Does your monitor display show anything? In other words, is the
display distorted or is it totally blank? If the display is
totally blank, then there is no easy way to re-format your hard
drive or reinstall windows. In any case, reinstallation of
Windows would be a very last resort - and might not solve the
problem.
Most monitors work with a generic 'Plug & Play' driver from
Windows XP. Consequently, I doubt whether you are using a
dedicated device driver for your monitor (unless you ran an
installation disk that came with the monitor).
On the other hand, the video card in your computer MUST have a
suitable driver. However, a problem with the video driver should
not affect the ability to boot into Safe Mode, which loads basic
drivers that are compatible with virtually all monitors (and
provide limited functionality). Consequently, the inability to
boot into Safe Mode indicates a hardware defect (affecting the
monitor, or the video card, motherboard or power supply in your
computer), and NOT a driver problem.
Firstly, you should perform some very basic checks. Is the lead
(between the computer and the monitor) connected securely at both
ends? Remove the cover from your computer. If there is a
separate video card, check that the card is seated securely in
its socket.
If these basic checks don't help, move onto the following tests,
which should help to pinpoint the problem.
Test your monitor with a different computer - using the original
connector lead? If the monitor works, when connected to a
different computer using the original lead, then the monitor and
lead are almost certainly OK.
If the monitor still doesn't work, repeat the test, but with a
different connector lead? If it starts working, when connected
to a different computer using a different lead, then your monitor
is almost certainly OK, but your original lead is faulty. If it
still doesn't work, then you have a faulty monitor.
You could also connect your computer to a different monitor (one
that definitely works). If the symptoms continue, then you
definitely have a hardware or software fault in your computer.
The video card would be a likely culprit. However, there are
many other possibilities.
