Inspiron 9100 Screen problems

Question

I purchased a Dell Inspiron 9100 and everything was working great untill I pluged into an external monitor.

After that it would no longer default to the laptop screen only to the external monitor even though none were attached.

I have downloaded all XP updates and video drivers & bios updates and nothing works. Resetting through control panel does no good either. HELP!!! I have run out of ideas on what to do short of sending it back to Dell. I understand that it is only a software issue but I don't see what else I can do at this point.

The only way to get the laptop screen to work is to turn it on & off untill it boots up.

I am open to any and all suggestions.

Keith

natedogsworld · Answer

System restore has worked for me on several occasions.  Whenever I've downloaded something that messes up my computer, I've used system restore to the day prior to the download and it works fine again.  Of course, I wouldn't be able to download the file again or my computer would mess up again.  So if you use system restore it might solve the problem.  Hope this helps.

KeithJP · Answer

Thanks for the info. I tried that and it was a no go still defaults to external monitor. Again THANKS KeithJP

ctheune · Answer

I experienced this problem as well. After having my display exchanged it worked with the dual screen setup again, but after powering down and starting the notebook later, the LCD stays black.

Several things I noticed:

the BIOS says "unknown panel" on the panel type field
when upgrading the BIOS from A02 to A03, the LCD flashed two or three types.

I suspect that (although exchanging it helped) the display itself isn't defect.

I'd be glad not to have my display exchanged everytime I want to boot the notebook.

Any official DELL response would be welcome.

KeithJP · Answer

I received a response from DELL about this problem. They thought the LCD screen connector was lose.

I dont think this is the problem because the boot screens are shown but will not boot to windows screen.

I still belive this to be a driver / software Issue.

I was also told by DELL that if I open the laptop to check the connector I would VOID the warranty.

XPS Freak · Answer

@KeithJP wrote:

I was also told by DELL that if I open the laptop to check the connector I would VOID the warranty.

I heard this too, and I believe this statement to be incorrect. It probably came out of the mouth of one of their uneducated support reps who was told to say it to non business customers. Dell has never voided a warranty when I specifically told them that I did something of this nature to troubleshoot an issue.

What wont be covered by the warranty is when you damage something as a result of poking around inside the laptop.

KeithJP · Answer

Well I took my Dell 9100 to a friend of mine yesterday who works for a computer repair shop (company name withheld).

He took a look at it for me and could only find a lose piece of tape that was interfering with the LCD screen lid switch.

After removing the tape the laptop would work perfectly every time. He had it all day checking it out and could not get it

to act up again . All connections were good and everything hooked up the way they were supposed to be.

I picked it up last night and so far it is working great. My friend can not belive that was the problem and neither

do I but time will tell. I will post a progress report in about 10 day's.

Thanks to everyone for their input on this . It's great seeing everyone able to come together to help each other out.

Keith

KeithJP · Answer

Well everyone it looks like I have my computer back. It's been about 10 day's now and NO problems with the LCD screen.

Everything is working just the way it's suppose to every time.

I just don't know how a little piece of tape could cause problems like that.

I am happy, happy, happy.

Keith

Locked Topics – Laptops General

Inspiron 9100 Screen problems

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