secondary monitor stays black on vostro 3500

Question

During the past half year I have been using a secondary monitor, an Acer AL1914, as the main screen for my laptop  (a vostro 3500). Then about two months ago the Acer screen simply stayed black whenever I connected it to my laptop. I tried using a different cable, and also connecting to a different screen, a Hyundai L72D, but neither resulted in anything but a black screen. The laptop recognizes the monitor when it is connected though and marks it as a secondary monitor in the screen resolution panel. And when I extend the displays and move my mouse off the edge of the screen I notice that it takes a bit to get back on my laptop screen. But nothing is ever shown on the other screen. I figured that the problem had to lie with my graphics card, so I downloaded the newest Nvidea driver from the Dell page but it changed nothing. I also noticed that when I disconnect the Acer my laptop still says there is a generic non-PnP monitor connected, which makes no sense to me. Any tips or help would be greatly appreciated My graphics card is a Nvidea GeForce 310M 512 MB, and my driver version is 8.16.11.8999

ejn63 · Answer

If you didn't already, try a new monitor cable.

DarkLedd · Answer

Yes, the monitor is usually hooked up to my desktop and works fine. I even tried a second monitor and that one stayed black as well.

Mary G · Answer

Then it could be the display port on the laptop since the same thing happens with a diff monitor. Use the display on the laptop. I would use it as an excuse to buy a new laptop!

Mary G · Answer

Did you try the monitor on another computer to be sure it's not the monitor?

DarkLedd · Answer

I tried using the monitor cable from my desktop, but still the screen stayed black.

DarkLedd · Answer

Having bought this laptop barely half a year ago I am somewhat reluctant to buy a new one already. Thanks for the tips though!

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