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8342
January 19th, 2006 08:00
C840 Screen won't work, ext display does, LCD sometimes lights up, but displays nothing
Hi there, I have a Dell C840 laptop that I am trying to fix.
It runs perfectly fine (Windows XP) but for some reason I cannot get anything to display on the LCD.
I have managed to get it to work with an external monitor, and when I go into the screen settings, if I set it to stretch desktop across both screens, I can get the backlight on the LCD to come on, but nothing is displayed.
Any ideas?
I've resintalled BIOS, video drivers for Bios, XP drives for graphics card (from dell) etc.
I don't think the screen is duff as it wouldn't light up at all if it was, and if I partly remove the screens connectors I can get it go show a full white screen - so is this something to do with the settings of the video card??
Would an format and XP reinstall work?
I can't even get BIOS to work on the LCD.
Help and advice appreciated.
David
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AussieChris
4.2K Posts
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January 19th, 2006 19:00
Hi,
You could have a fault with the LCD, cable or video card. Dont assume the video card is OK because an external screen works. There is extra circuitry on it for the LCD. Reseat the card and all the LCD connections first, then is time to think of your options. It wont be settings, the display will work with no HDD at all.
Regards Chris
davidmbell
3 Posts
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January 20th, 2006 07:00
The guy who's laptop it is says he installed Football Manager (ages ago) and all the time after the that screen would only display a very shrunken image of the desktop. Imagine a black band around the outside of the screen that displayed nothing. He said it would "shrink" - not sure if this is a sign of something on its way out or if this any correspondence at all.
When I go into the twin screen settings number 1 is the external monitor and number 2 - who knows - should the LCD be number 2? If so the settings will only go to 640x480?
Cheers
David
davidmbell
3 Posts
0
January 20th, 2006 07:00
Cheers
David
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
January 20th, 2006 20:00
Hi,
The video card fits under the KBD, you also have to remove the hinge cover. It seems that it is a hardware fault, but new faults have been added trying to fix it. You can find a service manual at the notebook tab above. Even with no HDD fitted, you can get into Bios and move around. The OS doesnt do anything until after the Dell splash screen. Is it under warranty at all ? It would be nice to able swap parts to test them. Does it stay powered up without the external screen ? I havnt seen a failure in that model, but the suspend switch can give similar symptoms. They are a common fault in other models. Have a look in Bios for the setting to suspend with lid closed. It may be worded in a different manner. Try changing it, and cominations of it and having an ext. screen. It may help narrow down what is wrong.
Regards Chris