PDA

View Full Version : Laptop video issue


VR4Rob
10-23-2006, 03:03 PM
My laptop is being very strange about when it wants to show video, as it is very inconsistent.

1. Video ALWAYS shows up on startup (i.e. boot screens, etc always show up)
2. The problem is when Windows XP boots up, there is no video displayed on the panel but everything else runs and starts normally.
3. I know that everything runs normally because I can either plug in my flat panel monitor to get video or run the S-Video out to my TV to see what's going on.
4. I can boot Windows in safe mode and I will ALWAYS get video on startup.

Background:
1. The computer has had this problem for a while, but usually I could just restart it a few times and video would come up.
2. Recently my laptop got the "Unmountable boot volume" error on startup. I ran the appropriate things to fix it.
3. After fixing this problem, everything seemed fine. Everytime XP booted the computer, video would be displayed.
4. Last night this problem came back after I closed the laptop and it went into "sleep" mode. After I tried to turn it back on, no video was displayed. I restarted ~20 times and still no dice.

Other info
1. Laptop is a Dell Inspiron 9100.
2. Video card is a 64mb ATI Mobility Radeon 9700

I'm a stumped. I am sure it's not a hardware issue as I've narrowed down the problem to being ONLY when XP boots up. Any suggestions??

Grider
10-23-2006, 04:14 PM
How old is it and how much stuff is on it?

Also you checked your video drivers for a newer version?

Video drivers are one of the biggest pain in the asses IMHO with XP; from my expereince when they get trashed, the easiest way to get a system back working "right" is to reload the damn thing.

VR4Rob
10-23-2006, 04:57 PM
How old is it and how much stuff is on it?

Also you checked your video drivers for a newer version?

Video drivers are one of the biggest pain in the asses IMHO with XP; from my expereince when they get trashed, the easiest way to get a system back working "right" is to reload the damn thing.
I've checked for new versions of the drivers as far as I can tell but the Dell site is very confusing (go figure.) As far as I know, everything is current. Since I fixed the "unmountable boot volume" error its definately been better. The only time I really seem to run into a problem is when I close the laptop and it goes to "sleep." I suppose I could check ATIs site to check for more drivers...

Obike
10-23-2006, 06:09 PM
I actually had that problem on my Acer, upgrading the video drivers fixed it.

*EDIT* Download drivers from www.ati.com