The screen may go black when Media Center is running in full-screen mode in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (889379)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

SYMPTOMS

When Media Center is running in full-screen mode on your Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based computer, the screen may go black when you take any one of the following actions:
  • You press and hold ALT, and then you press TAB several times.
  • You change from a supported screen refresh rate, such as 60 Hertz, to a non-supported screen refresh rate, such as 70 Hertz.
  • You change the screen resolution to 1152 x 900, 1152 x 870, or 832 x 624.

CAUSE

This problem may occur in the following scenarios:
  • You press and hold ALT, and then you press TAB several times when Media Center is running in full-screen mode and Media Center is the only program running on the computer. The problem does not occur when there are additional programs that are running and that appear when you press ALT+TAB.
  • The screen refresh rate, or refresh frequency, is not correct. Windows Media Center Edition uses 60 Hertz to optimize the display when in full-screen mode. This is the same screen refresh rate that is used with NSTC video. This problem may occur if the screen refresh rate is automatically changed to a higher frequency when you change the screen resolution.
  • The screen resolution has been changed to a resolution such as 1152 x 900, 1152 x 870, or 832 x 624. Note that when you change the screen resolution, the screen refresh rate may be automatically changed to a higher frequency, which may be incorrect. For more information about this, see the second bullet in this section.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: The screen goes black when you press ALT+TAB

To work around this problem and restore the screen, either press the Windows logo key, or press CTRL+ESC to open the Start menu. When the screen is restored, you can switch the screen focusback to Media Center.

Method 2: The screen goes black after you change the screen resolution or screen refresh rate

To work around this problem and restore the screen, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type desk.cpl, and then click OK.
  2. Click the Settings tab, and then set the screen resolution to a supported resolution by moving the slider bar to the setting that you want.
  3. Click Advanced, and then click the Monitor tab.
  4. In the Screen refresh rate list, click60 Hertz, and then click OK two times to apply the changes.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

Media Center Technical Support

Because Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition was included with your hardware device or system, the hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for this software. Your manufacturer may have customized the installation with unique components such as specific device drivers and optional settings to maximize the performance of that manufacturer's hardware. If you require technical help with Windows XP Media Center Edition, contact your manufacturer directly because the manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that the manufacturer has installed on the hardware.

You can also visit the Windows XP Media Center Edition product information Web site at the following Microsoft Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/21/2005
Keywords:kbtshoot KB889379 kbAudEndUser
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