Unless you back up the files you need using safe mode your personnel files
will most likely be lost since the recovery disks just reinstall the initial
OS that came with your computer.
Do I understand correctly that you have installed the latest ATI drivers
from the ATI Website for your graphics card using safe mode and not any
drivers from the MS website?

"Jim537" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:f5abd93ec16f8aa82fa70c59087e5443@nntp-gateway.com...
>
> Thanks, Ralfg...
>
> The Samsung monitor had been running prior to the the hardware failures
> on the laptop. When I origianally installed it many months ago, it was
> simply plug and play.
> The problem arose when I tried to re-install the monitor after I got
> the PC back from HP. I tried all the VISTA setup for external monitor
> and the ATI setup process to no avail. The screen appeared "elongated"
> and the task bar was below the screen frame where you could not see it.
> I then started a email string with HP Support and they recommended and
> sent directions to do 3 things:
> Set bios to default - did not resolve
> Update the bios - did not resolve
> Update video driver - did not resolve
> Of course, updating the bios wiped out some other drivers and my
> wireless keyboard and mouse no longer worked anymore so we were just
> getting deeper into more issues as well as not resolving the monitor
> problem.
> They then decided they would send me a disc set to re-install the OS/HP
> apps.
> At that point I suggested using my HP Recovery discs, which they did
> not recommend. My hope was that I might salvage my contacts as they did
> not get re-installed when I ran my backup/restore.
> But, as you so aptly noted, no data gets put back when the recovery
> discs are used, so I guess I'll wait for the HP disc set to arrive in a
> few days and start all over again!
> Fortunately I have a back up with a HP mini netbook so I can still do
> email and browsing while this device gets recreated.
>
>
> --
> Jim537