How to reset screen resolution and frequency?

Question

Level 1

0 points

How to reset screen resolution and frequency?

I was messing around with different resolutions to see how the screen looked and i picked a 90Hz one by accident and now my screen doesnt display anything. Obviously the screen is not 90Hz compatible but how do i reset the mac mini to a default resolution since my screen no longer displays anything.

Bit of background, this is a set up in my car. I have a mac mini mounted in the trunk and a touchscreen LCD mounted in the dash.

Thanks in advance

lots, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Jan 18, 2009 11:06 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

Fortuny

Level 7

21,455 points

Jan 18, 2009 9:49 PM in response to scottishov

Hi and welcome to Discussions,

the display settings are stored in the PRAM, so a PRAM reset might help: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379?viewlocale=en_US

Regards

Stefan

Reply

Answer 2

scottishov Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 20, 2009 2:20 PM in response to Fortuny

I tried resetting the PRAM and no joy. Im still not getting anything on my screen. Obviously the resolution doesnt really matter, its the 90Hz thats killing things.

Reply

Answer 3

Fortuny

Level 7

21,455 points

Jan 20, 2009 10:52 PM in response to scottishov

Hi,

then maybe these procedures can help http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2213

Regards

Stefan

Reply

Answer 4

scottishov Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 23, 2009 11:26 AM in response to Fortuny

OK. So it starts up in safe mode and everything works fine. I go into the system prefs and the resolution is 800x600 and the frequency is 60Hz. I restart the computer and it doesnt work again. Im assuming it defaults back to what ever is in the user preferences.

I attached a second monitor and this works fine. using that monitor i changed the settings to 800x600 and 60 Hz and then restarted again with the original in dash screen.

Now it starts up, it works fine for the start up screen and then once it loads the desktop the screen goes blue and flashes unsupported.

I am thoroughly out of ideas.

Reply

Answer 5

scottishov Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 23, 2009 11:38 AM in response to scottishov

Wait a minute...

The product manual for the screen says that it supports 640x480 - 1024x768. Is it likely that it will only support resolutions in the same aspect ratio hence 800x600 wouldnt work?

Thanks again.

Reply

Answer 6

scottishov Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 23, 2009 11:56 AM in response to scottishov

ignore that last post since i brain farted about the aspect ratios not being the same

Reply

Answer 7

scottishov Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 23, 2009 12:13 PM in response to scottishov

OK!! I found this thread http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7431057

in which someone was basically having the sxact same problem as i am. The solution was to search for and delete some files called 'windowserver'

however, the poster mentioned that in leopard these files are hidden and the finder wont search for them. Any1 know where they are?

Reply

Answer 8

AndyO

Level 6

17,064 points

Jan 23, 2009 12:27 PM in response to scottishov

-Go to the Finder's File menu and click on 'Find'.

-Type 'windowserver' in the search box (no quotes of course)

-Set Search to 'This Mac' and Click 'File name'

-in the Kind drop-down select 'System files' and in the Don't Include drop-down, select 'Include'

The files should now show. Don't delete the WindowServer Unix Executable file - but do delete the files which will follow it and show with '.plist' at the end.

Reply

Answer 9

scottishov Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 23, 2009 4:21 PM in response to AndyO

ok. i wouldnt advise doing that, lol. i did it, did not delete the unix executable file and when i restarted my computer it got stuck on the grey apple screen. the little time wheel just kept spinning, i left it for an hour. The same thing happened when i tried booting it in safe mode. no idea why this happened.

i got tired messing around with it so i just de-installed it from my car (major PITA) and hooked it up to my house computer as a target drive (thank god that worked). im gonna copy my music and movies folders across and then just re-install 10.5 onto the mini.

i cant believe that one click of the mouse has cause me this much hassle. its insane.

Reply

Answer 10

AndyO

Level 6

17,064 points

Jan 26, 2009 3:31 AM in response to scottishov

There is no reason that removing the windowserver plist files would cause the system to fail to boot - these files are automatically recreated if MacOS can't find them. Removing these files is a standard (and Apple-recommended) solution to display setting problems. This would suggest something more radically at fault on your system.

There is, however, no reason (other than backing up) to copy all your media across to your home system. If you plan a re-install of MacOS, and as long as the drive doesn't have data or catalog errors, you can perform an 'archive and install' - this archives your existing MacOS installation and installs a new one, leaving your data and applications untouched. When you're at the MacOS install screen, click the button for custom install options and select archive and install from those listed.

Reply