That did not seem to help. After further testing with the Fcu F8, (cycling through all three modes... laptop, monitor, both) I see:
first time - laptop screen comes on, looks good for a second or two, flashes off momentairily, comes on for a few seconds and then turns off.
second time - monitor is on, looks OK.
third time - laptop screen is off, monitor is on.
Yesterday I had seen the laptop screen and the monitor in the "third" time. Because of that I had ruled out a display hardware issue. Now I'm not sure.
I just tried a system resore back to a month ago, and I see no improvement. So I am "un doing" that.
Where do I find sell diagnostics for this computer?
More info - did an F12 on startup, was able to get into diag ok. Still had to use Fcu F8 as laptop screen would only stay on for a few seconds. Diags ran fine using external monitor. More & More looks like a laptop screen failure.
By chance, when the screen goes dark, if you get a strong side light, can you see ghosting? Tap the Windows key and see if you can see your start menu popping up and down -- shadowed, but still there. If yes, then I have a few ideas.
If it's ghosting, it's possible your inverter is going out and the backlighting is just kicking off. That's the cheapest and easiest to replace. They're a few dollars on eBay.
One has to do with the lid position switch. I'm not terribly familiar with this model, but with it being a 14", I'm assuming it's in the right hinge area. Make sure it's set to 'do nothing' when the lid is closed. When it goes dark, close it. Open it. Did it come back on? If the backlight didn't kick on, check for the ghosting mentioned above. Gently rock the panel back and forth. If it's the switch, it should respond after a second or two. Some laptops ignore this when an external display is connected, so that would possibly explain why they'll *BOTH* work.
Maybe try ctrl-alt-down when it goes black. Is it back on, but upside down? But if it's doing it in a preboot environment, it's not software. Check for that ghosting. If it's there, then try the inverter.
Happen to be Riverside, CA-local? I have parts 'n' parts we could test with. :-p
DELL-Royan S
4 Operator
•
3.8K Posts
0
May 30th, 2012 03:00
Hi,
Welcome to the Community. Try updating your video driver and your Bios. Use the below link to install them.
Video Driver: www.dell.com/.../DriverFileFormats
Bios: www.dell.com/.../DriverDetails
Make sure the ac adapter and the battery is conneted to the system when flashing the Bios.
Let us know if that helped.
Thank you
msandin
4 Posts
0
May 30th, 2012 17:00
That did not seem to help. After further testing with the Fcu F8, (cycling through all three modes... laptop, monitor, both) I see:
first time - laptop screen comes on, looks good for a second or two, flashes off momentairily, comes on for a few seconds and then turns off.
second time - monitor is on, looks OK.
third time - laptop screen is off, monitor is on.
Yesterday I had seen the laptop screen and the monitor in the "third" time. Because of that I had ruled out a display hardware issue. Now I'm not sure.
I just tried a system resore back to a month ago, and I see no improvement. So I am "un doing" that.
Where do I find sell diagnostics for this computer?
Thanks for all your help...
Miles
msandin
4 Posts
0
May 30th, 2012 19:00
More info - did an F12 on startup, was able to get into diag ok. Still had to use Fcu F8 as laptop screen would only stay on for a few seconds. Diags ran fine using external monitor. More & More looks like a laptop screen failure.
Any thoughts???
endybajr
13 Posts
0
May 31st, 2012 01:00
By chance, when the screen goes dark, if you get a strong side light, can you see ghosting? Tap the Windows key and see if you can see your start menu popping up and down -- shadowed, but still there. If yes, then I have a few ideas.
If it's ghosting, it's possible your inverter is going out and the backlighting is just kicking off. That's the cheapest and easiest to replace. They're a few dollars on eBay.
One has to do with the lid position switch. I'm not terribly familiar with this model, but with it being a 14", I'm assuming it's in the right hinge area. Make sure it's set to 'do nothing' when the lid is closed. When it goes dark, close it. Open it. Did it come back on? If the backlight didn't kick on, check for the ghosting mentioned above. Gently rock the panel back and forth. If it's the switch, it should respond after a second or two. Some laptops ignore this when an external display is connected, so that would possibly explain why they'll *BOTH* work.
Maybe try ctrl-alt-down when it goes black. Is it back on, but upside down? But if it's doing it in a preboot environment, it's not software. Check for that ghosting. If it's there, then try the inverter.
Happen to be Riverside, CA-local? I have parts 'n' parts we could test with. :-p
DELL-Royan S
4 Operator
•
3.8K Posts
0
May 31st, 2012 02:00
Hi,
Try reseating the LCD cable to see if that helps. Use the below link for help.
support.dell.com/.../display0.htm
Thank you