XP on a HP multi media edition laptop Help!!!!!!

[Grandpa Shooter]

I had my HP laptop hooked up to an external monitor.  I had the graphics properties set so that the external monitor was primary.  I disconnected it in a hurry and now I can't get my full screen graphics to work.  When I start the computer the start up screen comes up normally and at the point where it should go to my wallpaper and I should be clicking on my name, the screen goes blank.  If I power down, the hibernating screen comes up and the computer shuts down.  I know it is running in between because I can hear it.  I have tried going to safe mode and resetting it on advanced settings with no luck.  The fn and F4 trick doesn't work either.  I have tried it with the external monitor connected or not, doesn't matter.  I unplugged it and took the battery out to try to get it to revert to default settings---no luck there either.

And before someone brings it up, I am using my Lady's computer to post this.

I know a little about compooters, but not enough to fix this problem.  I have a full hard disk scan running right now, but I don't expect much.  I ran my debugger program just a couple of days ago, so I doubt it is that either.

Some of you smart folks can help me?

[AJ Dual]

You probably need to go into the advanced graphics chip properties .

Right-Click your desktop wallpaper in a blank space and choose Properties. Then go to the Settings Tab. After that, go to the lower right for Advanced Settings. You'll get another pop-out window with more tabs.

Hopefully one of those tabs is for "Intel grapics" "Nvidia something 1234xyz", "ATI Mobility Radeon" or whatever from the graphics chip manufacturer.

In there may be a dual-monitor setting there that is overriding the basic windows Xp desktop and monitor settings, and also overrides the Function key option for your laptop's LCD/External Monitor toggle on your keyboard. Happens on Dell laptops a lot.

[Grandpa Shooter]

Ok.  As of now I have gotten both the laptop and the external monitor to run in color on safe mode with networking, so I am posting this on my own computer.  Problem now is that the window size and font are so big that I have to scroll side to side to see the whole screen.  I have it on the minimum setting of 640 x 480.  I may be hard of hearing but so far my vision is ok.  I don't understand why this works in safe mode with networking, but won't come up to my normal window with icons intact.  I tried AJ's suggestion but don't see what he is telling me.  I get lost after the first "click On".

I know I am missing something, or the video card took a dump on me.  Anymore suggestions?

[Grandpa Shooter]

Deleted the video drivers, did a reboot and it works normally now.  Even a blind acorn finds a nutty squirrel sometimes.