I need help!!! HDTV and PC issue! (LONG)
 

For a couple years now I have used my HDTV also as a computer monitor and never had any problems.

Well I got a new system and all hell has broken loose.

I am using a standard monitor cable to connect to the TV. It started out working just fine for about a day. Then the next time I booted up my PC the TV came up with the error "Not Supported Mode" (I have a Samsung LN-S2651D) and the screen was otherwise black.

I had to hook the PC back up to an old monitor to try and figure out what the problem was. I spoke with Samsung who told me it could be a resolution issue. We tried every possible resolution and refresh rate. Nothing changed, same error, still black screen.

So then I was told it might be my graphics card not agreeing with the TV. So I looked into configuring the card with the TV. Well this is almost impossible to do without having the PC hooked up to the TV. Since I cannot see the screen when it is hooked up to the TV I am fucked.

So here I am with my brand new PC on a century old monitor instead. I don't get why it worked at first, then all of a sudden stopped working when no know changes took place.

Has anyone had an experience like this or know what the hell I can do?

I am not a genius when it comes to this stuff but I can get around pretty well.

Thanks!

Do you have any other way of connecting the TV and the PC? Perhaps via S-Video or DVI?

Do other devices, including cable, work?

Have you went through all of the TVs source/inputs and made sure you're on the correct one for the PC hookup? Maybe someone changed the input.

Tell what S-Video and DVI is please!!!

All the other devices work fine.

With this TV it is very simple. You have TV mode or you have PC mode. There is no way to really make a lot of adjustments. You can change the color and all that junk but I know I am in the right mode b/c it says "PC" on the top of the screen and it does start to load up but once I get to the WINDOWS screen it blacks out and will not load any further.

Your graphics mode is invalid. Likely either your resolution is to high or your refresh rate is to high or your color depth is to high. Connect to an old monitor and change the display to the correct settings and connect to the samsung tv. If you don't know the correct settings then check the manual.

On a side note, why did you buy an HDTV for a computer monitor? HDTVs are really only good for a computer monitor if you are using your computer exclusively as a mythtv box (or something similar) and want a large screen. HDTVs generally have very low resolutions compared to typical PC LCDS and cannot handle the higher refresh rates and bit depths.

it has to be a resolution or refresh rate issue.

kinda funny cuz I had the same problem with a monitor that I bought. I just had to go into the control panel on the computer, open up the display settings and force a lower refresh rate and it worked fine.

Before you get to the Windows screen, tap F8 and enter Safe Mode. That ought to resolve whether or not it is a resolution issue.

Thanks but I have done all of those things already (am connected to old monitor as we speak) and nothing has helped as far as changing resolution or refresh rate. I did follow all the settings in the manual for the TV and spoke with someone in CS about the TV.

As far as why I have a HD as a monitor.....well it is the TV in our bedroom and also my monitor. Why have two screens, when one can do both. I have used it as my monitor for YEARS now and never had an issue until I got this new PC.

I entered safe mode like this, and guess what?? It works fine in safe mode. That is why I don't get what is going on. When I use those same settings (resolution) to try and boot the computer regular, it doesn't work.

I am beginning to think there is no solution to this!!!

Edit: NEVERMIND!!

I FIXED IT!!!!!!!!

I had to change my refresh rate to 55, even though the TV manual said 60 and now it works.

Thanks to Shauk for the idea!