Something Seriously Wrong with my Computer Screen

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Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:10 pm

Ok so basically a few days ago I turned on my laptop and, all of a sudden, this weird thing came up. All dark colors became reds, light color became blues, and other strange happenings. Please see the linked pictures, and, yes, all those reds and weird horizontal lines are real. Anyone with any help please let me know because I really don't want to buy another laptop.

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt51/simpsonman3000/DSCN1183.jpg- startup screen

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt51/simpsonman3000/DSCN1184.jpg - return from hibernation

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt51/simpsonman3000/DSCN1182.jpg - hibernating (screen supposed to be black)

http://s597.photobucket.com/albums/tt51/simpsonman3000/?action=view¤t=DSCN1177.jpg - my desktop (picture of Hobbes should look like this : http://www.calvin-und-hobbes.com/images/stories/wallpaper/chwp43_1024x768.jpg)

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt51/simpsonman3000/DSCN1186.jpg - youtube video. yes... the red is real... WTF

http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt51/simpsonman3000/DSCN1181.jpg - internet history... what is the deal with the green lines?

[EDIT]: links didn't work for me

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:19 pm

The last ones worked for me, eww that doesn't look pretty. I had to get a new screen for a laptop I trod on in a powercut, and it was most of the price of the laptop. I'm sure others have more idea if that's software or hardware.

Mind you, much of the 1970's looked like that to me.

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:22 pm

In the moment it is hard for me to believe this to be an software-problem.

Looks more like an hardware-problem... maybe the connection video card - screen...

But... lets see what others have to say.

P.S.: Did the laptop lay long time in the sun or in an heated area? Did it got a hit?

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:23 pm

Interesting, but you think different I get it.

system restore to date before first apperance ? No success?

Control panel -- system- tab Hardware --device manager -- display adapter open that -- right hand click Update driver
same to Monitors open it and Update driver

No success? then something might be going bad.

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:25 pm

hmmm i guess i could try a system restore...

and no it was not left in the sun... just in a room with normal use.

i would say the thing is like 4 years old. a desktop replacement laptop.

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:25 pm

bill2 wrote:

Control panel -- system- tab Hardware --device manager -- display adapter open that -- right hand click Update driver
same to Monitors open it and Update driver

The windows driver isn't used in the startup screen and return from hibernation as far as I know...
The driver kicks in at the login-screen afair.

Edit:
When entering the bios of the laptop. Does it looks strange too?

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:28 pm

wtf is the bios?

i do know about using computers, but i don't know anything about drivers and bios and stuff like that.

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:32 pm

also:

the light blues look like they are in motion... and so does the red on my start bar. like its on a conveyor belt?????

o help me jebus

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:32 pm

The Bios

You normaly enter the bios by pressing "Del" while you boot up (not resuming from hibernation) your machine. Before the windows startup is displayed.

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:50 pm

If restore, drivers and bios don't give the desired results I'm beginning to think screwdriver and I don't know if you want to go that way. Most of the time the plug (as mentioned before) will come lose or even worse the cable is starting to go where it bends. Does moving the screen change the view?

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:01 am

^^^no it doesnt. and there is no way i am going into my computer to try to fix anything. everything on it works except for this thing.

although there is a small internet issue where some sites are not loading and others do... although this has been happening for a while. usually turning it off and on will be hit and miss is getting it working for me... maybe you guys can help me solve this problem too?

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:03 am

Before you try to restore your pc try to get into the bios... or boot with an linux-boot-disk/-cd or something else.

This way we can see if the problem is only under windows (driver problem.. something different a restore could solve), or if it is an hardware-problem.

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:10 am

Assuming you did the software thing and made sure you have the right drivers and bios is recognizing everything as planned then the chance that it is software related gets smaller. You can do a virus scan as there are some old viruses out there that played with your screen. Used an old floppy lately?
Go to the resellers or computer site and try to get a chat with a technician there. I always found that Compaq (HP) is very nice to product users. First collect some info on system and windoze version so you can answer their first questions. No clue what you are running though.
A Google for keywords like "computer + type + display" can bring some info too.
Keep us posted, we are willing to help, but my arms aren't long enough to get to your keyboard Laughing

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:12 am

My first thought would be a dying video card of which there really isn't anything you can do.

Other than that I would also suggest that you try to update your video card drivers. Go to the websites of whoever made your laptop (Dell, Gateway, ...) and do a search for drivers for your model, download them and try to install them.

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 1:09 am

ok guys thanks for all the tips

i am going to try them all out tonight as i am not near my computer right now.

ill keep you all up to date

Trophy Videos · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 4:56 am

Do you have an external monitor port on the laptop? If you do, try plugging in a monitor there, and switching video output to the external monitor. If it's ok, then your laptop screen is bad. If the external monitor is bad, too, then it's the video components in the motherboard, and buying a new laptop might make more sense. It's definitely a hardware problem, though.

Edit: If I was a betting man, I'd say it's a hardware problem in the higher voltage horizontal sync circuit in the laptop screen. Maybe the analog to digital converter circuit of the horizontal control. I've seen similar things in crt monitors and tv sets.

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:16 am

Try the hammer technique.

Lightly tap the top of your monitor with a claw hammer and gradually increase the intensity of each strike until the problem is solved.

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 2628

I know computer screens can be replaced.
Did it the other week for my son's.
Sent of for a screen to suit his laptop and followed the guides on youtube
A bit fiddly
But if I can do it...

edit to say I dont know if that's definetly whats wrong with it though

Not quite a Newb Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 26

Try to install new graphic card drivers.

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:55 pm

termikxs wrote:

Try to install new graphic card drivers.

I doubt this will solve the problem

I am with SH: Hardware-Problem.

Try to look in the bios if there is the same strange behaviour and/or try to put an external monitor.

Much less work than restore or trying with the drivers.

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 8:10 pm

Quote:

Lightly tap the top of your monitor with a claw hammer and gradually increase the intensity of each strike until the problem is solved.

Is that you Mom Question

her special way to deal with malfunctioning equipment, I gave her a rubber mallet to "repair" those as her steel hammer left dents Wink

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 8:59 pm

ok guys well i had no time to do any of your stuff... but then i turned it on today and VOILA!!!! it is fixed!!!!!!!!!

i have no idea what happened.... it is just fine now!

thanks for all your help (even tho i didnt use it), u guys all seem to know exactly what you are doing.

i can only hope it is better now.

thanks again

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:24 pm

Loose connection or a dry soldered joint probably.

Sorry but it'll be back. Start watching eBay for a decent replacement...

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:03 pm

I used to get something similar on my old laptop, It was because I was trying to run a game that demanded too much RAM and left the graphics card short.

A reboot always cleared it though, so I'd guess your problem is with the card itself. If/when it happens again, I'd go with what SH said and try linking it up to a spare monitor, then you'll know for sure.

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:37 pm

Quote:

It was because I was trying to run a game that demanded too much RAM and left the graphics card short

that will happen then too with a different monitor attached or not? Or am I complete off there?

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