Purchased a Toshiba high definition/lcd television and am experiencing problems using tv as pc's monitor. When I start up pc, I can see pc go through initial bootup process fine. But when the boot completes, I get an 'unsupported video format" error message. What's really puzzling to me is that if I select "Safe Mode" I get video fine, but if I select "Start Windows Normally" I get the
'unsupported video format" error message. If I start up without having to select, I get the error message after the boot up process. What's up? And how do I fix it?

It's a Toshiba Regza 32HL67 Integrated High Definition LCD Television connected to tv via VGA cable.

pc connected to tv via VGA cable.

The resolution/refresh rate are out of range for the TV.

You don't say which flavor of Windows you are running...

I'm as dense as rock, so would you please explain what refresh rate is and how to get it in tune, step by step? Windows Vista Home Premium.

mjc, we appear to be in the same time zone. sorry to have missed your message last night.

Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1 (build 6001)
Compaq-Presario GX617AA-ABA SR5310F
1.60 gigahertz Intel Pentium Dual
Refresh rate 60Hertz (for the pc monitor, max rate choice available is 75Hertz)

How do I\do I need to? determine the tv's refresh rate as well?

The TV's rate is probably 60 Hz...

What you would need is to find the native resolution of the TV...it should be in the manual for it.

Firstly, the cable is an SVGA cable, not VGA as earlier stated, which according to the manual requires a 800 x 600 resolution. The TV is 60Htz as you stated. Everything is working fine now. For reference to others who may have the same problem, you FIRST need to set the resolution for the tv while still using your non-tv monitor:

1-Right click any empty space on your desktop
2-Click Graphic Properties on the menu
3-Select Display Settings -window will appear listing the pc monitor's Bits (16,32, or 64), Screen Resolution, and Refresh Rate.
4-Select the screen resolution recommended on your tv's manual (set your tv to the tv manual's recommended refresh rate as well), click Apply, OK.
5-Connect your VGA/SVGA/XGA cable to pc & tv and VOILA, your tv is now serving as your pc monitor.

Thanks heaps mjc for your informed assistance. Particularly at a time when I was beginning to pull my hair (not literally, I have no hair) out.