Video/LCD Problem

Question

I just ran into a bizarre problem with my Inspiron 8500 (ATI Radeon Mobility 9000).  Windows XP, SP2.   When I booted it up yesterday morning the BIOS splash appeared, the Windows splash appeared, and then everything went black.  Hit the LCD/CRT button a few times to no effect.  Plugged in a monitor and verified that everything was happy save the LCD wasn't working.  Digging into the Display Properties I was unable to activate the LCD even as a secondary display.   So I reboot to safe mode - everything there is fine.  LCD works.  So I figure the video driver is maybe corrupted.  I uninstall the video driver and reboot.   Everything looks fine with the default Windows VGA video.  (Save for limited resolution and extremely slow screen refresh - to be expected with no video driver).   I install the latest (A03) video driver from Dell.  Reboot.  Black Screen is back.  Plug in the CRT and as before - everything is running fine on the CRT, but I cannot get the LCD to respond.   I try a few more iterations of the above (safe mode, uninstall all monitors and video drivers, reboot, install video driver, reboot) and verify that it is consistent and repeatable.  I try with every version of the video driver I can find (A01, A02, A03, and third party drivers).  No change.   Next attempt - System Recovery.  I do a recovery to February - figuring I'll roll far enough back to ignore anything I might have done recently (though I haven't actually changed anything recently).  No dice.  Problem persists.   Any ideas?  The LCD appears perfectly fine in Safe Mode or when running with the Windows default 'no driver' VGA driver.  The video card appears perfectly fine with a CRT.  I just can't get the LCD to work with ATI video drivers installed.... Message Edited by Zeno42 on 05-02-2005 07:36 AM Message Edited by Zeno42 on 05-02-2005 07:37 AM

Sippan · Answer

Hi, I had just the same problem. What fixed it was that I changed the energysave option in the controllpanel never to shut down the display. This way the LCD stays on. But this is no long term solution. So tomorow I will call the guys ad Dell to get a better solution.

/simon

Zeno42 · Answer

Hmm...  It hadn't occured to me to investigate the power-save options.  And those have given me a hard time before...  I'll check that out and see if I get anywhere. Thanks for the suggestion!

Zeno42 · Answer

Unfortunately experimenting with the power settings had no effect.  :(   A worthwhile suggestion though!

psythe · Answer

I am having the EXACT same issue currently on my Inspiron 9100, XP, SP2.   Boot screen shows, Win Splash screen shows, and then nothing. An external monitor works fine, and the LCD works fine in Safe Mode. I have managed to force shut down and get it back at random twice, but then after a day or so the problem comes back. It is as if Windows is forgetting the LCD even exists and is looking for another display by default.   I have updated the video drivers to Dell's latest and no effect. Messing with the Power Settings also has no effect. I have plugged/replugged any and all peripherals that I use with it and no good:smileysad:   Please help!

Sippan · Answer

Have you tried to update your Bios? Yesterday when I spoke to support they told me that there is a magnetic device that gets active when the laptop is closed. This can get stuck and generate this behavour. Check out the Bios update, that's all I can say.

/Simon

psythe · Answer

Also, if I go to the Display Settings, I can see the second Monitor but it is inactive. If I try to activate it or use the Checkbox that states 'Extend my Desktop to this Monitor' it flicks off like it is going to do it, but then comes back in the same state. The Checkbox for changing the Default Monitor is greyed out and I cannot check it.

psythe · Answer

Simon,

Thank you so much! This is definitely the problem, and makes so much sense considering my latest bout. I was in the airport this past weekend and it wouldn't work so I closed it when I had to get on the plane, and when I reopened it on the plane, it worked.

Just now I rebooted without a CRT connected and it didn't work so I jiggled the little plastic piece in the back(near the LCD on the 9100) and the LCD popped right up so this is obviously the faulty piece! It appears it is getting stuck in the 'off' position just as you stated! Is there a fix that Dell reccomends for this?

Once again, you saved the day! Thanks! =)

Matt

Sippan · Answer

How wonderful that my advice could help out. I don´t know what Dell recomends, they offered me to replace the LCD but as long as it work I don´t need to have it replaced. So I guess it´s a simple HW problem. But as long as you can fix it yourself, I wouldn´t bother to have the LCD replaced. Where exacly is the magnetic piece located. Because it would be nice if I knew what to do the next time this problem occurs.

/Simon

psythe · Answer

This is from the view of my Inspiron 9100.   If you look at the power button, then look up and to the right. there is a little piece of plastic sticking up from the casing through a hole. I just took a pair of tweezers and pulled up on it and the LCD turned on =)   I'm not sure I could get to it myself to see about loosening it up. It looks like a complete disassembly would be necessary.

Zeno42 · Answer

This seems to have worked for me too!  I am not sure I understand why a physical tab getting stuck would result in the LCD working in safe mode or without video drivers but not with video drivers....but I'm not gonna complain now. Thanks for the tip!

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