Monitor resolution set too high - can't see screen to reset

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zgall1zgall1
Posted:
in Genius Bar edited January 2014
I set my monitor to display a resolution that it does not support and now I am unable to reset it since the screen is black. What can I do? I've tried starting up in safe mode (holding down shift) but it still starts with the resolution that is too high. I've also tried resetting the PRAM but that does nothing.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 7
    chuckerchucker Posts: 5,089member
    Hold R on reboot.
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  • Reply 2 of 7
    zgall1zgall1 Posts: 28member
    Just tried holding down R. It didn't do anything. What is it supposed to do? Any other suggestions?
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  • Reply 3 of 7
    sandausandau Posts: 1,230member
    I think you are holding shift too early.



    Boot into safe mode:



    1. Shut down completely

    2. Press the power button

    3. Wait for the startup chime

    4. Immediately after (not before) the startup chime, press and hold the shift key. Do this until the grey apple loading screen shows up.

    5. Wait while safe mode boots up. It will take a lot longer than regular OS X.

    6. Log in (press shift-enter instead of enter after putting in your password to log in without login items.)

    7. You are in safe mode



    Once in Safe mode delete the following file in Preferences folder: "com.apple.windowserver.plist", then reboot
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  • Reply 4 of 7
    zgall1zgall1 Posts: 28member
    Tried adjusting my timing with the shift key. Didn't work. And from what I've read on other message boards, that doesn't work to fix this problem. Anything else?
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  • Reply 5 of 7
    sandausandau Posts: 1,230member
    well, you have to somehow delete that plist file...





    boot using another drive as the startup drive?



    boot in target disk mode using another computer to use it as a drive (might not have write / delete access)



    bring it to an apple store for help?



    re-install os x (ick)
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  • Reply 6 of 7
    zgall1zgall1 Posts: 28member
    OK. Thanks for the suggestions. I guess I'll try the target disk mode when I'm able to get access to a Firewire cable. If anyone else has any ideas, pleaset let me know
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  • Reply 7 of 7
    scarecrowscarecrow Posts: 148member
    I'd just reinstall - it takes all of about 20 minutes.. and you'll be right back with little work thereafter.
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