FIXED! And you'll never guess the problem. Video problems on laptop

[dullard]

A laptop (Dell Inspiron 8600 with Mobility Radeon 9000) will display while booting, it will display in safe mode, and it will display in VGA mode. However, if you boot normally, or use the last known working configuration, the screen goes blank when Windows boots.

I've tried going to VGA mode and changing the resolution or the number of colors. Anything I try makes the screen instantly go blank and the only thing to do is turn off the laptop and restart.

I've tried reinstalling the video card drivers from the Dell CD. Didn't help.

Any suggestions? Can it be a software issue, or is the video card possibly broken at higher resolutions?

 

[Fern]

Do Dells come with restore disks? Might try try that (back up your stuff/data b4, of course).

Fern

 

[Slikkster]

Are you sure you haven't just mistakenly toggled the "Fn" key with F8? Try booting up normally. When the screen blanks out, press the blue Fn key and while holding it, press the F8 key. (Note: remember how many times you do this. It has three settings. First is normal laptop screen. Second toggle will display laptop screen with external monitor. Third toggle shows external monitor ONLY, so the laptop screen will be blanked.)

So, if you press Fn + F8 once, and nothing happens, make sure you press it twice more to get it back to where you started.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Fern
Do Dells come with restore disks? Might try try that (back up your stuff/data b4, of course).

The laptop owner doesn't have one.

Originally posted by: Slikkster
Are you sure you haven't just mistakenly toggled the "Fn" key with F8? Try booting up normally. When the screen blanks out, press the blue Fn key and while holding it, press the F8 key. (Note: remember how many times you do this. It has three settings. First is normal laptop screen. Second toggle will display laptop screen with external monitor. Third toggle shows external monitor ONLY, so the laptop screen will be blanked.)

So, if you press Fn + F8 once, and nothing happens, make sure you press it twice more to get it back to where you started.

That was the first thing I tried.

 

[Slikkster]

Well, you could try actual Catalyst drivers (which work perfectly fine on Mobility 9000 chipsets). It takes a couple of steps, but worth a short. Read my post for step by step directions here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=32&threadid=1774769&enterthread=y

My post is about three down.

I run these drivers on my Dell 600M (with Radeon Mobility 9000) and they're perfectly stabile and look great.

 

[dullard]

Fixed it. 3rd Dell support person knew the solution. First support refused due to warranty is expired, second said it needed a $500 fee for LCD replacement, 3rd knew what he was doing.

The suspend switch that the LCD contacts when the laptop is closed gets stuck in the down position (common problem on Inspiron 8600 I guess). So the video card constantly tries to suspend, but only at higher resolutions. Opened up the computer, disabled the switch, and all is well. Of course, the laptop user needs to remember to turn it off and not just close the laptop.

 

[Malak]

Glad you got a hold of someone that actually knew the solution! Tech support can be a pain sometimes.