Ive changed a registry sourcepath, now my display driver can only display 4 bit!!!

[Junglebenny]

Windows XP Media Centre Edition SP 3

Packard Bell Media PC

Pentium® 4 CPU 3.06 GHz

2GB DDR 2 667 MHz RAM

80 GB seagate HD

ATI Radeon X200 chipset

Creative Audigy 2 pro

 

Hi, Ok bit of a longwinded problem here goes...

 

The original task I was trying to perform was to fix system DLL files using SFC /scannow.

During this process, I was asked to insert Windows XP (My OS btw) -CD2. I already had an Installation disk in the CD drive.

So I googled it. I came up with this website and advice.

My search for fixes

I followed the advice to the letter. I copied the I386 folder from disk to my root folder (C:). Then, I went into Regedit, path = HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\

CurrentVersion\Setup.

I modified the sourcepath here from C:\Windows (I really hope it was this, i told myself to remember the original path, but my mind is playing tricks on me a little, sorry)

and changed it to C:\ and rebooted.

When the GUI had loaded, the resolution was a mess as was the color bit. So I tried to reverse the situation in Regedit and reboot. Still the same.

OK, I thought, I shall reboot in VGA mode (never done this before, thought i'd give it a shot) still the same.

OK, i'll just update the video driver right? When you go to the Display app and try to change the resolution etc, you get this message.

 

'The currently selected graphics display driver can not be used. It was written for a previous version od windows, and it is no longer compatible with this version of windows.

The system has been started using the default VGA driver.

Please contact your hardware manufacturer to get an upgraded driver, or select one of ther microsoft provided drivers.'

 

 

So, OK. Ill update the video driver. I have a lowly little onboard ATI radeon X200 for this PC. I go to the ATI website and download the driver.

Upon install, I get this message - 'Setup was unable to complete the installation. Try to setup your display adapter with a standard VGA driver before running setup'

 

Next, I goto System restore. Now, i thought system restore was setup correctly on this PC. However, it does not give any restore points to me whatsoever. SR is something I have not used for a couple of years on this PC, but I was surprised. Perhaps this is a symptom of changing the registry key?

 

I have also tried a boot to the last known configuration. No dice. Whilst typing this I have thought of the idea of googling for a standard VGA driver and downloading & Installing. I will keep the post updated if this provides a fix.

 

I really dont want to have to do something like a clean install or factory restore. Is there some way I can fix this? And more importantly what can you teach me?

 

Also, when I can get my display driver back online, I think I shall post about the original problem of fixing DLL files

[Synapse]

Do you have your Windows CD?

 

You may have to do a repair install.

[Junglebenny]

Hi, yes I have a windows CD. I have tried to do a repair install, unfortunately, when I get to the windows setup and highlight my existing installation/partition, it does not give me the option of a repair install. However, I dont have the exact disk for my installation. I have Media centre XP, the disk is Home XP. The thing is that Media Centre as a disk is so expensive, I might have to rip it off the net, which is risky i know.

[Dalo Harkin]

While that's not legal, I hope that your key is genuine..........

 

If you have a dodgy copy of windows then you will have major problems

[Junglebenny]

Thanks all for your help - Ive fixed the problem by uninstalling the ATI driver, the standard VGA activated. I know this is obvious but I overthought the problem. I wont have to download that OS disk after all!

[Dalo Harkin]

Glad you got it sorted :)