I’m still a novice laptop user, and mine decided today that it was tired of showing me things on its display.
Gateway MX6448, Windows XP MCE (not that I think that matters).
Failure occurred when I tried to bring the laptop back from screen saver mode . It was plugged in, and I don’t have it set to suspend or hibernate except when on battery power, so I know it was just regular screen saver (i.e., screen turned off) mode. The entire screen lights up with a sort of very light gray all over. I was able to WinKey, U, U to shut it down, so I know the OS was functioning fine behind whatever caused the video problem (I was also able to bring the OS back up after shutting down, verified via s-video out to TV).
After rebooting, the display shows the problem as soon as what would normally be the Gateway splash screen comes up, further evidence that the OS isn’t involved.
I’m willing to try about anything but soldering connections, so bring on the suggestions.
If you un-hook the laptop from the TV, what does the on-board LCD display?
If the display is the same (or some other variety of bad), it’s probably a hardware problem. In this case, based on my experience with IBM laptops, the planar (or the equivalent part) or the motherboard probably needs replacing.
I had a dell that would do similar things when hooked to an external video source.
The monitor would be shut off, to turn it back on required (IIRC) Ctrl + a function key. F8 is I am not mistaken. Look at the descriptions on the function keys. There should be one with a picto-gram of a monitor.
Again from memory the cycle went:
Laptop screen
both laptop and external monitor
External only.
Close to what Rick said, my wife’s Toshiba laptop has an Fn key. That can be used to switch between the display modes as described above: internal display, external or both.
The F1-F10 function keys have small pictograms to indicate what mode you are selecting.
Good suggestions, alas this problem is completely independent of the external monitor connection. I’ve cycled through the Fn-key settings for external VGA monitor (the 3-way built-in/external/both cycle) and there is no effect on this problem at all. The above-mentioned s-video connection was tried after the problem started and likewise had no effect…
In that case, you should contact Gateway tech support or a computer repair shop so that they can take a look at it. If it is not under warranty anymore, you may be better off buying a new laptop.
If you want to do it yourself:
I don’t know if soldering is part of the replacement, but it would involve completely taking the laptop apart.
If you can find the right parts, they may be expensive. IBM was asking about 500 CAD for a refurbished (not new) motherboard last time we checked. I have no idea how much a planar would cost.
Except in a handful of situations laptop mobo replacements are not cost effective. IF we are talking $400 to fix a $1600 current laptop…fine, but if you are talking a 2-3 year old $800 machine you will probably be happier with a new $800 machine.
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You could also try a hardware reset. Gateways support pages do not list a hardware reset button for this model but maybe the picture isn’t clear enough to tell. Usually there will be a small hole on the bottom of the laptop with the power symbol near it. It looks like “C-”. First remove the battery. Then remove anything connected to laptop as well as CDs or pc cards. With the laptop powered down, unhooked, battery removed, and all media removed look for hardware reset on the bottom of the laptop. If you find it then insert a paper clip till you feel a click. Hold this for 30 seconds. If you can’t find a hardware reset button then hold down the power key for 60 seconds. Insert the battery and hook up the power cord. Turn it on and check.
I would also try hooking an external monitor up to the VGA port on the rear. The service costs for LCD repair and replacement are crazy high. This should tell you if its the internal video chip or the LCD itself. It will also give you the option of leaving the laptop hooked up to an external monitor.
I’ll look into those various hardware suggestions.
Realizing that it may be false hope, I did find this page which suggests that reseating the connection might do it. I opened the laptop up when it was brand new to install more RAM, but this will be my first time going this extensively into it’s innards.
Does the laptop have a little “stem” near the hinge that gets depressed when the lid is closed? If so, tap it or wiggle it and see if the display comes back, even briefly. If it does, then your back light is ok. I’ve had this happen to an HP laptop before and their tech support guy told me it was caused by static electricity. He walked me through a series of steps to fix it. It involved removing the battery and power cord, and restarting with the power cord only while holding down a specific key. Unfortunately it was a while ago and I don;t remember what key, and it was probably manufacturer specific anyway.
I think my cover closure switch is magnetic on this laptop, but I’ll double check that. Also, there’s no problem with the backlight: it’s just that the screen is one solid light gray color.
You are going to be doing some serious digging IME, sometimes you lift off the keyboard and its there…sometimes…you end up with a huge disassembly process.
