Computers Need help. Computer has epilepsy

-King- · 11:31 PM

Wtf is going on? There was no warning to this. Was using my laptop when this started with no warning.

Laptop is a HP dv7-3173nr. I've restarted it a few times and it still flashes colors. Unplugged and replugged the lcd monitor. Nothing.

Posted via Mobile Device

**patteeu** · 11-24-2012, 11:40 AM

Video card gone bad, maybe?

**DaFace** · 11-24-2012, 11:45 AM

Sounds like a definite hardware issue to me. Just to make sure, though, does it flash from the moment you turn it on (at the logo screen and while Windows is loading), or does it only start flashing once you boot into Windows?

Assuming it's doing it the whole time (which I suspect is the case), it's a hardware issue that isn't going to be easy to fix. It could be the screen itself (or various components of it), or it could be the video card. It probably just depends on what the laptop is worth whether you want to try and fix it.

If you decide it's not worth fixing, you can always buy an external monitor and turn it into a desktop.

Sorry that I don't have any great news for you.

-King- · 11-24-2012, 01:57 PM

Turned it off and let it sit for about 10 hrs without charging and without the battery and it's working now.

I bought this laptop in 2010, so it's had a good run if I need to get a new one.

**TrebMaxx** · 11-24-2012, 04:15 PM

Could be heat related. Check your vents and fans for dust bunnies.

ElGringo · 11-24-2012, 04:47 PM

I currently use a HP dv4-1224la and had a problem like this at one point, or at least as I recall it started this way. It only seemed to happen when the computer was warm, so could be the same problem. Eventually the monitor went what I thought was completely out and was in fear of replacing the whole thing. With a little research I have learned that at least for my model it is a faulty cable. If the problem comes back can you connect an external monitor and see if that external monitor has the same problem. The way I fix mine (don't have the skill to replace the cable myself) is very simple, basically a pinch/slight lift on the left side of the monitor. The other things I have heard is opening the screen more than 90° when turning it on or waking it up.

ralphmayer · 11-28-2012, 10:21 PM

Call the doctor of your epileptic PC.

-King- · 11-28-2012, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrebMaxx

Could be heat related. Check your vents and fans for dust bunnies.

I think this was the problem. I'm getting some compressed air to try to clean out the vents tomorrow.

And I just noticed that the video didn't show up in the OP. He it is

**DaFace** · 11-29-2012, 09:48 PM

Weird - that looks like some sort of test pattern. If that's the case, that'd point to the video card more than the screen I think.

Lumpy · 11-29-2012, 09:54 PM

**Pestilence** · 11-30-2012, 09:49 AM

Epilepsy? Really?

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 11-30-2012, 10:36 AM

could be a bad vid card, or a bad ribbon cable.

11-23-2012, 07:03 PM
-King- °°°°°°°°°° Join Date: Jan 2009 Casino cash: $60873	Need help. Computer has epilepsy Wtf is going on? There was no warning to this. Was using my laptop when this started with no warning. Laptop is a HP dv7-3173nr. I've restarted it a few times and it still flashes colors. Unplugged and replugged the lcd monitor. Nothing. Posted via Mobile Device Last edited by -King-; 11-28-2012 at 11:31 PM..
Posts: 30,846

11-24-2012, 11:40 AM	#2
patteeu The 23rd Pillar Join Date: Sep 2002 Casino cash: $416715	Video card gone bad, maybe? __________________ Obamacare’s fix for an American health care system that the federal government long ago broke, is to give the federal government far more power over American health care; that its solution to escalating health costs is to mandate greater health benefits (and, hence, higher costs); and that its solution to the pricey overreliance on pre-paid health plans — offered by insurance companies in lieu of real insurance — is to have the government require Americans to buy those pre-paid health plans under penalty of law.
Posts: 67,142

11-24-2012, 11:45 AM	#3
DaFace Version 3.0 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $627491	Sounds like a definite hardware issue to me. Just to make sure, though, does it flash from the moment you turn it on (at the logo screen and while Windows is loading), or does it only start flashing once you boot into Windows? Assuming it's doing it the whole time (which I suspect is the case), it's a hardware issue that isn't going to be easy to fix. It could be the screen itself (or various components of it), or it could be the video card. It probably just depends on what the laptop is worth whether you want to try and fix it. If you decide it's not worth fixing, you can always buy an external monitor and turn it into a desktop. Sorry that I don't have any great news for you.
Posts: 24,119

11-24-2012, 01:57 PM	#4
-King- °°°°°°°°°° Join Date: Jan 2009 Casino cash: $60873	Turned it off and let it sit for about 10 hrs without charging and without the battery and it's working now. I bought this laptop in 2010, so it's had a good run if I need to get a new one. __________________
Posts: 30,846

11-24-2012, 04:15 PM	#5
TrebMaxx Postaphobic Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Peoples Republic of CoMo Casino cash: $263670	Could be heat related. Check your vents and fans for dust bunnies. __________________
Posts: 2,662

11-24-2012, 04:47 PM	#6
ElGringo Veteran Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Vicente, Nayarit, Mex Casino cash: $1073145	I currently use a HP dv4-1224la and had a problem like this at one point, or at least as I recall it started this way. It only seemed to happen when the computer was warm, so could be the same problem. Eventually the monitor went what I thought was completely out and was in fear of replacing the whole thing. With a little research I have learned that at least for my model it is a faulty cable. If the problem comes back can you connect an external monitor and see if that external monitor has the same problem. The way I fix mine (don't have the skill to replace the cable myself) is very simple, basically a pinch/slight lift on the left side of the monitor. The other things I have heard is opening the screen more than 90° when turning it on or waking it up.
Posts: 1,175

11-28-2012, 10:21 PM	#7
ralphmayer Rookie Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $530	Call the doctor of your epileptic PC.
Posts: 1

11-29-2012, 09:48 PM	#9
DaFace Version 3.0 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $627491	Weird - that looks like some sort of test pattern. If that's the case, that'd point to the video card more than the screen I think.
Posts: 24,119

11-29-2012, 09:54 PM	#10
Lumpy MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $3404
Posts: 8,748

11-30-2012, 09:49 AM	#11
Pestilence Wanna go for a ride? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nor-Cal Casino cash: $77569142	Epilepsy? Really?
Posts: 36,512

11-30-2012, 10:36 AM	#12
mikeyis4dcats. Scarlett Johansson's boytoy Join Date: Nov 2006 Casino cash: $42077	could be a bad vid card, or a bad ribbon cable. __________________ Originally Posted by KC_Connection I am a pillowbiter.
Posts: 8,646

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