AMD 3200+
ATI Radeon 9200SE
....

When I turn on my computer, it runs through the normal process up until the XP login page where i would normally select my user account and then login.

Instead of this appearing normally, the screen goes 'crazy'. Scrolling static type lines go diagonally across the screen. The basic form of the screen is recognisable but you cannot see anything. If I tab to the login and type my password it logs in and i get a similar problem with the normal desktop and all subsequent things open. Lots of unrecognisable diagonal lines, scrolling across the screen.

I left my computer off for a WEEK (i was away from town) and when i returned it TURNED on normally. However when i turned it off and tried to turn it back on I got the same problem.

My extremely limited knowledge would suggest graphics card, or possible graphics card driver. Any help or suggestions to the problem wouled be appreciated. Your assumptions are correct. First I would try another monitor on there to make sure that is not the culprit, if possible. Then you could try to remove and reseat the card (with the computer off, of course!) Finally uninstall the driver and then reinstall the newest version from the manufacturer's web site.

Post back with your findings.  My monitor works fine on my other computer. I suspected as much, seenig as it works fine up until actually getting INTO windows.

Removed the graphics card, reseated, to no avail.

To the next question: how do you uninstall a driver, download the latest and then re-install when you can't see anything?Can you get to safe mode? (F8 at start several times before you see the garbled Windows logo.)Didn't know that.

Now do I just uninstall my current driver and re-install this one? https://support.ati.com/ics/support/KBList.asp?folderID=301 (Catalyst 6.5 Windows XP - Driver Download)?

CheersYou've got it! Once you uninstall the old one, reboot to regular mode to install the new one. When Windows finds a new device (the video card) and tries to load the driver when Windows starts, tell it no and cancel. Then run the file you downloaded.

Let us know!  I downloaded the three files supplied from that link for the ADSL or whatever one.

I will reboot the other computer now and give it a shot. the driver worked perfectly, re-installed. the order i installed the components was important tho, had to install the encoder, then reboot, then the .net 2.0 framework, then the control center (for anyone who has the same problem and finds this). thanks a tonne GX1_Man... you do this forum a great favour. You're quite WELCOME. Glad you are all fixed up!