Windows XP forum: Monitor Issues after SP3 update.

Hi there,

My father is having problems with his laptop monitor, When you turn on the machine, the bios runs fine into the the windows loading screen then, you can see the monitor loose all power after the windows logo fades to black, shortly after you can hear the windows welcoming jingle but no visuals.

This is the storey so far - I took the laptop to PC World to have it mended, the guy there seemed pretty confident that an OS rebuild was the answer, he said he'd do that for 50, if it worked, they did offer to send it away to get a definate repair for a fixed sum of ~230 but thats probably about the value of it now so not really feeasble - it didn't work, but he did the re-install and we got it back for nothing. Then my father gave it to a friend, who said she thought she could fix it, so she replaced the battery and gave it back saying it was working fine, which it did once then reverted back to how it was before.

I never really thought to ask my dad if anything significant may of happened before it stopped working and it was only today he told me that the SP3 update was performed right before it stopped working, duhhh thanks for telling me.

I can now get into windows everytime by booting in safe mode. I've searched google to find out how to remove SP3 and it led me to this MS site

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

I've tried all the methods and each time I come to a deadend as follows:

Method 1: Use the "Add or Remove Programs" item in Control Panel' - Its not in the program list
Method 2: Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder - The folder doesn't exist.
Method 3: Use the System Restore process - The isn't a restore point for service pack 3
Method 4: Use Recovery Console - The CD's were lost.

I Do have my own OS CD's which is the same (XP Home) and am ready to do a rebuild if it's necessary, but thought it best to check first if I'm doing the right thing.

I'm not 100% on the spec, it's a silver, bulky Dell laptop, the monitor's 17". I'll get all the relevant details tomorrow and re-post if it's really significant.

Any help you guys can give would be greatfully appriciated.