Hi there,

There's a possibility that the video chipset has failed but normally, you would also see problems with the external display as well - for example, loss of ability to output at the monitor's native resolution (assuming that the monitor isn't capable of an output that exceeds the video chipset's capabilities), video corruption, strange colours on screen, etc...

The fact that you get the LCD built-in self test displaying does indicate that the likelihood that the fault is with the video chipset but I've got some questions that I would like to ask, if that's okay. If you can answer the following, it would be a great help:

1) When you ran the LCD built-in self test, does the colour on screen change with each beep? Also, do the colours seem bright and vibrant?

2) When you switch the system on, please keep an eye on the screen for the Dell Splash Screen on start-up. Is there anything on the screen, no matter how dull or faint it may appear?

3) If you press FN + F8, does the display change from your external monitor to the LCD panel without issue?

4) What may help is disconnecting and reconnecting the LCD display cable. To do this, please follow these instructions: support.euro.dell.com/.../display.htm 

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

(steps 1 to 5 only and do the steps in reverse - reattach LCD cable, keyboard, etc...)

5) Do you notice any display issues with the external display?

Hope to hear from you soon!

Thanks for your reply John. I'll see how I go when I get a chance and report back.

Bones

John, it seems that I've stuck out here. I followed your steps and answer them here:

1) When you ran the LCD built-in self test, does the colour on screen change with each beep? Also, do the colours seem bright and vibrant?

There were no 'beeps' with the LCD test. Yes, the colours were bright and vibrant.

2) When you switch the system on, please keep an eye on the screen for the Dell Splash Screen on start-up. Is there anything on the screen, no matter how dull or faint it may appear?

No, there is nothing to see on the screen. The screen is black with a glow at the bottom, but no splash screen appears.

3) If you press FN + F8, does the display change from your external monitor to the LCD panel without issue?

Yes it changes easily, but it seems it won't do this until it is past the dell splash screen. I certainly can't get it to change as soon as I start up. (I might play with this a bit more and see how I go)

4) What may help is disconnecting and reconnecting the LCD display cable. To do this, please follow these instructions: support.euro.dell.com/.../display.htm (steps 1 to 5 only and do the steps in reverse - reattach LCD cable, keyboard, etc...)

Thanks for the link. I have done this, but it hasn't repaired the problem. Everything is just as it was.

5) Do you notice any display issues with the external display?

The picture is clear and comfortable. I think the only issues that arise have to do with the size of the monitor (1440x900) being different to the laptop (1280x1024 - I think).

You mentioned the Video Chipset. On the external monitor, video and images are strong and clear; no distortion or mixing/fading colours.

I believe that I'm using a nVidia card - Quadro NVS 135M - if I'm reading my system report properly.

If there is any other information that might help, I'd be pleased to try and answer.

Thanks again,

Bones

Hi Bones,

Thanks very much for the information, very much appreciated.

I have a feeling that the video chipset has failed in the system, however the fault isn't presenting itself in the normal way. We would normally get problems with the external video as well as video problems with the LCD panel as well if the video chipset has failed but there's a few things we can check first.

Firstly, if it's okay with you, I'd like to try removing memory from the system if you have 2 memory sticks installed. The reason for this is that the nVidia Quadro NVS 135M graphics adapter has 128MB of dedicated memory but it also uses system memory. If you can try 1 stick of memory at a time, it would be very much appreciated. To do this, please follow these steps: <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Also, updating the BIOS may help. To do this, please first download the BIOS update here: www.dell.com/.../latitude-d630

To install the BIOS update, you will need to do this from a Windows operating system environment or by using a bootable DOS CD-ROM disk with the BIOS update added to the CD-ROM.

Lastly, running the 32-bit diagnostics may help by giving an error code, however you may have problems as it may be the case that you will be unable to change to the external display until the operating system has initialised. If this is the case with your system normally, please ignore this step.

In order to run the 32-bit diagnostics, you will need to create a boot CD. Please download and run the 32-bit diagnostics file here: www.dell.com/.../latitude-d630 - download the Linux-compatible file and follow the on-screen instructions.

Once you have created a bootable 32-bit diagnostics CD, restart the system and press F12 as soon as you switch the system on. This should take you to the boot menu. Here, please try pressing FN+F8 to toggle the display onto the  external monitor. If you are unable to get a display at this point, please again ignore this step.

If you do get a display, please boot to the CD and select "Test System" and then "Extended Test". This will run through some tests and can take a couple of hours. Some of the tests are interactive so please keep an eye on the system while the tests are running. You may get an error code that takes the form XXXX:XXXX where X is any hexadecimal number. Please make a note of these codes.

I hope this helps so please keep me up to date with how you get on. Thanks again, hope to hear from you soon.

Wow John. That's quite a detailed suggestion. I'll try the memory test soon-ish. With the BIOS update, as I no longer have windows on the laptop at all, will that be a problem? Also, while the computer is already set to boot up to CD first, what happens if I can't see anything?

I'll let you know what I find out.

Thanks again for your guidance.

Bones

Hi Bones,

Hope you had a good weekend, great to hear from you again.

With the BIOS update, it's only available for Windows which presents a little bit of a problem as you won't be able to use this in your Linux environment, however if you can create a bootable DOS CD-ROM with the BIOS update on it, you should be able to run the BIOS update. Of course, this is assuming that you even be able to see the DOS prompt on your external screen.

This link may help you create a bootable DOS CD-ROM: www.bay-wolf.com/bootcd-bios.htm - you will have to tailor the steps for Linux but it may give some pointers.

If you can't see anything when booting to CD then I'd advise that the most likely cause is the motherboard on this occasion.

Sorry it has taken so long to get back to this.

I have taken out a 1gb memory stick (dimm b) and when I then started the D630, I saw the splash screen. I had a look at some settings, confirmed that the bios is A08, and continued to boot. It was working ok with a Slacko Linux, the screen image is as sharp as I remember it being, but after about a minute the screen froze and now there is no response.

Interestingly, once the screen froze I could still move the mouse around, but even that stops after a while. Thought I'd post this before trying to work with the bios update.

Bones

I have same D630 but with intel graphics.laptop was working fine but after i updated my bios to A17.it was fine and i used it.but the next i got a blank screen.

I dont know what happened.i tried restarting it couple of times.it again showed disply but after that went blank.However it works fine on externel display.Laptops Screen flashes at very start.I connected it to another D630's screen but problem is the same.

is it due to bios update?it was having A09 bios.

Hi Bones and fike202,

Bones:

Can I just ask you if you tried swapping the memory between the slots? The reason I ask is that one of the memory sticks is possibly faulty. Best thing to do is to try the following, one stick of memory at a time:

a) DIMM 1 in Slot A - run the system as normal at this point

b) DIMM 2 in Slot A - run the system as normal at this point

c) DIMM 1 in Slot B - run the system as normal at this point

d) DIMM 2 in Slot B - run the system as normal at this point

This will test each memory stick individually and will also test whether there is a possible faulty memory slot.

If this is inconclusive, I'd advise you to try running the 32-bit diagnostics with both memory sticks installed and see if these report back any error codes.

If the 32-bit diagnostics do not work correctly, the next step would be to remove the following components:

a) CD/DVD drive

b) Hard drive

c) Any WLAN or WWAN mini cards (if installed)

d) Bluetooth module (if installed)

If you need any assistance on removing these parts, please see the service manual: 

If you remove all these parts and switch the system on, if you do not see any Dell splash screen on start-up or if the LCD panel stops displaying video, I would say that the motherboard has developed a fault.

Fike202:

Can I just double-check what has happened with the system? You state that you have connected another D630 screen and you still have the same problem - does this mean that you have tried a completely different LCD panel?

Best thing I can advise you to do at the moment is to try the LCD built-in self test. With the system switched off, if you can hold down the D key and press the power button, this will start the LCD built-in self test. Please let me know if you see a series of different coloured screens.

Also, please try using 1 stick of memory at a time in your system, for example:

a) DIMM 1 in Slot A - run the system as normal at this point

b) DIMM 2 in Slot A - run the system as normal at this point

c) DIMM 1 in Slot B - run the system as normal at this point

d) DIMM 2 in Slot B - run the system as normal at this point

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Please let me know how you get on!

Does the screen work in safe mode? If so check your screens resolution, if this looks good try reinstalling the Nivida Driver for your system either XP or Vista

Thanks for your comments Dell-JohnC. I'll try working with the DIMM options and see how that works. If it doesn't I think I'll give it up. It's crossing a line where I'm spending more time trying to understand what's going on for potentially no benefit.

tomastree, no, the screen doesn't work well with anything. I don't have Windows now and have been enjoying linux. I'm certain that it's a hardware issue. Thanks anyway.

Hi Bones,

Not a problem - I completely understand but should you decide that you want to continue troubleshooting in the future, don't hestate to get back in touch with us!

Hey all,

I've was having the same issue on my spare Latitude's D630, i have found out that my heat sinks on both of them that sits on the three processors is the problem. (cpu, video, and co)

it's been either putting too much pressure on the processors or not enough pressure, to be able to cool them off.

when i replaced the heat sink on one with a new sink including the insulation between the the sink and the processors.

It did the trick, also if your not looking to spend the money on a new one try just loosening the screws on the sink till the Fan kicks into high gear,

which will cause the machine itself to shut down after a minute or two. then when you reboot run the pre-boot system assessment which is F5.

After letting it do it's thing, it will go back to normal display mode. and all should be good.

since i had two of these laptops which did the same thing. i had to replace the sink on one and loosen the screws on the other. 

both are working good now.

hope this also helps as knowing that following those other steps help trouble shoot the issue as well.

good luck,

CrackerjackTech

hi expert john,

i am having the following issue...

i read a post where you asked him the following:

"When you switch the system on, please keep an eye on the screen for the Dell Splash Screen on start-up. Is there anything on the screen, no matter how dull or faint it may appear?"

Do you know what the issue is? 

Thank you!!

Georgina

Would you mind if I sent you my d630 through the mail, for I am too inexperienced for these steps. If so could you notify me via gmail.