Video problem

[ers1121]

I'm working on an IBM R51 Model 2888 w/XP Pro. The problem is a very dim screen during post, after that no screen at all. I connected to an external monitor and it worked fine during post & when the Windows logo came up, after that all black on both the LCD & the external monitor. I tried using a boot cd & the video worked fine it seems it is only when Windows starts. I know that the OS is loading because if I let it sit for a few minutes & enter the password the Windows sounds play & the AV sounds load. I'm stumped, any ideas? This does this in safe mode also.
Ed

[DanF]

Did you ask your client if he did something before he started to get the problem. Maybe some nasty software? Not sure though, as it's the first thing that came to mind since it doesn't look like a hardware issue and Windows does not load drivers when in safe mode. I'd update the drivers nonetheless, just to make sure (and it's 2am lol).

[ers1121]

I did run UBCD4Win to check for viruses & malware but found very little. When it first came in I did get a very dim screen when Windows loaded, You needed a flashlight to see it. I looked at the device manager and there were the yellow exclamation points next to the video controller. I tried to update the driver but it said there were no newer ones available. Now there is only a dim screen during post, although the external monitor works fine. After post there is no video on the LCD or the external monitor.
Ed

[nonchalant]

Sounds like the vid card is in its death throes...

[ers1121]

Thats what I was thinking, of course they are not replaceable on a laptop, correct?
Ed

[geekhelp4u]

Thats what I was thinking, of course they are not replaceable on a laptop, correct?
Ed

On some laptops they are replaceable. On that particular machine, I think it uses an intel chipset that is integrated on the motherboard. If so, replacing the card would require replacing the motherboard as well.

[ers1121]

Thanks, that's what I thought. the customer bought a few of these refurbished a few years ago. With the price of new ones today I don't feel it's worth fixing.
Ed

[thor999]

Check around, you may find someone that has a stencil kit for that particular mobo and can just get it reballed. Its usually the solder points coming unbridged that causes failures in mobo components (not upgradeable parts, obviously).

[nj_computer_repair]

If video works when you put the XP install disk in, I would re-install windows. If you already installed windows, then maybe you can take one of his other laptops and swap out the video card / mobo unless the laptops all work - then it wouldn't really be worth it.

On most Dell laptops that I work on, the video card is always replaceable - they plug into the motherboard (not soldered)