As was indicated in your earlier thread, this yet another in a very long line of faulty nVidia graphics chips. You need to replace the system board to solve the problem.
Since another nVIdia-based board will just fail again, get the Intel-video version if you want to repair the system.
If you're getting video on the external screen and it hasn't got a colored tint to it or hasn't dropped the resolution to where it looks like a 1980's video game you may have a loose cable in the LCD panel. Remove the bezel from the screen and check behind the LCD panel to see if it is loose. Also follow to where the cable goes to the motherboard.
Underneath the LCD is the inverter, if that goes bad you won't get a lit screen but if you have something with a good contrasting background you can sort of see something on the background.
On D630's and E6400's ALWAYS make sure you have the latest bios to prevent overheating and damage to the graphics chip. I think on the D630 it is a14 or higher and on the E6400 it was a20 and higher I think.
Power off the laptop. Unplug / disconnect any peripherals such as the external display. You just want the bare laptop.
Hold down the blue Fn key and power back on. Let go both key and power button. Should start pre-boot diagnostics. Let it work away, coloured bars should appear on the internal display. And then you will see a message with a (y/n) prompt. press the n key. The screen should cycle through all white, all black, all red , all green and all blue. Solid colours across the whole screen. If you get this ok. then it likely means the nVidia GPU is toast. There is no fix other than a new system board. (Be aware that some modes of GPU failure will prevent the system starting at all.)
There is a one year worldwide warranty extension to the original system warranty specifically for this issue. Some affected systems shipped with and are still under the original 3 year warranty. Or are less than 12 months expired. So it is worth well checking out where you stand.
If you do have nVidia failure and the system is covered then be polite but persistent with Dell support and you will get a result.
If your D630 has the nVidia GPU failure and is not covered by the original warranty or the warranty extension then it is still worth repairing as these systems run Windows 7 better than some newer models. As advised above it is best to use a D630 mainboard with Intel graphics rather than nVidia. If you choose Intel graphics then and your system was originally nVidia then you will also need a new heatsink with thermal pads. All other parts are identical.
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
October 29th, 2011 12:00
As was indicated in your earlier thread, this yet another in a very long line of faulty nVidia graphics chips. You need to replace the system board to solve the problem.
Since another nVIdia-based board will just fail again, get the Intel-video version if you want to repair the system.
This is the board:
www.parts-people.com/index.php
stonent
2 Intern
•
823 Posts
0
October 29th, 2011 13:00
If you're getting video on the external screen and it hasn't got a colored tint to it or hasn't dropped the resolution to where it looks like a 1980's video game you may have a loose cable in the LCD panel. Remove the bezel from the screen and check behind the LCD panel to see if it is loose. Also follow to where the cable goes to the motherboard.
Underneath the LCD is the inverter, if that goes bad you won't get a lit screen but if you have something with a good contrasting background you can sort of see something on the background.
On D630's and E6400's ALWAYS make sure you have the latest bios to prevent overheating and damage to the graphics chip. I think on the D630 it is a14 or higher and on the E6400 it was a20 and higher I think.
Enceladus
297 Posts
0
October 29th, 2011 20:00
Power off the laptop. Unplug / disconnect any peripherals such as the external display. You just want the bare laptop.
Hold down the blue Fn key and power back on. Let go both key and power button. Should start pre-boot diagnostics. Let it work away, coloured bars should appear on the internal display. And then you will see a message with a (y/n) prompt. press the n key. The screen should cycle through all white, all black, all red , all green and all blue. Solid colours across the whole screen. If you get this ok. then it likely means the nVidia GPU is toast. There is no fix other than a new system board. (Be aware that some modes of GPU failure will prevent the system starting at all.)
If your D630 has the nVidia GPU then see here.
There is a one year worldwide warranty extension to the original system warranty specifically for this issue. Some affected systems shipped with and are still under the original 3 year warranty. Or are less than 12 months expired. So it is worth well checking out where you stand.
If you do have nVidia failure and the system is covered then be polite but persistent with Dell support and you will get a result.
If your D630 has the nVidia GPU failure and is not covered by the original warranty or the warranty extension then it is still worth repairing as these systems run Windows 7 better than some newer models. As advised above it is best to use a D630 mainboard with Intel graphics rather than nVidia. If you choose Intel graphics then and your system was originally nVidia then you will also need a new heatsink with thermal pads. All other parts are identical.