Dell INSPIRON 6000 Display

I have a Dell 6000 with WXP and the diplay only shows about one third of the
screen correctly,the rest of the screen is wavy lines and patches of color.
When I hook the laptop to an externat monitor everything is fine.
This laptop has a pluggable ATI video card.My question is when attached to
the ext monitor does the signal come from the card or a motherboard circuit?
I have changed the cable from MB to lcd no help.Cant decide if the card is
bad or the LCD!

Regards RussK

<russpk111@hvc.rr.com> wrote in message news:ha22oh$aa1$1@news.albasani.net...
> I have a Dell 6000 with WXP and the diplay only shows about one third of the
> screen correctly,the rest of the screen is wavy lines and patches of color.
> When I hook the laptop to an externat monitor everything is fine.
> This laptop has a pluggable ATI video card.My question is when attached to
> the ext monitor does the signal come from the card or a motherboard circuit?
> I have changed the cable from MB to lcd no help.Cant decide if the card is
> bad or the LCD!
>
> Regards RussK

If an external monitor works fine, that would indicate a problem with the
LCD, not the video card. Although the chances of exactly 2/3 of an LCD
going bad are next to nil.

Have you tried opening the case (assuming it's no longer under warranty)
and checking for loose connections?

Although it's technically true that "If an external monitor works fine,
that would indicate a problem with the LCD, not the video card", it's
not absolute. The actual video card is ok, but the video circuitry (on
either the motherboard or a separate card) contains distinct output
drivers for the LCD and the external monitor port. The problem COULD
still be in the video card circuits, although the LCD is far more likely.

LCD displays scanned and refreshed in sections. It's not at all unusual
to find a "chuck" of the display inoperative. This can range from a
postage size section to a huge piece (more than half) of the display.


nospam@nospam.invalid wrote:

>
> If an external monitor works fine, that would indicate a problem with the
> LCD, not the video card. Although the chances of exactly 2/3 of an LCD
> going bad are next to nil.
>
> Have you tried opening the case (assuming it's no longer under warranty)
> and checking for loose connections?
>
>

[davy]

You did the correct thing in trying an external monitor, this confirms the graphic card is not the problem and the display at fault.

One common fault is the flat ribbon cable that connects the display, this being a thin plastic strip that contains silver foil as the wires and contacts, with the lid opening and shutting the cable can become dislodged within the socket or the foil can easily fracture, many a time simply removing both ends and refitting will cure problems, if the cable itself then this would have to be replaced...

... your problem could also be due to electronic component failure.

The secret in handling these cables is to remove them and insert them absolutely straight with no angular stress or the silver foil contacts will peel away and cause other problems should the short across each other inside the socket.

davy

Thanks for all the info.I have replaced the ribbon cable and that had no
effect.I have reached the conclusion that it is the LCD.Thnaks again
Russk
<russpk111@hvc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:ha22oh$aa1$1@news.albasani.net...
>I have a Dell 6000 with WXP and the diplay only shows about one third of
>the screen correctly,the rest of the screen is wavy lines and patches of
>color.
> When I hook the laptop to an externat monitor everything is fine.
> This laptop has a pluggable ATI video card.My question is when attached to
> the ext monitor does the signal come from the card or a motherboard
> circuit?
> I have changed the cable from MB to lcd no help.Cant decide if the card is
> bad or the LCD!
>
> Regards RussK
>

[davy]

As said it could be other things as well, the ribbon cable can be known to create faults, the only thing left is the graphic card as Barry said... one of them things were you are going to 'try by swapping'... if you can borrow a card so well and good... you can bet your bottom dollar you go out and buy one it'll be something else.

Would the best best be to take it in for repair? Note, should you send it back to the makers do keep a copy of any important files in case you don't get the same machine back.

davy