Blank Screen

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a pet rock

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So, sometimes while I've been playing on my laptop the screen will go completely blank. I know it's still on and everything's running, I can hear the fan, all the lights are going, but no visual. My only idea is that if the GPU is over-heating it just turns off. But, I don't know if that would actually ever happen, it's really a guess.

If it's not that, any other ideas? I hope the card isn't dieing, it's just over a year old.

Windows 64-bit Vista
AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core ZM-80 2.10GHz
ATI Radeon HD 3200
4.00GB RAM
 
It's possible that it's overheating. Do you have it sitting on your lap, or do you have it sitting on your desk? If it's still under warranty, I highly suggest talking to the laptop manufacturer.
 
Another thought / question: When your screen goes blank, can you still see the letters faintly? Take your screen and lean it far back and see if you see faint outlines of what's supposed to be displayed. If you can, then it's most likely your display's ballast going out on you.

If you are feeling heat at the ballast (usually at the bottom or sides of the display) it may need to be replaced. This is an easy procedure and a cheap fix (if you're comfortable taking apart your laptop). If you cannot see any faint outlines when your screen goes blank, then you can assume that the ballast is NOT the issue.

Also, have you tried an external display? Most laptops have an external display attachment and a set of hot-keys to activate it. This will also help you determine if your GPU is shutting off or it's the display matrix itself.

Finally, DUST, DUST, DUST! Temperature problems caused by excessive dust build-up are quite common. Again, this will require you to take your laptop apart. If you are uncomfortable taking your laptop apart, you are more than welcome to ship it to my shop.

All services for eGO members are free at my shop. All you need to pay for are parts and shipping! (Really cheap to ship a laptop, btw)

I hope this helps you! Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you!
 
Is your OS up to date. There've been reports that the latest windows update will cause "The black screen of death''

MS is trying to fix as we speak.
 
Do you still have audio, to the point that it's like a broken record, just repeating the same thing over and over?
 
Yeah its overheating.That use to be with my old laptop but my new laptop has something on the bottom to let breath.:D so its like never hot ;D
 
I think it's over-heating. Sometimes, the keys get so hot they burn my fingers =O. I can't see the faint outlines and right now I've figured out something super-ghettofied that's working pretty well. I've got my laptop propped up so the fan on the bottom has more room to move air. I haven't had the screen shut off since I've started this prop. I'm guessing I either need to dust or look for a new fan.

A side thought: Why put the fan in a place where it can't move air?
 
A small suggestion, if not already purchased. Look into a cooling pad for your size laptop... I find a $20 investment cools my laptop an additional 10C, all it does it ensure proper and cooler airflow to the intake fan. Yet it does the trick for me and keeps my laptop within acceptable temps.
 
a pet rock said:
I think it's over-heating. Sometimes, the keys get so hot they burn my fingers =O. I can't see the faint outlines and right now I've figured out something super-ghettofied that's working pretty well. I've got my laptop propped up so the fan on the bottom has more room to move air. I haven't had the screen shut off since I've started this prop. I'm guessing I either need to dust or look for a new fan.

A side thought: Why put the fan in a place where it can't move air?
Click to expand...

I'd say it wasn't an exact science, but that really is.

Who makes/distributes your laptop?
 
Hewlitt-Packard HP. It's a pretty damn good laptop considering it was under 1k. The only thing I'm not happy about is the GPU because it's integrated, but not much I could do there.

"Dad, can I tack an extra $200 onto the laptop for a better graphics card?"
"What's that for?"
"Video Games."
"Hell no."


Also, what's this about a cooling platform? Haven't heard of or seen this before.
 
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