I have used my 2 monitors for years. It was fine last night. When I switched on this morning the second monitor is the wrong resolution. Trying to change resolution the controls are greyed out. I tried 3 different system restores including in safe mode but it hangs on updating the registry.
I suppose I have 2 problems there need rectifying.
Winver is 21H1
Hi, your PC seems to be from around 2011. I don't know how old or what sort of disks you have - assuming you're referring to the one in your specs.
Should your title refer to the second monitor rather than a laptop?
If you have some sort of registry corruption as you suggest (screenshot of error message might be useful) it is possible your installation is not retrievable.
I would first perform basic checks on your system disk and file system:
a. Hard Disk Sentinel (trial, portable version available - excellent). Green is good.
b. If ok, run
chkdsk c: /scan
from an admin command prompt.
Advise if that passes- don't post the lot.
If your disk is ok that leaves you at least these possible options:
a. Restore a previously created disk image. You have probably seen disk imaging endlessly recommended here.
b. Clean install Windows
I didn't know I had posted the spec? Its a HP Omen 880. I have 64Gb RAM a 1Tb SSD and a 2Tb HD
My main screen is an AOC and that's detected by windows the 2nd is a Dell U2412M and suddenly windows has changed this to generic pnp. It was fine when shut down last night.
HDS showed all good.
CHKDSK is good
I really hope it doesn't come to a reinstall I have 100+ programs installed, it would be days of work.
If by a previously created disk image you mean like one you would do with Macrium reflect if updating HD then no I haven't one. I have never seen it suggested that you should regularly make one for back up.
I've posted that hundreds of times- others too- just try searching the site for Macrium, for example.I have never seen it suggested that you should regularly make one for back up.
Unfortunate you've not come across that..
So were down to a reinstall?
Again, could you post a screenshot of the error message?
- and update your PC spec in your profile of course
Showing generic screen rather than Dell U2412M .
- was there an error message? That's what I was referring to... Trying to change resolution the controls are greyed out. I tried 3 different system restores including in safe mode but it hangs on updating the registry.
Problem is, SR is great when it works, but restoring doesn't always. But normally it fails with an error message after restarting and logging in.
It's possible your monitor issue and the SR failure are unrelated, of course.
As for your monitor being seen as generic, please feel free to search e.g. tenforums for thread examples such as
Can't raise refresh rate monitor is seen as generic
Windows Thinks My Monitor Is Generic, Won't Let Me Change Resolution
I searched using text
monitor now generic
There could be other causes, of course.
Last edited by dalchina; 21 Oct 2021 at 11:49.
I reset windows. Before I reset windows I managed to install the driver for the Dell monitor. It showed correctly in Device Manager, but still didn't show the correct resolution. Trying to set the resolution at this point wasn't possible as the menus were greyed out. After reinstalling windows the second monitor is still no using the correct resolution - huge icons.
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