Dell Notebook computer question

**Manila-Chief** · 11-26-2004, 10:55 PM

Sorry, guys I'm not as expressive as Jenny!!!

Hi Guys,

Haven't been able to read your great stuff lately coz having problems with my:

Inspiron 8200, Pentium 4, 1.8 GHz, 15in UltraSharp UXGA

I bought it 2/17/03

I have been using it connected to a monitor and kept the LCD screen turned off for a couple of months. Last time I tried it the LCD worked well.

Wed. I closed it down - unconnected it -- placed it in my paded case on the waterbed --- took it to church -- after prayer meeting -- took it out and turned it on with battery power -- the screen was black --- so, I hit the "Fn" & "F-8 CRT" keys at the same time expecting it to switch from monitor to LCD screen --- no dice --- so, I thought the LCD was out and it would work on the monitor -- NOPE!!!! Not even with the power cord connected.

I've turned it on several times --- could see nothing ... the cpu worked fine ... could see by the lights and sound that it worked great.

Then a few minutes ago I turned it on again and noticed a faint outline on the screen -- couldn't see it in the dark, either, -- then pluged it to the monitor and walla --- can see it on the monitor..... I prayed and maybe it is a real Praise the Lord????

But, I will not be able to use it this week-end at the retreat that I am responsible for leading coz can't see the screen.

Any words of wisdom?

Yep, I know now I made a mistake. I bought it instead of a Toshiba coz the HD speed is 7200 instead of the 5400 the Toshiba has. But, I know where the Toshiba service center is located .... about 20 minutes from here depending upon traffic. The salesman said Dell has a center in Manila, but I haven't found it.

I wrote them Wed. night ... they auto reply said ... we normally reply in 6 to 12 hours ... but we are doing some repair and it maybe 24 hours. Yep, you guessed it .... it is Sat. afternoon here and still no email from Dell.

Thanks,

Gerry

**Bob Dole** · 11-26-2004, 11:13 PM

Have you tried going to the desktop and right-clicking, choosing Properites, then the Settings tab, and setting it back to the default monitor?

**Manila-Chief** · 11-26-2004, 11:29 PM

Thanks Bob! I'll try it when I get a couple files on a disk so I can use them this week-end.

Afraid I may lose the abiltiy for the monitor to work????

unlurking · 11-27-2004, 08:59 AM

Just 2 quick things that pop into mind to check:

1. In the BIOS, there should be a setting that enables monitor preference. Depending on the BIOS, the verbiage could be a few different things, but in practice, it specifies monitor choice with 3 options of external, internal, or both. Ensure that you are set to both, and not just external.

2. There should be 2 other FN keys for adjusting LCD brightness. Continuosly press the brightness increase several times to make sure that the internal LCD brightness setting is not very low.

Remember: Try and do this with the the lid open WHILE connected to your external LCD at the same time for #1 (as you obviously can't see the screen to edit BIOS). Once #1 is accomplished and the system is booting, perform #2. If nothing is happening use FN F* to switch to the internal monito (leave external connected) and try #2 again. Some systems won't change the current internal LCD brighntess setting when the internal LC is not on. In theory, your laptop FN F8 monitor selection has 3 settings:

external enabled
internal enabled
both enabled

So when your extenal LCD goes blank, your internal LCD should at that point be hardware enabled and any hardware changes (LCD brighntess is an internal system setting (non-software) ) should take affect.

Don't know if that helps, but worth a shot if Bob_Dole's suggestion doesn't work. If not, may be a hardware issue.

**Manila-Chief** · 11-27-2004, 09:23 AM

Hey man I'm sure glad you are not just lurking this morning!!!

Starting tomorrow afternoon (It's 11:24 P.M. here now) I have to lead a retreat that I'm not prepared for ... so I have printed this and will try it when I get home on Tuesday!!!

**jAZ** · 11-27-2004, 09:59 AM

Unfortunately I don't have any particularly useful input on the topic at hand, but I will say that I've had my Dell Laptop (Inspiron 8000) for almost 4 years now. I've been very, very satisfied with it, but that is in large part due to the fact that I got the full 3-year inhome warranty with it.

I never do that with desktops, because I can't fix them on the cheap myself... but with the wear and tear that a typical laptop goes through, I strongly recommend paying the extra 200 or whatever for that extended warranty.

Carry on, and I hope your display comes back into full function.

**Manila-Chief** · 11-27-2004, 11:13 AM

Jaz,

I fully agree about the warranty ... except I brought it here to Manila and don't think it would have been worth the money...

I'm really relieved that I got the monitor to work. At least I can get to my material and put it on a CD so I can use it on the antique Toshiba....

I'm not going to carry my newer Dell on the retreat. Will not take a chance with it...

Catch you guys on Tuesday!!!

cron912 · 11-27-2004, 04:36 PM

Another possibility is the switch that detects when the lid is closed (so it can go into sleep/hibernate mode) isn't working right. I have an Inspiron 1100 that does that on occasion, and looking at the screen at certain angle, you can see it faintly. I just close the lid then reopen, and it will generally come back on. Also, I turned off the ability for it to go into sleep mode when the lid is closed.

11-26-2004, 10:55 PM
Manila-Chief Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Memphis/Miss Casino cash: $10006883	Dell Notebook computer question Sorry, guys I'm not as expressive as Jenny!!! Hi Guys, Haven't been able to read your great stuff lately coz having problems with my: Inspiron 8200, Pentium 4, 1.8 GHz, 15in UltraSharp UXGA I bought it 2/17/03 I have been using it connected to a monitor and kept the LCD screen turned off for a couple of months. Last time I tried it the LCD worked well. Wed. I closed it down - unconnected it -- placed it in my paded case on the waterbed --- took it to church -- after prayer meeting -- took it out and turned it on with battery power -- the screen was black --- so, I hit the "Fn" & "F-8 CRT" keys at the same time expecting it to switch from monitor to LCD screen --- no dice --- so, I thought the LCD was out and it would work on the monitor -- NOPE!!!! Not even with the power cord connected. I've turned it on several times --- could see nothing ... the cpu worked fine ... could see by the lights and sound that it worked great. Then a few minutes ago I turned it on again and noticed a faint outline on the screen -- couldn't see it in the dark, either, -- then pluged it to the monitor and walla --- can see it on the monitor..... I prayed and maybe it is a real Praise the Lord???? But, I will not be able to use it this week-end at the retreat that I am responsible for leading coz can't see the screen. Any words of wisdom? Yep, I know now I made a mistake. I bought it instead of a Toshiba coz the HD speed is 7200 instead of the 5400 the Toshiba has. But, I know where the Toshiba service center is located .... about 20 minutes from here depending upon traffic. The salesman said Dell has a center in Manila, but I haven't found it. I wrote them Wed. night ... they auto reply said ... we normally reply in 6 to 12 hours ... but we are doing some repair and it maybe 24 hours. Yep, you guessed it .... it is Sat. afternoon here and still no email from Dell. Thanks, Gerry
Posts: 2,152

11-26-2004, 11:29 PM	#3
Manila-Chief Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Memphis/Miss Casino cash: $10006883	Thanks Bob! I'll try it when I get a couple files on a disk so I can use them this week-end. Afraid I may lose the abiltiy for the monitor to work????
Posts: 2,152

11-27-2004, 08:59 AM	#4
unlurking MVP Join Date: Aug 2003 Casino cash: $7737309	Just 2 quick things that pop into mind to check: 1. In the BIOS, there should be a setting that enables monitor preference. Depending on the BIOS, the verbiage could be a few different things, but in practice, it specifies monitor choice with 3 options of external, internal, or both. Ensure that you are set to both, and not just external. 2. There should be 2 other FN keys for adjusting LCD brightness. Continuosly press the brightness increase several times to make sure that the internal LCD brightness setting is not very low. Remember: Try and do this with the the lid open WHILE connected to your external LCD at the same time for #1 (as you obviously can't see the screen to edit BIOS). Once #1 is accomplished and the system is booting, perform #2. If nothing is happening use FN F* to switch to the internal monito (leave external connected) and try #2 again. Some systems won't change the current internal LCD brighntess setting when the internal LC is not on. In theory, your laptop FN F8 monitor selection has 3 settings: external enabled internal enabled both enabled So when your extenal LCD goes blank, your internal LCD should at that point be hardware enabled and any hardware changes (LCD brighntess is an internal system setting (non-software) ) should take affect. Don't know if that helps, but worth a shot if Bob_Dole's suggestion doesn't work. If not, may be a hardware issue.
Posts: 10,620

11-27-2004, 09:23 AM	#5
Manila-Chief Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Memphis/Miss Casino cash: $10006883	Hey man I'm sure glad you are not just lurking this morning!!! Starting tomorrow afternoon (It's 11:24 P.M. here now) I have to lead a retreat that I'm not prepared for ... so I have printed this and will try it when I get home on Tuesday!!!
Posts: 2,152

11-27-2004, 09:59 AM	#6
jAZ Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Casino cash: $9847493	Unfortunately I don't have any particularly useful input on the topic at hand, but I will say that I've had my Dell Laptop (Inspiron 8000) for almost 4 years now. I've been very, very satisfied with it, but that is in large part due to the fact that I got the full 3-year inhome warranty with it. I never do that with desktops, because I can't fix them on the cheap myself... but with the wear and tear that a typical laptop goes through, I strongly recommend paying the extra 200 or whatever for that extended warranty. Carry on, and I hope your display comes back into full function.
Posts: 24,799

11-26-2004, 11:13 PM	#2
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $2444497	Have you tried going to the desktop and right-clicking, choosing Properites, then the Settings tab, and setting it back to the default monitor?
Posts: 48,622

11-27-2004, 11:13 AM	#7
Manila-Chief Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Memphis/Miss Casino cash: $10006883	Jaz, I fully agree about the warranty ... except I brought it here to Manila and don't think it would have been worth the money... I'm really relieved that I got the monitor to work. At least I can get to my material and put it on a CD so I can use it on the antique Toshiba.... I'm not going to carry my newer Dell on the retreat. Will not take a chance with it... Catch you guys on Tuesday!!!
Posts: 2,152

11-27-2004, 04:36 PM	#8
cron912 Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kansas Casino cash: $6551856	Another possibility is the switch that detects when the lid is closed (so it can go into sleep/hibernate mode) isn't working right. I have an Inspiron 1100 that does that on occasion, and looking at the screen at certain angle, you can see it faintly. I just close the lid then reopen, and it will generally come back on. Also, I turned off the ability for it to go into sleep mode when the lid is closed.
Posts: 183