Inspiron 5150 Video Problems - mainly in games

Question

Hey there,   I have a problem with my Inspiron 5150 with a 64mb ATI Radeon 9000 card.  When I try to load up a game, my screen goes all... well, weird.  Everything was working fine until about a week ago, then it just started happening when I loaded City Of heroes.  I tried F1 Challenge '99-'02 in case it was an update with CoH, but it did the same thing as soon as anything moved on the screen.  I've had this problem before, or something similar, and that time a can of air sprayed into the vents cleared out some dust and everything worked ok.   Until now.  I've sprayed it, and it still happened.  So I wiped everything and re-installed windows, all the drivers, everything again.  And it still does it.  I'll try to put some pictures up so you can see exactly what it's doing to the screen, in case that'll help.   http://img.photoamp.com/i/vC9nO1.JPG   or this one, which is what I saw when I managed to find the exit button on CoH:   http://img.photoamp.com/i/XpFQxHe.JPG   Thanks for your help! Myk

ejn63 · Answer

Try an external monitor. If it works OK, you've got a faulty LCD panel controller. If under warranty, call Dell. They'll replace the panel. Out of warranty, have the panel repaired ($100-150) by an LCD specialist; replacement will cost $500+.

If the external display does show the same symptoms, the heat this system generated has probably killed the video card. Call Dell for a replacement.

If out of warranty,

Dell Spare Parts 1-800-449-3355 ext 7269937

NemesisDB · Answer

that is classic corruption on a damaged/defective/dying/dead m9000 64mb card.  the problem is related to the ram on the card.  the solution is generally a replacement card.  if you're under warranty it's free.  if not, do yourself a favor and buy the 64mb nvidia card so this doesn't happen again.

myk83 · Answer

Ok, thanks. I'll try another monitor later today when I can get to one.

If it does need a new video card, does anyone know anywhere I can buy the nVidia one in the UK? I'm having a bit of trouble finding it. And is it the GeForce FX Go5200 64mb? What do u have to take off to install it? I was trying to clean the fan under my keyboard the other day, and someone's tightened the screw on the metal plate too far, and I can't get it undone :-/

Thanks for all your help guys,

Myk

myk83 · Answer

Ok, I tried it with an external monitor, and it did exactly the same thing.  So I guess I'm looking at a new graphics card.  The only problem is where can I get one from, and how do I fit it?  Or will it have to go back to Dell?

NemesisDB · Answer

dell spare parts can only be reached by phone ... i don't know what their UK number is

myk83 · Answer

Ok, so now I know how to change it if I can get a new one.  The only spare parts available for my laptop that I can find on the Dell website is a battery...   Also, the 'one screw' holding the EMI plate has been overtightened by whoever put it in at Dell, and as such I can't undo it to remove the plate if I manage to find somewhere I can buy a new graphics card from.  Any ideas?

NemesisDB · Answer

dell spare parts is the best source.  here are the instructions:  http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins5100/en/sm/palmrest.htm#1105456

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