I would recommend updating your system's BIOS and video driver to the latest versions. You can download these updates from our web site, which is located at:
Next, enter your service tag or choose your system model. This will bring up a list of all files available for your computer. Locate, download, and install the most recent BIOS version from our web site.
To install the BIOS revision you will first double click on the file that you have downloaded. You will be prompted to insert a floppy disk, and the setup program will automatically create a bootable flash BIOS diskette. Once the bootable flash BIOS disk is created, restart the computer with this disk in the floppy disk drive. Your system will automatically do the BIOS update, simply follow the onscreen instructions. After your computer restarts the update has been completed, and you can remove the floppy disk.
I've been reading some comments about external monitors (crt/lcd) when usign Latitude C400 in docking stations. I recently did a clean install of Windows XP Pro in a Latitude C400 and I have a X2GEN LCD model MG-15A connected to a docking station, when I use the laptop into the docking station it begins to show starting Windows XP and then it shows nothing. If I test the laptop connecting lcd directly to VGA port it works. Also I had the same computer and ldc monitor with docking station working with Windows 2000 Professional without problems. I also upgrade my laptop bios to latest release and it didn't work.
I have what sounds like the same problem and so far haven't been able to figure it out. The problem is when my c400 is docked, the external monitor doesn't work, I see the Windows XP logo during the initial boot sequence but once the logon screen should appear all I see is a black screen and the monitor goes into power save mode. This began after I updated to the latest video driver downloaded from the dell web site. I have installed the A12 bios and reinstalled the video driver but the problem remains.
I have seen the same problem with XP/2000 after a user has updated to the latest Intel video drivers 6.14 dated 6/03/2004. This can be done manually from dell's support/drivers website or if someone used the MS windows critical updates site and selected video drivers. I have found two workarounds:
1. Download and install Intel Video Driver previous version 6.13
2. Goto Control Panel, power options, Advanced, Change "When I close my Laptop Lid" to do nothing. Then when you reboot in the dock and the video "disappears", open the laptop lid, count to the number "5" then close it. It should force the video to re-sych to the external monitor.
Dell, are you aware of this problem? If so, do you have settings that can be changed in the new driver/software that will resolve it?
I support several of the C400 laptops and this is a problem on all of them with Windows XP installed. I have done a clean install of Windows XP (I updated the BIOS before the install) and installed the latest video driver. When I put the laptop in the dock I have the problem with the external monitor display stopping at the Windows XP splash screen. I was previously able to fix the problem by installing the older driver from Dell but was hoping I could get everything to work with the new driver.
The C400 is a business model and most businesses use docking stations so I can't understand why Dell has not fixed this problem with a newer driver. I will go back to installing the older driver to fix the problem but this is something Dell should fix unless they don't care about the customers anymore!
Rance485
2 Intern
•
298 Posts
0
December 18th, 2002 11:00
Mikio:
I would recommend updating your system's BIOS and video driver to the latest versions. You can download these updates from our web site, which is located at:
http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/index.asp
Next, enter your service tag or choose your system model. This will bring up a list of all files available for your computer. Locate, download, and install the most recent BIOS version from our web site.
To install the BIOS revision you will first double click on the file that you have downloaded. You will be prompted to insert a floppy disk, and the setup program will automatically create a bootable flash BIOS diskette. Once the bootable flash BIOS disk is created, restart the computer with this disk in the floppy disk drive. Your system will automatically do the BIOS update, simply follow the onscreen instructions. After your computer restarts the update has been completed, and you can remove the floppy disk.
Joswald Mata
1 Message
0
July 9th, 2004 18:00
Hi,
I've been reading some comments about external monitors (crt/lcd) when usign Latitude C400 in docking stations. I recently did a clean install of Windows XP Pro in a Latitude C400 and I have a X2GEN LCD model MG-15A connected to a docking station, when I use the laptop into the docking station it begins to show starting Windows XP and then it shows nothing. If I test the laptop connecting lcd directly to VGA port it works. Also I had the same computer and ldc monitor with docking station working with Windows 2000 Professional without problems. I also upgrade my laptop bios to latest release and it didn't work.
Any ideas?
Joswald Mata
Tetra Pak
Venezuela
cunnincr
1 Message
0
July 20th, 2004 16:00
I have what sounds like the same problem and so far haven't been able to figure it out. The problem is when my c400 is docked, the external monitor doesn't work, I see the Windows XP logo during the initial boot sequence but once the logon screen should appear all I see is a black screen and the monitor goes into power save mode. This began after I updated to the latest video driver downloaded from the dell web site. I have installed the A12 bios and reinstalled the video driver but the problem remains.
Any added advice would be much appreciated.
Average_Joe_Use
2 Posts
0
August 17th, 2004 22:00
I have seen the same problem with XP/2000 after a user has updated to the latest Intel video drivers 6.14 dated 6/03/2004. This can be done manually from dell's support/drivers website or if someone used the MS windows critical updates site and selected video drivers. I have found two workarounds:
1. Download and install Intel Video Driver previous version 6.13
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/format.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&SystemID=LAT_PNT_P3_C400&os=WNT5&osl=en&deviceid=1033&devlib=6&category=6&releaseid=R46584
2. Goto Control Panel, power options, Advanced, Change "When I close my Laptop Lid" to do nothing. Then when you reboot in the dock and the video "disappears", open the laptop lid, count to the number "5" then close it. It should force the video to re-sych to the external monitor.
Dell, are you aware of this problem? If so, do you have settings that can be changed in the new driver/software that will resolve it?
CSCTech
13 Posts
0
December 9th, 2004 12:00
I support several of the C400 laptops and this is a problem on all of them with Windows XP installed. I have done a clean install of Windows XP (I updated the BIOS before the install) and installed the latest video driver. When I put the laptop in the dock I have the problem with the external monitor display stopping at the Windows XP splash screen. I was previously able to fix the problem by installing the older driver from Dell but was hoping I could get everything to work with the new driver.
The C400 is a business model and most businesses use docking stations so I can't understand why Dell has not fixed this problem with a newer driver. I will go back to installing the older driver to fix the problem but this is something Dell should fix unless they don't care about the customers anymore!