"Cannot display this video mode" at bootup

[A1111]

Everytime I start my Dell XPS 200:

I get a black screen saying "cannot display this video mode" for 2 seconds, then a blank black screen, then the same message as before, but for about 15 seconds.

Then it starts up like normal and doesn't give me any other problems.

I'm using Windows XP SP3 32 bit and the screen is set to 1280x1024 res

Anyone know what is causing this or how I can fix it?

 

[MindoverMaster]

That would be a BIOS problem, I would think..

 

[A1111]

Well the computer crashed recently, So I had the hardrive wiped and everything essential reinstalled, but it still does it.

 

[Peresviet]

Have you altered your screen resolution?

If possible, boot into Safe Mode and change to a lower resolution.

Worth a shot...

 

[A1111]

Ok I'll try that. thanks

 

[95BlackGA]

If the computer boots into Windows still. Everything is fine. I get this all the time with my flat panel. It can't display 640x480 or 800x600, so I get "unsupported format". BIOS' usually have a VERY low resolutions, since there isn't enough storage, nor functions, in the BIOS to determine any other resolutions.

Can you see the Windows XP loading screen? (Not the Welcome/Sign-In Screen)

Do you see anything before that?

 

[A1111]

It only shows the blue screen where you choose your user name.

I connected my pc to an old compaq monitor (which weighs like 30 pounds lol), and it didn't have any display errors at startup at all.

 

[MindoverMaster]

Tell us the model of your primary monitor. This way, we can make sure.

 

[A1111]

Dell E193Fpc (19")

http://imgb-a.dena.ne.jp/exb3/cb/4/225780/8/95767656_1.jpg

 

[MindoverMaster]

Documentation

It seems to support the lower spectrum. That might be a problem with your graphic card.