Error Message: The Currently Selected Display Resolution Is Invalid (277826)

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

After you install a new video adapter driver, you may receive the following error message:

Invalid Display settings
The currently selected display resolution is invalid
Please use the display option in the Windows NT Control Panel to select your preferred display resolution.

The video adapter tests correctly at any supported resolution and color depth, but the desktop is displayed only with the default VGA colors and resolution.

CAUSE

The behavior occurs if the Basevideo subkey is present under the following registry location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this issue:

Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
Locate and click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers
Remove the Basevideo subkey if it exists.
Quit Registry Editor and then restart the computer.