Three vertical lines length of screen

[ceil32]

I have a Dell Inspiron 9400 XP Pro laptop

There are three vertical lines (one red, green & yellow) the length of the screen - it looks hardware related as there visible outside of the OS

Reboot doesn't fix.

Any ideas?

Thanks..

 

[vacunita]

Looks like your Video card is shot. But to be sure its not the monitor, try another monitor if the 3 lines appear then you can be pretty sure its your video card, and its time to replace it.

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[stduc]

The fault could be in the monitor, the cable or the video card.
If a different cable and monitor on the PC show the same fault - the fault lies in the video card.
If the monitor shows the fault on a different PC then the fault lies in the monitor.
If the fault follows the cable, then it has to be the cable.
The above only applies at the original refresh rate and resolution!
If you change the refresh rate or resolution and the fault goes away then that is good - but proves nothing in relation to where the problem lies!

[navy]When I married "Miss Right" I didn't realise her first name was 'always'. LOL[/navy]

 

[ceil32]

OK - it's a laptop so not the monitor or cable

I've tried changing the resolution and refresh rate and it makes no difference

I'll hook it up to a monitor and see if that points to a screen or video card problem

Cheers..

 

[stduc]

Ah - a laptop. Bummer.
Chances are that the ribbon cable - & boy are they ever a ribbon cable - about as substantial as a strip of tin foil! - that connects the screen via the lid hinge to the mobo. I suspect that it is coming out of its connector. Watch the screen as you slowly close the lid! The lines may vanish as the connector ribbon flexes.

They are not as hard to get back in as you might think - but you will have to split the case (usually the top of the laptop can be persuaded to come off for access - watch those keys!) & look for a wide(ish) cable coming from the screen - re-seat it in its connector.

Or visit a repair shop!

[navy]When I married "Miss Right" I didn't realise her first name was 'always'. LOL[/navy]

 

[ceil32]

Yeah I think thats the one - the lines marginally change size and/or disappear if as I adjust the screen up or down

I'll call Dell support and get them to talk me through it

Good man - thanks

 

[wahnula]

Oh no not Dell service!!! Most important step is connecting it to another monitor to verify if the problem is screen related or motherboard related, as you have integrated graphics.

EBay is a great source for new motherboards,

http://www.lcdparts.net

and

http://www.screentekinc.com/

are good sources for replacement parts and complete screens respectively. I wish you the best.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[stduc]

I'm 90% +++ sure that from what you have said that the cable is coming out of the socket on the motherboard. It just needs putting back. Probably the clasp (yes there is usually a clasp) was never closed properly when it was first assembled.

[navy]When I married "Miss Right" I didn't realise her first name was 'always'. LOL[/navy]

 

[wahnula]

Take a look at thread602-1472513 for the cable and its attachment that stduc is referring to...

Tony

Users helping Users...