Inspiron 9100 Video problem on cold boot.

Hi,

I didn't move my Inspiron 9100 for about a week and after this it was working normally.  After this, I carried it in its bag for a couple of days and the problems returned.  I suspect that there must be a loose connector somewhere.  I've tried reseatting the LCD connecter again, but again this didn't help.

In another week or two, I might sent the 9100 back to Dell for repair, but I'm a bit worried that its going to boot up ok for them and they're going to send it back unchanged.

If you've found a solution, I'd be glad to hear about it.

Thanks!

I am having a very similar problem with my Inspiron 9100, P4 3.2 GHz, WSXGA screen, 1Gb RAM + ATI 9700/128Mb.

It happens to me the first time this morning and the same thing every time since then: booting up normally until when the login screen is about to show, the whole screen goes black.   I even try to login with the black screen and the system gives the welcome sound after that.  But ... the whole screen is still black.

It works fine with an external monitor or safe mode (low resolution).

If I remove the video card and reboot, it shows the login screen in low resolution.  However, when I try to increase the screen resolution, it goes black again.

I have also tried to re-install with the latest video driver (R83268.EXE).  No effects.

If some one knows what the problem is, please let me know.

I am tired of installing the softwares again since I just got this system 3 weeks ago.

Thanks a lot.

Uwp,

Did you get any further with this?  I've reinstalled windows from scratch and I still have the problem. I've done lots of experimenting now with my 9100 and found that the safe-mode workaround is a red herring.  (It's not easy to test as once the machine is warm, it works ok - so it's one or two tests every day first thing in the morning!).

As with you, rebooting two or twice solves the problem, but nevertheless it is really annoying, so I finally decided to bite the bullet and send it for repair, but...

I've been fighting on the phone with Dell Support for about an hour today to try and get them to pick this up and do whatever they have to, but their tech refused to pick up the machine until he was certain what had to fixed.  I'm beginning to wonder why I bought the 3 year collect and return warranty.

Our converstaion went along the lines... him : "If the diagnostics show no problems then there's nothing wrong. It's your drivers", me : "I installed the latest drivers and I still have the problem", him : "Why did you do that?", me : "Because that's alway the first thing tech support asks customers to do", him : "Where did you get them", me : "From the Dell site, there were new ones last week", him : "No there weren't, I can't find them", etc etc.

 It's clear to me that there is a problem despite Dell Diagnostics showing none.  Maybe the diagnostics warm the video card up enough so it works when it gets to the high resolution tests?  Who knows?  Not me, but I am sure there is something wrong.

I will try and call them again tomorrow and hope a more helpful tech picks up the phone!

One important question though what do the Dell Diagnostics show on your Inspiron?  And if ANYBODY has an idea at all, it would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Scoobs

Ok, here's a little more information...

My problem is definately NOT caused by the stick (reed switch).  There is certainly an intermittent fault somewhere else.  It's not the screen as I've tried it with an external monitor and the display is exactly the same as on the LCD panel.

I've spent several hours on the phone to tech support, but they refuse to arrange a pickup as they insist that since the Dell diagnostics show no problem with the display adapter that there is no problem.  I can run the diagnostics 10 time and there's no problem, but then I can see display corruption even on the Windows splash screen sometimes. (This is no driver problem - Windows should not have loaded the ATI device driver at this point, but should be using just default drivers that work with all cards).  So much for the diagnostics.

Rather than tear out my hair, I decided to take matters into my own hands, and I disassembled the 9100, removing the screen, keyboard and video card.  I then used an aerosol to blow air into each of the connectors on these parts, and rebuilt the PC.  That was yesterday, and since then things have been fine - although I'm not yet completely convinced that the problem is definitively solved.

If your problem is related to the reed switch, you could adjust the power saving properties somewhere in control panel so the display does not switch off when the lid is closed.  This will at least tell you if the switch is the cause.  Otherwise you can try opening the 9100 and trying what I did.  If that doesn't work, then get Dell to pick it up, if you can get them to!

(BTW, I bought the 9100 from Dell because of the excellent after sales service I received on my last notebook, an 8200 but I am a little disappointed this time around)

Hi All

No solution just another soul who's been trying to sort this out. 

Same symptoms - in morning - boot, posts, windows progress bar, then blank screen (or white foggy screen - then blank - sometimes single white line across screen?). If I was to reboot straight away problem remains, however if I leave the machine on for 3 mins and reboot, it'll ask if I want safe-mode which I can say no and usually it'll be ok.

So today I had an hour or two spare so I've tried reseating the video board, this entails taking off hinge covers, keyboard and display then keyboard bracket (at which point I noticed the FPC (?) connector seemed pretty loose, however after re-installing all this the machine now seems worse!! so maybe getting somewhere - who knows.

I've been bouncing emails back and forth to dell support for weeks, but they just say, drivers, reinstall OS etc all of which did nothing..

I'm finding this whole experience faiirly annoying now - If anyone finds a solution please pm me - thanks

Cheers mos

Hi everyone. I had the exact same symptoms. (see above). The second tech at Dell had me send it back. DHL picked it up on Wednesday and delivered it back on the following Monday (30th). It's working fine now...holding my breath. The only thing written on the "corrective repair action" sheet is "System Bios Updated" and "Other...Hinge Cover"  I'm pretty amazed at the fast turnaround and happy that it is working..for now.

Anyone had any more luck?

My machine is worst since I took it apart - it can take 5 or 6 + times to boot from cold now.  Also it now freezes on occasion and re-boots... o dear!

I am loathed to send it back as I need it constantly for the next few weeks, with the students back - it's really impressive starting a training session by re-booting the machine 5 times and/or waiting 10 mins for the machine to warm up!

I've chased this problem since I've had the machine (start of June) some threads spoke of the little switch (screen down micro) and a replacement cover - but my machine had the boot problems with the cover off???

O well if anyone finds anything positive please respond - it would be nice to pluck this particular thorn out of my side.

thanks Mostyn

Hi All

I bit the bullet (should of done it weeks ago) and sent the machine back to Dell. 2 days later it's back, it's been fine since. so fingers crossed. Repair sheet just says 'Faulty Graphics Card' and 'Replaced graphics card'.  So a different solution to other users with the same problem?

I would recommend just sending the machine back if you have this problem - Phone them, tell them you've re-installed OS, drivers etc etc and plugged an exterior monitor in, all of which I did (on advice of email support) but to no avail. 

I was impressed with the turnaround.

Cheers Mos