i8100 screen issues - please help

Question

I have had a i8100 for 2 years now and all of a sudden the laptop display or graphics card has some really wierd issue which i cannot explain, therefore have included pictures.   This seems to happen when I use the laptop for about after a while or so.  May be when the screen gets hot or something.  This does not happen all the time, and when it does happen, is then goes away after a while.  If i open up a new window, ie explorer, the display is okay, if i minimise the new window i just opened, the display is all messed up again.   I know that this is not a windows driver issue as this also happens when the computer is booting up. (The dell logo screen)   Also, when this is happening, i reboot the system, the dell boot up logo and the windows xp boot screen is also all messed up.   I also tried playing with the refresh settings and this made no difference.   Please Help.     Images can be found at http://www.byphotos.com/album/1149292 Message Edited by bbasra on 01-13-2005 11:33 PM

ejn63 · Answer

Attach an external monitor. Does the problem show up on it? If it does, you likely need a new video card. If it doesn't, you need a replacement LCD panel - or, more economical, to contact an LCD repair specialist.

Ed C · Answer

Take the keyboard off and reseat the cable to the video card.

bbasra · Answer

I will try that.  How will i know which cable it is underneath the keyboard?   As mentioned before, this does not happen all the time.  It just comes and go's, even if i dont switch the laptop off or reboot it.   Even if i leave my laptop on a desk and do not move it, it still happens as i thought it may be a lose connection or something.

schaki · Answer

It's a common issue for almost all 8100 users with that card.

I had the ATI-7500 before and was forced to buy a new graphic card.

Try to get the Ati 9000 for the 8200, it fits in your computer and is better than what u have right now.

Call spareparts and tell them that u have an 8200 and want to buy the ATI 9000. Do not give them ur service-tag when they ask for this, it will maybe cause problems when buying.

u can find drivers here: http://www.omegadrivers.net/

The drivers there works good with mobile-card.

bbasra · Answer

schaki, Is this the card you are saying http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3713&item=6736531968&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Also, if you look at the pictures link at the top of this page, is this the common fault?

Bascally, the issue is with my graphics card, not my LCD. And when the screen goes all messed up and i plug a external monitor to it, i will get the same problem on the external display too?

How easy is it to fit this graphics card?

Also how much does the card cost new in the UK?

schaki · Answer

Yes, it is that card.

I saw your pictures and can say that you have the same problem.

I don't know what that card cost if u buy it from Dell spareparts, call and ask.

It's very easy to change the card, just remove the keyboard, and than u will find tha card right under it.

Message Edited by schaki on 01-15-2005 10:37 AM

bbasra · Answer

It just happened again and this time I connected an external montor to the vga port of my laptop and the same problem was there on the external monitor.   Does this definetly mean that there is an issue with my graphics card?  I don't want to spend about £150 and find out afterwards it is something else.   Thanks

schaki · Answer

Boot up from the Dell cd, run diagnostic for the graphic card. It will probably report a problem i think.

bbasra · Answer

I dont understand how this can happen all of a sudden.  I have beed using the laptop for 3 years now and I did not modify anything.  Do graphics card just fail like this?   I'm also still running the original bios which was shipped with the laptop, the A08.  Is it worth me upgrading the bios.   Thanks

schaki · Answer

sorry but it's true yes. You are not alone. The quality on this edition of the card was bad.

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