function of the video card. Ask your mom to go into Control Panel - Settings - Display. There she should be able to 'turn' the screen in 90 degree increments.

chris vickery · #3 31-01-07, 16:42

Thanks Clive, will get her to give it a shot...

Once again I am amazed at the services that MLU provides it users! Must be a record, ask a question and in less than 5 minutes have an answer.

Alex Blair (RIP) · #4 31-01-07, 16:55

Quote:

Originally posted by chris vickery
Thanks Clive, will get her to give it a shot...

Once again I am amazed at the services that MLU provides it users! Must be a record, ask a question and in less than 5 minutes have an answer.

Chris...
What the hell does Clive know..??
After all he drives a TR-6....
Any one at the Hammond barn could have told you the problem..The upside down gear is gone in the transmission ...
LOL..

Bruce MacMillan · #5 31-01-07, 17:21

Most newer computers and video cards have a hot key sequence to rotate the video, something like CTRL - ALT - (arrow) (up or down arrow to invert, left or right to rotate).

The exact key sequence can be googled by make of video card or computer. ATI video cards for example would be different from Dell motherboard video.

This function can be disabled in the properties of the video device.

I've had a couple of support calls like this where people were trying to create key macros or shortcuts and end up inverting their video.

chris vickery · #6 31-01-07, 19:11

So Bruce, what you are saying then is that it is possible that her PC has a hotkey setup that may have been inadvertantly pressed causing this situation to occur?

If I were able to find the make model etc of pc and video card would you be able to tell me how to fix this? Unfortunately she is 8 hours from me and less of a PC expert than I so I will have to walk her through this step by step via telephone.

Pylon1357 · #7 31-01-07, 20:31

This topic gave me a chuckle as I remembered doing the same thing with our Toughnote here at work. We have a panasonic toughnote to use with an IDS system to interface with a vehicles PCMs etc....I accidently flipped the screen display upsidedown....Boss was madder than all get out with me. We ended up shipping the unit out to be repaired. Certainly is funny now but not at the time.

OH, my Dell laptop is ctrl alt arrow.

Bruce MacMillan · #8 01-02-07, 01:40

Hi Chris,

I would suggest trying this route before anything else as it's easy and non-invasive to the OS. Make and model of the PC and the video card/chipset would be needed.

As Clive had suggested once the video is corrected this function should be turned off in the control panel. My ATI card had the hotkeys enabled by default and if you're not careful you can do more that invert the video.

chris vickery · #9 02-02-07, 16:43

Thanks Bruce and Clive.
Mom's pc is running right-side-up now thanks to the suggestions you both offered.
At first she tried the crtl-alt-arrow and nothing. Then she went to control panel, tried it and viola! Right side up.
A happy camper.