Winamp screwed up my Control Panel!!!

[Lars]

After installing Winamp 2.72 last night, I am no longer able to change my display settings in control panel. I'm stuck at 800 x 600 16 bit. This is the error messsage I receive when trying to change my display resolution:

"The display control panel is unable to change the display settings. Please check your display hardware in device manager."

This happened imediately after installing winamp. What the f@!#@k!!
Anyone have this similar issue? Advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[DJ Egg]

No, this is definitely a first case scenario.
I've never heard of anyone with this particular problem b4.
I can't see how the installation of Winamp could've caused this?

Does the problem still persist after a reboot?

If so, the best things to do would be to reinstall your videocard drivers and then to reinstall DirectX (preferably v7.0a)

Did you check out :
System Control Panel -> Device Manager -> Display Adapters -> (Your Adapter) -> Properties
Is "exists in all hardware profiles" checkmarked?
Does it say "this device is working properly"?
Are any conflicts listed? (Resources tab)

Also check out the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (C:\Windows\System\DXDIAG.EXE)

[Lars]

DJEgg, I looked at everything that you mentioned and all checked out ok. I forgot to mention that I also downloaded a few skins ang plun-ins. Would that maybe cause the problem? I already tried re-installing my video card drivers and am still having the problem. Rebooted several times also. I have an Nvidia TNT2 with nvidia detinator3 6.50 drivers. This is weird.

[DJ Egg]

Very weird indeed!
No problems found with "DXDiag -> Display tab" then? (Notes section at bottom)
Are all "features" enabled?
Do the DirectDraw & Direct3D tests work ok?
Any problems listed under any of the other tabs?

Also, please post a list of all the extra plug-ins you installed.
Yes, there is a chance that one of these could have caused the problem.
Bear in mind that 3rd party plugins aren't made by Nullsoft.
There really ought to be a warning on the plugins section stating that you install any non Nullsoft 3rd party plugins at your own risk!
However, I find it hard to believe that a plugin can cause such a problem, especially if Winamp isn't even open at the time.
But, you never know with some dodgy plugins. Perhaps one of the plugins you installed has changed a relevant Registry setting? In which case it should be classed as pure evil and we should deter people from downloading it . . . or better still, it should be removed from the site altogether!

Anyway, answer the above questions & post the plugins list & we'll try help you some more.
You might as well post your full sys specs whilst you're at it.
I'm sure we can get to the bottom of this one!

Another thing you can try is:
Go back to System -> Device Manager -> Display Adapter -> Properties
Driver tab -> Click "Update Driver"
Change the radio button to "No, select from list" -> Next -> Okay
You will need your Windows CD-ROM to be in the drive.
This should reinstall the default Display driver/s, including the relevant Reg settings.

[Lars]

Here are the answers to your Q's:

Problems found with "DXDiag -> Display tab" then?...no problems found


Are all "features" enabled?....yes, all enabled

Do the DirectDraw & Direct3D tests work ok?....yes, they all work

Any problems listed under any of the other tabs?....no, no problems listed.

Also, please post a list of all the extra plug-ins you installed.

Plug-ins:
Valentine Dancer
Christmas Dancer
Jet
RabidHaMsTeRs

Skins:
ANGEL_WIND
COCKPIT
Cryostasis_T1
Digitanium3
DuskAmp
FlyingCircle2000Worldedition
Hitokiri_Amp
sw2beta
Target_Amp
The_Silence
Unreal_Skin_Of_The_Same_Game
Vault
Win2Kool


System specs:
Windows 98
AMD Athlon K7 700mhz
Asus K7M motherboard
Crucial PC100 128MB memory
Western Digital 13.6gig ATA66 HD
Creative Labs PCI128 Sound Blaster
AcerOpen 56K modem
Acer 50x CD-ROM
Plextor Writer 8/4/32A
300 Watt Sparkle Power Supply
Diamond Viper V770 Nvidia TNT2 32MB
Nvidia Detinator3 video drivers version 6.50

I also tried updating the display driver using Win98 CD Rom and still having the annoying problem. Seems like nothing works. I may need to do a format\re-install. I'll wait until I get your reply first.

[Lars]

I was mistaken when I said there were no problems with the display tests. Here are the messages I recieved:


The file nvdisp.drv is uncertified, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs. You may be able to get a certified driver from the manufacturer of the hardware device.

DirectDraw test results: Failure at step 17 (SetDisplayMode to 640x480x16): HRESULT = 0x80004005 (Generic failure)

Direct3D test results: Failure at step 10 (SetDisplayMode to 640x480x16): HRESULT = 0x80004005 (Generic failure)

AGP texturing test results: Failure at step 10 (SetDisplayMode to 640x480x16): HRESULT = 0x80004005 (Generic failure)

[Twilightseer]

Maybe the problem would be solved by upgrading your videocard drivers with the most up-to-date drivers ?

Egg,
couldn't the Wild Tangent stuff be responsible for this ?

[Lars]

Twilightseer, I already tried that.

[DJ Egg]

Did you try reinstalling DirectX?

Yes, it's very possible that the WildTangent plugin/s could be responsible.
Many people have reported problems, whereas it works ok for others.
For relevant info on how to uninstall WT plugin/s, etc:
Check this thread from Tech Support Greatest Hits & follow the links from there.
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?threadid=36850
[RE: "Problems with WildTangent plugin" section]

[Lars]

DJEgg, I just un-installed Wild Tangent by following the link posted. I followed the un-install procedures and got everything removed and then re-booted. Control Panel still would not let me change resolution. So, next I re-installed the nvidia 6.50 drivers. Still, Control Panel would not let me change resolution. I then un-installed Winamp and re-booted. Still nothing. Lastly, I re-installed DirectX 8.0a. Again, still nothing. Just for the hell of it I went into the registry under HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG, Display, Settings and changed the resolution from 800 x 600 to 1280 x 1024 using the Resolution key(Resolution - Modify). I re-booted and the resolution changed to 1280 x 1024 just as I set in the registry. So that worked. So, does that confirm that my video card, video drivers and monitor is set ok and working fine? Could it be a file in the control panel itself that is not allowing me to change the resolution? Are we getting closer?

[DJ Egg]

Well, that suggests that the hardware & drivers are installed & working ok, but that some config settings have been modified/corrupted.
However, having to go via the Registry is a very longwinded & roundabout way of doing things.

Do you have a recent backup version of your WIN.INI & SYSTEM.INI files anywhere?
If so, try replacing them & reboot.
Be sure to backup the originals in C:\Windows first.

You may want to check the following:
nb. These are examples from my personal ini files & may differ with different sys specs
Also note that not all entries are included, just the relevant ones.

System.ini

[boot]
display.drv=pnpdrvr.drv
dibeng.drv=dibeng.dll
gdi.exe=gdi.exe
fonts.fon=vgasys.fon
fixedfon.fon=vgafix.fon
oemfonts.fon=vgaoem.fon
386Grabber=vgafull.3gr
*DisplayFallback=0

If any of your entries are different to these, then post them here.

I could also do with knowing what it says under the following:

[boot.description]
display.drv=?

[386Enh]
display=?


WIN.INI

[DrawDib]
pnpdrvr.drv 640x480x4(0)=1,0,0,0
pnpdrvr.drv 640x480x8(0)=55,0,0,0
pnpdrvr.drv 640x480x16(565 0)=37,5,5,5
pnpdrvr.drv 640x480x24(BGR 0)=37,5,5,5
pnpdrvr.drv 800x600x16(565 0)=37,5,5,5

[QuickRes]
Options=3

It's weird how I don't seem to have any 1280x1024 256 color settings, hmmm?
You'll probably have a larger list, 'cos you've got a better videocard than me!
Or at least you should have! If not, then this'll be your problem.
The above settings under [DrawDib] were the ones that failed with your DXDiag test.
(640x480x16)

btw, have you checked the "Advanced" settings in Display Contol Panel?
Performance tab : is Hardware Acceleration set to "Full" ?
Compatibilty settings : "Apply the changes without restarting" . . . or other ?

Adapter tab : Refresh Rate = Adapter default -OR- optimal ?

Monitor tab : Anything checkmarked in here ?

Have you also tried : Windows Help -> Troubleshooter ?

Gee, I've gotta admit that this has been one of my toughest cases to date !
Bear in mind that you may yet need to contact NVidia support for the fix.
Though check the above settings first & get back to me ASAP.

[Lars]

DJEgg, here are my settings:


Performance Hardware Acceleration - Full.
Compatibility - apply without restarting
Adapter refresh rate - optimal


SYSTEM.INI

[boot]
oemfonts.fon=vgaoem.fon
system.drv=system.drv
drivers=mmsystem.dll
shell=Explorer.exe
user.exe=user.exe
gdi.exe=gdi.exe
sound.drv=mmsound.drv
dibeng.drv=dibeng.dll
comm.drv=comm.drv
mouse.drv=mouse.drv
keyboard.drv=keyboard.drv
*DisplayFallback=0
fonts.fon=vgasys.fon
fixedfon.fon=vgafix.fon
386Grabber=vgafull.3gr
display.drv=pnpdrvr.drv
SCRNSAVE.EXE=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\3DTEXT~1.SCR

[386Enh]
ebios=*ebios
woafont=dosapp.fon
mouse=*vmouse, msmouse.vxd
device=*dynapage
device=*vcd
device=*vpd
device=*int13
keyboard=*vkd
display=*vdd,*vflatd
EMMExclude=C000-CFFF,C000-CFFF,C000-CFFF,C000-CFFF

[boot.description]
system.drv=Standard PC
keyboard.typ=Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
mouse.drv=Standard mouse
aspect=100,96,96
display.drv=Standard PCI Graphics Adapter (VGA)


WIN.INI

[DrawDib]
pnpdrvr.drv 640x480x4(0)=1,0,0,0


Note:
I do not have [QuickRes] in win.ini.
I also noticed that display.drv under [boot.description] is set to Standard PCI Graphics Adapter (VGA). I have an Nvidia TNT2 AGP card. That seems wrong.
Lastly, [DrawDib] in Win.ini has only one line which is
pnpdrvr.drv 640x480x4(0)=1,0,0,0. My card ranges from 640 x 480 all the way to 1280 x 1024. Shouldn't there be more entries under [DrawDib]?

[DJ Egg]

Yes, they're the ones that caught my eye too . . . definitely some discrepancies there!

SYSTEM.INI

[boot.description]
display.drv=*

This should be exactly the same as whatever is listed in:
System Control Panel -> Device Manager -> Display Adapters
The wording should be exactly the same, including any spaces/brackets/version#/etc

The only noticeable difference between yours & mine under the [boot] section =

[boot]
drivers=mmsystem.dll power.drv

Where "power.drv" = Advanced Power Management
Maybe you don't have this enabled in the BIOS?

The entries in bold are in my [386Enh] section, but not yours:

[386Enh]
ebios=*ebios
device=*vshare
device=*dynapage
device=*vcd
device=*vpd
device=*int13
display=*vdd,*vflatd
mouse=*vmouse, msmouse.vxd
woafont=dosapp.fon
COM2FIFO=1
COM3FIFO=1
device=*vpowerd
keyboard=*vkd
device=*enable

Although there's no EMMExclude in mine . . . maybe it's meant to be this way?
This must be some reference to EMM386.EXE Memory exclusions?

COM*FIFO relates to double FIFO buffers for modem, etc. (n/a)
Errmm, I'm not 100% sure about the other 3 things, but they sound quite important!
Not sure of their relevance in this case though!
Only a Micro$oft technician or equivalent can answer that!

As for [DrawDib] section in WIN.INI
You definitely should have more entries than that!
This to me seems to be your major problem!
You can start by adding the extra entries from my previous post above.

WIN.INI

[DrawDib]
pnpdrvr.drv 640x480x4(0)=1,0,0,0
pnpdrvr.drv 640x480x8(0)=55,0,0,0
pnpdrvr.drv 640x480x16(565 0)=37,5,5,5
pnpdrvr.drv 640x480x24(BGR 0)=37,5,5,5
pnpdrvr.drv 800x600x16(565 0)=37,5,5,5

Though I still don't get why I haven't got any 1280x1024 settings in mine ?!?!
Like I say, I've not even got a 3D Graphics card on this pc.
I use another pc for games, with a Voodoo3 PCI, but the settings for this will be different to those for a Nvidia AGP, sad to say!

You definitely need to add those lines to WIN.INI -> [DrawDib] for starters, then reboot.

Backup the original WIN.INI & SYSTEM.INI somewhere first!

If that doesn't work, then look at modifying the SYSTEM.INI settings (as described above).
You'll need to reboot for any changes to take effect.

As I say, you'll still may need to contact Nvidia support to confirm the correct settings.
Though they'll probably just tell ya to reinstall the latest drivers.
Or worse still, to reinstall Windows, then the drivers.
You shouldn't need to reformat, lord forbid!

btw, I have my Adapter Refresh Rate set to "Adapter Default", though maybe yours is meant to be "Optimal" (Display -> Settings -> Advanced)

Is there anything listed under the [display] section of system.ini ? (mines blank, btw)

Oh yeah, and don't worry about [QuickRes] in WIN.INI
This probably just means that you don't have Micro$oft PowerToys installed
QuickRes is one of its components which allows you to change res from the systray.

I can definitely guarantee that the default installation of Winamp cannot have caused this problem, but I cannot vouch for any 3rd party non-Nullsoft plugins, eg. WildTangent.

[DJ Egg]

ps.
It definitely looks like there's no reference to your Nvidia AGP Videocard anywhere in either WIN.INI or SYSTEM.INI
Is there any other lines we've not yet mentioned that refer to it?
Maybe in System.ini -> [drivers] section?
If not, then only Nvidia support can truly answer with confirmation of the relevant config.
Hmmm, we're definitely getting there . . . especially with the [DrawDib] section.

R E F O R M A T

Your computer seems to be full of shit too.... Chance to clean up your system...

[Lars]

Greek, what are you talking about. I already re-formatted a week ago for the third time in a month.

DJEgg, I tried everything you suggested and the problem still persists. This is too crazy. I also just installed the latest nvidia drivers version 7.52 from http://www.reactorcritical.com. That still didn't work. I'm very close to re-formatting my system again but really don't want to. Oh, I also downloaded Powerstrip to see if I can get the resolution to change using that. Gee guess what, same problem. Any last resorts?

[Lars]

Now this is even more mysterious.

I un-installed nvidia drivers and replaced them with my diamond viper drivers(whatever came on the CD when I got my card). I then used the Diamond Viper update wizard to download viper's latest drivers from their site. I re-started the computer and thought it may solve the problem, but it didn't. So, I then un-installed diamond drivers and installed the latest nvidia 7.52 drivers. So, when it asked to restart the computer after the install, I said no this time. Well guess what? When I went into Control Panel to change resolution from 800 x 600 to 1024 x 1280 it worked this time. In fact, all resolutions worked.........until.

Well, until I re-booted. After I re-booted, I went into Control Panel and tried to change resolution and was stuck with the same old problem again. What can it possibly be? Did a different version of drivers load when re-booting?
This is driving(no pun intended) me crazy. I'm about to re-format but I'll wait for a last resort from anyone.

T minus 10..9..8..7..6..5..4..

[DJ Egg]

Did you add those lines to WIN.INI -> [DrawDib] yet?
It's gotta be something to do with this if everything works b4 reboot, but not after!

[DJ Egg]

Also, is your Nvidia card & drivers listed under :
System -> Device Manager -> Sound, video & game controllers
Are any problems or conflicts listed under "Properties"?

You still haven't told me what's listed under "Display Adapter"

It's definitely strange that everything works after installing the Nvidia drivers, but not after reboot. I'm still convinced that the WIN.INI -> [DrawDib] entries have something to do with it.
Have you added them yet?
After you next re-install the drivers, b4 rebooting, can you please open the file C:\WINDOWS\WININIT.INI and copy & paste its contents here. This is the file that stores all system config changes that take effect on reboot (after installing any new software that modifies essential system drivers/modules/etc). After reboot, Windows will rename this file WININIT.BAK
This should shed some more light on what's happening!

You should also use the Windows Search Tool to check for all files modified b4 & after installing the drivers (via the "Date" tab), and maybe again after reboot. Compare each search to see what files have been modified, especially any major Windows config files.
If you still need further assistance, don't hesitate to post any results here & I'll do my best to solve this problem once & for all.

Though, have you tried Nvidia support yet? If so, any news . . . I'm intrigued ?!?!

[Lars]

I checked all resources for everything in Device Manager and no conflicts anywhere.

Listed under "Display Adapter" in Device Manager is
"NVIDIA RIVA TNT2/TNT2 Pro"

Listed under boot.description in win.ini is
display.drv=NVIDIA RIVA TNT2/TNT2 Pro

I also added the same settings that you have under
[DrawDib] in win.ini.


Did all of the above and still having the same problem.

I re-installed the nvidia drivers but do not have a file called C:\WINDOWS\WININIT.INI.

When I said that I got it working last time after re-installing the drivers, these are the steps that I took:

un-installed all nvidia drivers

rebooted

installed my diamond viper drivers

was not able to change resolution

rebooted

was not able to change resolution

used diamond update wizard to install diamonds latest drivers for my card

did not reboot

went to control panel and was able to change to any resolution, refresh rate, colors etc.

rebooted

back to the same old problem again

[DJ Egg]

WININIT.INI is only created when Windows asks you to reboot in order for any changes to take effect. These changes occur during DOS bootup & b4 Windows itself actually loads. The file is then renamed WININT.BAK & must exist in your Windows dir.

If you made those changes to your WIN.INI & System.INI files & rebooted, and it still didn't work, then all I can think of is that your Registry entries have somehow got mysteriously corrupted, more than likely in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\PCI (OR \AGP *depending on whether the card is PCI or AGP)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Display\000*\MODES
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\Display (we've already been here!)

Usually, the best way to fix this would be to reinstall DirectX & the latest TNT2 drivers for your videocard, but we've already been here too . . . so, sad to say, I'm pretty much stumped. I doubt if this could be a virus related problem, but it may be worth checking just in case!

The bit about installing the Diamond drivers is the most bizarre part of all this!
Well weird!

Sheesh, I may have to admit defeat.
Unless I can come up with something else later, I recommend you try here:
http://www.nvidia.com/SupportCenter.nsf

You may wish to use this page for reference?

I tried my best mate, honest.
Let us know how ya get on.

[Lars]

Something happened this morning that I just quite don't understand. When I started my computer for the first time, I was able to change resolutions in Control Panel. I thought I saw light at the end of the tunnel. I made a backup of win.ini and system.ini just in case. I then rebooted the system about an hour later for the heck of it and now I was not able to change resolutions this time. Same old problem. How can it work one time and then not work another time when re-booting? So, I compared the ini files to the backup ini files to see if there was some setting that was different. They are exactly identical to one another. By the way, I had not installed any software or downloaded anything from the internet. Just wanted to let you know in case you think it was new software that I installed or something. Any idea? I still have hope.

Here's the contents of my Wininit.bak file after I rebooted and with the same old problem. I can't remember what it looked like before but I think there were 3 lines instead of 2. NUL=, that's looks bad, right?

[Rename]
NUL=C:\PROGRA~1\MESSEN~1\MSMSGS.EXE
NUL=C:\PROGRA~1\MESSEN~1\MSGSLANG.DLL

[JericoDW]

Lars,
Try removing and reinstalling your MONITOR(Not video card).
I had a problem like this just last week. It was completely unrelated to Winamp. But after reinstalling the video drivers 18 times, I deleted the Monitor(mag) and set up again, and everything was fine.

Good luck...
Jerico

[Lars]

JericoDW, you mentioned MAG. Is that the monitor name I should delete? All of them? How and where do I delete them?

[DJ Egg]

What do you have listed under:
System -> Device Manager -> Monitor -> ?

eg. mine is : Super VGA 1280 X 1024

In "Properties", does it say "this device is working properly" ?
Is "exists in all hardware profiles" checkmarked?

To change the driver -> Driver tab -> Update driver
Select an appropriate one from the list that pops up.
You'll need your Windows CD-ROM to be in the drive.

I suppose this is what Jericho is telling you to remove & reinstall, but lord knows how your monitor is supposed to work inbetween ?!?!

btw, your wininit.bak file suggests that you've recently installed/uninstalled something other than your videocard drivers, because C:\PROGRA~1\MESSEN~1\ suggests something like
C:\Program Files\Messenger....?
The NUL entries are nothing to worry about. These were files that were renamed/replaced with newer versions during bootup (if installing) or deleted (if uninstalling).

Anyway, I think Jericho's on to something here . . .
besides, it's the ONLY thing we haven't tried!



[Edited by DJEgg on 02-24-2001 at 03:41 PM]

[Lars]

Here's what mine says:

System -> Device Manager -> Monitor ->:
Plug and Play



In Properties:

"this device is working properly".
"exists in all hardware profiles" checkmarked?

[DJ Egg]

Yeah, the checkmark's right (exists in all . . .), but "Plug and Play" . . .
is that it? It doesn't sound right to me, but maybe it's the right one for yours?
You could try as Jericho says, to remove the entry & reboot to re-install,
though I've never tried this personally & aren't sure of the consequences.
We could do with some confirmation from Jericho, but it doesn't look like he's going to post anything else here? Personally, I'd reload the driver as described in my previous post, but by using the method below instead.

If "Plug & Play" is the correct driver, then go back to the Display Control Panel
Settings -> Advanced Properties -> Monitor tab
Make sure "Automatically detect Plug & Play Monitors" is checkmarked
You can reload the driver by using the "Change" button.

[Charmander]

Originally posted by GREEK_MP3
R E F O R M A T

Your computer seems to be full of shit too.... Chance to clean up your system...

About the reformat i thought that was previously one of the mod's sigs before they borught back the pics in sigs.