computer problem: help me fix it and I'll give ya anything!!

[Seareach]

I don't know if anyone here can help me out but I would SO appreciate it if anyone has any ideas:

I turned on my laptop this morning and it's only showing 2/3 of the screen. That is, I can see a full window, but the rhs 3rd of it is black. Move the mouse over it and the mouse disappears. My task bar down the bottom also has the same prob but it is blue beneath the normal task bar and move the mouse over that and it elongates the mouse.

As well as all that, it seems to only be on half-light (what it looks like when I'm running the laptop off the battery).

Anyway...I've looked at all the things I think are obvious but can't fix it.

I'll probably have to pay to get it fixed, but anyone got any ideas?

[Orlion]

Holy Water

I'll call my dad tomorrow to see what it could be.

[High Lord Tolkien]

What operating system? XP?
What kind of laptop? make and model.
How old is it?
when was the last time it was "normal"
What are you wearing?
any laptop drops or bangs that you remember?
any water spills on the keyboard?
if you open the laptop to different angles does the screen issue change in any way? like get better or get worse?
if you go into safe mode does the problem go away?

to get into safe mode: as the computer is booting press and hold your "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode" and press your Enter key

If it goes away in safe mode then it's a video/software problem and a system restore might be the quickest fix.
If it doesn't then it's a hardware problem.
If it's a hardware problem it could be nothing more than a crimped wire (which is why i asked open or closing the screen made a difference) which is a cheap fix.
If it's a defective or burned out screen the cost to repair will be the same as a new laptop most likely.

[Seareach]

What operating system? XP?
What kind of laptop? make and model.
How old is it?
when was the last time it was "normal"
What are you wearing?
any laptop drops or bangs that you remember?
any water spills on the keyboard?
if you open the laptop to different angles does the screen issue change in any way? like get better or get worse?
if you go into safe mode does the problem go away?

to get into safe mode: as the computer is booting press and hold your "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode" and press your Enter key

If it goes away in safe mode then it's a video/software problem and a system restore might be the quickest fix.
If it doesn't then it's a hardware problem.
If it's a hardware problem it could be nothing more than a crimped wire (which is why i asked open or closing the screen made a difference) which is a cheap fix.
If it's a defective or burned out screen the cost to repair will be the same as a new laptop most likely.

What operating system? XP
What kind of laptop? make and model. Dell Vostron 1500
How old is it? just over a year old. CURSE YOU DELL!!
when was the last time it was "normal" last night when I turned it off
What are you wearing? a tshirt and some knickers...I got wet in the rain and had to take most of my clothes off... Why...what are *you* wearing!
any laptop drops or bangs that you remember? none at all.
any water spills on the keyboard?no
if you open the laptop to different angles does the screen issue change in any way? like get better or get worse? I tried screen rotation (ie: on the screen, not the laptop) and it just rotates it in the 2/3 of the screen. I'll go start it up again and see if closing the lid helps...and all that jazz.
if you go into safe mode does the problem go away? can't get to safe mode (see below)

added extras: when starting up the system it no longer shows a DOS screen with the windows start...it's black until it boots XP. I tried opening in safe mode but I don't get nothing at all (just a black screen).

Done a system restore but did not change problem....does that mean it's a hardware problem. <grumble> means I have to pay someone to fix it. bah!

[Seareach]

Well, closing the lid, picking it up and moving it doesn't work. There's a weird blue bar under my taskbar too. When I move the mouse cursor down to that it goes all warped.

I hate computers...and I spent so much time trying to fix my laptop this morning I've done no work and my eyes hurt from looking at it on half light.

KILL KILL KILL!

Looks like I'll have to get a tech to look at it. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[High Lord Tolkien]

Ok read this:

www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-suppo ... m-lcd.html


There.
I found the answer for you.
Now my reward.

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You join THOOLAH!

[Seareach]

Yeah...right...um...


But thanks for the link. You're a genius! I looked for a page all morning and didn't find one that sounded like my problem. But what the guy describes is exactly the same as what mine is doing.

So it doesn't look good: mine's not under warranty anymore so I won't be getting a free new LCD screen from dumb Dell!

[Elfgirl]

Sorry to hear you're having computer dramas, Sea...but you have clarified one thing for me....NEVER BUY DELL.

[Vain]

Will need a screenhot of your laptop screen and you in t-shirt and knickers to sort this one out - they may be connected...I kid you not !

I don't think it's a screen issue - I think it's a connector issue. If you can disconnet the thin plastic ribbon cable that goes from your monitor to the main board - or just wiggle it about to see if it changes the display then you'll know where the problem is

[lucimay]

STEP AWAY FROM THAT WEB CAM SEA!! he's full uh hooey!!!

yer a day late and a dollar short vain. HLT already sussed it out.

ya gotta be a little quicker on the draw 'round here.

[dlbpharmd]

What are you wearing? a tshirt and some knickers...I got wet in the rain and had to take most of my clothes off... Wink Why...what are *you* wearing! Twisted Evil

Well, I'm really pissed because HLT got more description than I usually get when I ask that question......

[dANdeLION]

yer a day late and a dollar short vain. HLT already sussed it out.

Yeah, and he gave it away for free. Proof positive that THOOLAH members are a few cards short of a deck......

[matrixman]

I think Vain is on the right track - it sounds like a connector problem to me as well. Although, the problem I had was a faulty connection between a laptop and an LCD projector at my workplace. Thought I had a broken projector on my hands until I jiggled the connector and the picture suddenly became normal.

[Seareach]

<yawn> Mornin' all. I turned my laptop on just now and...it's working today! (I don't know how many time I turned it on and off yesterday and it did NOT work). Wonders will never cease.


Anyway...thing is, Vainsome and MM: I've read about "wiggling the connector"...or was that jiggling but does this mean I actually have to take my laptop apart?

...coz that might not be a good thing...I might take it apart and NEVER get it back together again!

[matrixman]

Anyway...thing is, Vainsome and MM: I've read about "wiggling the connector"...or was that jiggling but does this mean I actually have to take my laptop apart?

...coz that might not be a good thing...I might take it apart and NEVER get it back together again!

It being a laptop, yes, I'm afraid it probably means having to take it apart. I'm no expert on laptops, but I've seen a computer tech friend of mine dismantle one and put it back together. It can certainly be a hassle getting all the fiddly parts back in their place, but it's doable.

[Seareach]

Anyway...thing is, Vainsome and MM: I've read about "wiggling the connector"...or was that jiggling but does this mean I actually have to take my laptop apart?

...coz that might not be a good thing...I might take it apart and NEVER get it back together again!

It being a laptop, yes, I'm afraid it probably means having to take it apart. I'm no expert on laptops, but I've seen a computer tech friend of mine dismantle one and put it back together. It can certainly be a hassle getting all the fiddly parts back in their place, but it's doable.

Thanks MM. Seasis' partner is pretty good with that kind of thing so I think I'll wait until I can take it down to him, and in the meantime I'll just hope the computer fairys are kind to me and that this problem was just a one off thing.

Thanks everyone for your help though. Greatly appreciated.

[Madadeva]

Glad it's working now!

What operating system? XP
What kind of laptop? make and model. Dell Vostron 1500
How old is it? just over a year old. CURSE YOU DELL!!

XP is good - Vista sucks!

Did you buy an extended support agreement? At least in the US, I always buy the 4 year onsite extended support. If you have such a contract - and it breaks again - DO NOT open the laptop up. Call support!

[High Lord Tolkien]

Thanks everyone for your help though. Greatly appreciated.

Still waiting to see the THOOLAH icon in your profile.
I'd say 2 weeks would be enough.
Remember you said "anything".

[Seareach]

XP is good - Vista sucks!

Did you buy an extended support agreement? At least in the US, I always buy the 4 year onsite extended support. If you have such a contract - and it breaks again - DO NOT open the laptop up. Call support!

Yes, I HATE vista! I noticed now that all Dell sells is systems with Vista preinstalled (unless you want to PAY for XP...bah!).

But no, I didn't buy the extended support agreement. Next time (*if* there's a next time) I will! I only had a year's warranty/support and that's expired.

I'll keep hoping that the prob is fixed for the time being (although i'm scared to turn it off in case it buggers up again).

OH! Nice to see you around, Big Bro!

Still waiting to see the THOOLAH icon in your profile.
I'd say 2 weeks would be enough.
Remember you said "anything".

<mumble grumble> Can't you ask for something else?

If I cry will you let me off.

I can't join THOOLAH! I just can't!!! OOOH! I know! Can I conscientiously object?!?!? I'll go to prison if I have to!

[Madadeva]

OH! Nice to see you around, Big Bro!

Nice to see you too Little Sis!! HUGS!!!!