cannot change display settings

[trailblazer]

Whenever I try to change display settings (WindowsME), I get the following
message:
Runtime Error! Program: C:\\windows\rundll32.exe abnormal program
termination

I am unable to change the monitor display.
Also, when I click on the monitor background (not on a shortcut), the
display goes blank except for the background picture. No shortcuts or
toolbars are displayed. I think this is related, but am not sure.

[Mart]

Display issues in WinMe are generally caused by corrupted/damaged drivers
and can nearly always be corrected as follows :-

Boot into Safe Mode and in Device Manager, 'Remove' any/all Display Adapters
and Monitors and then re-boot. WinMe *should* re-detect (Plug and Play)
your video card and monitor, and should install the 'correct' original
drivers.

This should allow you to readjust your display to your required settings.

N.B. - Be sure that you have a 'fresh' copy of the video drivers (often
supplied on a supplementary CD, supplied with your PC) or download the
'latest' WinMe drivers from your video card manufacturers web site.

Good luck

Mart

Post by trailblazer
Whenever I try to change display settings (WindowsME), I get the following
Runtime Error! Program: C:\\windows\rundll32.exe abnormal program
termination
I am unable to change the monitor display.
Also, when I click on the monitor background (not on a shortcut), the
display goes blank except for the background picture. No shortcuts or
toolbars are displayed. I think this is related, but am not sure.

[trailblazer]

Thanks Mart ... I did as instructed. It found the monitor and installed it.
Still cannot access Display from the Control Panel. Get the same runtime
error on RUNDLL32.EXE Any other ideas?

Post by Mart
Display issues in WinMe are generally caused by corrupted/damaged drivers
and can nearly always be corrected as follows :-
Boot into Safe Mode and in Device Manager, 'Remove' any/all Display Adapters
and Monitors and then re-boot. WinMe *should* re-detect (Plug and Play)
your video card and monitor, and should install the 'correct' original
drivers.
This should allow you to readjust your display to your required settings.
N.B. - Be sure that you have a 'fresh' copy of the video drivers (often
supplied on a supplementary CD, supplied with your PC) or download the
'latest' WinMe drivers from your video card manufacturers web site.
Good luck
Mart

Post by trailblazer
Whenever I try to change display settings (WindowsME), I get the following
Runtime Error! Program: C:\\windows\rundll32.exe abnormal program
termination
I am unable to change the monitor display.
Also, when I click on the monitor background (not on a shortcut), the
display goes blank except for the background picture. No shortcuts or
toolbars are displayed. I think this is related, but am not sure.

[Mike M]

What exactly is the error please? Does it say that rundll32.exe is
missing? If so this can be the result of some malware including some
versions of CoolWebSearch although that was a couple of years ago.

If rundll32.exe is missing or perhaps damaged you can replace it with a
new copy from the Win Me cab set as follows.

Rundll32.exe is contained in WIN_17.CAB of the Win Me cab set and can be
restored using MSConfig | General | Extract File ... and following the
prompts. The "cab" files are in the Win9x
folder on the Win Me CD and also in either the C:\Windows\Options\Cabs or
C:\Windows\Options\Install, which depends on the media from which Win Me
was installed. See MS KB129605 - "HOW TO: Extract Original Compressed
Windows Files" (http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=129605).
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP

Post by trailblazer
Thanks Mart ... I did as instructed. It found the monitor and
installed it. Still cannot access Display from the Control Panel.
Get the same runtime error on RUNDLL32.EXE Any other ideas?

[trailblazer]

Mike, I already extracted the rundll32.exe file from the application
recovery disk. Did not help.
The error occurs when I select Display from the Control Panel to change
resolution, etc for the monitor. A pop up window appears with the heading of:

Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Runtime Error!
Program: C:\\WINDOWS\RUNDLL32.EXE
abnormal program termination

Post by Mike M
What exactly is the error please? Does it say that rundll32.exe is
missing? If so this can be the result of some malware including some
versions of CoolWebSearch although that was a couple of years ago.
If rundll32.exe is missing or perhaps damaged you can replace it with a
new copy from the Win Me cab set as follows.
Rundll32.exe is contained in WIN_17.CAB of the Win Me cab set and can be
restored using MSConfig | General | Extract File ... and following the
prompts. The "cab" files are in the Win9x
folder on the Win Me CD and also in either the C:\Windows\Options\Cabs or
C:\Windows\Options\Install, which depends on the media from which Win Me
was installed. See MS KB129605 - "HOW TO: Extract Original Compressed
Windows Files" (http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=129605).
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP

Post by trailblazer
Thanks Mart ... I did as instructed. It found the monitor and
installed it. Still cannot access Display from the Control Panel.
Get the same runtime error on RUNDLL32.EXE Any other ideas?

[Mike M]

Look towards malware/badware being the possible cause of the problem.
Start off by using one of the online scanners such as that from Trend
Micro and then perhaps moving on to downloading and running HijackThis and
see if there appears to be anything there that is unusual. Help in
interpreting HijackThis logs can be obtained on the Aumha forum.
--
Mike Maltby

Post by trailblazer
Mike, I already extracted the rundll32.exe file from the application
recovery disk. Did not help.
The error occurs when I select Display from the Control Panel to
change resolution, etc for the monitor. A pop up window appears with
Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Runtime Error!
Program: C:\\WINDOWS\RUNDLL32.EXE
abnormal program termination

[Mart]

I'm tending along Mike's logic - malware. Have you tried running your
latest AV/malware/spyware etc., utilities?

You said earlier :-

Post by trailblazer
Also, when I click on the monitor background
(not on a shortcut), the display goes blank except
for the background picture. No shortcuts or toolbars
are displayed. I think this is related, but am not sure.

Do you mean that if you right-click (your mouse) on your desktop and select
'Properties', then the same thing happens?

Does it also happen in Safe Mode (Control Panel & Desktop)?

Mart

Post by trailblazer
Mike, I already extracted the rundll32.exe file from the application
recovery disk. Did not help.
The error occurs when I select Display from the Control Panel to change
Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Runtime Error!
Program: C:\\WINDOWS\RUNDLL32.EXE
abnormal program termination

Post by Mike M
What exactly is the error please? Does it say that rundll32.exe is
missing? If so this can be the result of some malware including some
versions of CoolWebSearch although that was a couple of years ago.
If rundll32.exe is missing or perhaps damaged you can replace it with a
new copy from the Win Me cab set as follows.
Rundll32.exe is contained in WIN_17.CAB of the Win Me cab set and can be
restored using MSConfig | General | Extract File ... and following the
prompts. The "cab" files are in the Win9x
folder on the Win Me CD and also in either the C:\Windows\Options\Cabs or
C:\Windows\Options\Install, which depends on the media from which Win Me
was installed. See MS KB129605 - "HOW TO: Extract Original Compressed
Windows Files" (http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=129605).
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP

Post by trailblazer
Thanks Mart ... I did as instructed. It found the monitor and
installed it. Still cannot access Display from the Control Panel.
Get the same runtime error on RUNDLL32.EXE Any other ideas?

[jdr]

Mart, having similar problem. Deleted all monitors and adapters. When
rebooted, ME searchs for new hardware, asks me to install, but will not allow
the installation due to SURegCreateKey Failed. Also, when searching for H/W,
it will say devise unknown. Please advise.

Post by Mart
I'm tending along Mike's logic - malware. Have you tried running your
latest AV/malware/spyware etc., utilities?
You said earlier :-

Post by trailblazer
Also, when I click on the monitor background
(not on a shortcut), the display goes blank except
for the background picture. No shortcuts or toolbars
are displayed. I think this is related, but am not sure.

Do you mean that if you right-click (your mouse) on your desktop and select
'Properties', then the same thing happens?
Does it also happen in Safe Mode (Control Panel & Desktop)?
Mart

Post by trailblazer
Mike, I already extracted the rundll32.exe file from the application
recovery disk. Did not help.
The error occurs when I select Display from the Control Panel to change
Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Runtime Error!
Program: C:\\WINDOWS\RUNDLL32.EXE
abnormal program termination

Post by Mike M
What exactly is the error please? Does it say that rundll32.exe is
missing? If so this can be the result of some malware including some
versions of CoolWebSearch although that was a couple of years ago.
If rundll32.exe is missing or perhaps damaged you can replace it with a
new copy from the Win Me cab set as follows.
Rundll32.exe is contained in WIN_17.CAB of the Win Me cab set and can be
restored using MSConfig | General | Extract File ... and following the
prompts. The "cab" files are in the Win9x
folder on the Win Me CD and also in either the C:\Windows\Options\Cabs or
C:\Windows\Options\Install, which depends on the media from which Win Me
was installed. See MS KB129605 - "HOW TO: Extract Original Compressed
Windows Files" (http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=129605).
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP

Post by trailblazer
Thanks Mart ... I did as instructed. It found the monitor and
installed it. Still cannot access Display from the Control Panel.
Get the same runtime error on RUNDLL32.EXE Any other ideas?