[SOLVED] Problem with VGN-FW285D...

eiankei · 03-01-2009, 01:16 PM

Hey guyz,
I have had this laptop for two months but recently, I'm having a strange problem! Colors on monitor go wrong after a while & they become correct again! I have some kind of blue color on everything when it happens.
Here's the picture taken from laptop, you can see the blue colors!

Computer Specs:
Centrino2 2.26Ghz
4Gb of Ram
ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 HD
Windows Vista Home Premium x64 Edition

Help me please!
Thanks in advance!

**TriggerFinger** · 03-01-2009, 06:31 PM

Try with an external monitor and see if it shows the same problem. Also try to update your chipset and video drivers. Post back what you find out..

eiankei · 03-02-2009, 11:29 AM

Thanks for helping me! I checked with an external monitor & everything was fine! I updated my video card driver last night but it was no help!

eiankei · 03-02-2009, 12:19 PM

It comes & goes randomly! Changing brightness make it disappear sometimes too! But today it looks more persistence...

**TriggerFinger** · 03-02-2009, 12:26 PM

Did you update your chipset drivers too?

eiankei · 03-02-2009, 01:17 PM

Yeah, it was the latest driver but I reinstalled it.
Could it be because of environment?! It seems that moving it to different places changes the amount of occurrences...

**TriggerFinger** · 03-02-2009, 01:54 PM

I am not so sure if environment can add/cause to the problem. IMHO if it works well with the external monitor then it could be the video cable or the LCD itself.

I want to know if this discoloration ALWAYS come out when you use the laptop? If yes, how long from startup does it usually come out? Also, does it fix itself on its own? How about if you move the LCD screen/lid, does the discoloration change like it's getting worse?

Check also your temps, use SpeedFan or similar and observe the temps. Note down the temperature when the discoloration starts.

I suggest you try Ubuntu or Knoppix in a live CD (no need to install) and observe if you get the same symptom.

Post back how it goes... doing the suggestion would help narrow down the possibilities.

eiankei · 03-02-2009, 02:06 PM

It doesn't come out always, it comes out randomly for example I haven't seen it for last 30 minutes now & yes, it fixes itself on it's own or sometimes it gets fixed when I change the resolution or brightness of LCD, but not always! It could start anytime, once it happened as soon as I started the computer another time it didn't happen at all.
It doesn't make any difference when I open & close the lid, it remains the same!
I will monitor the temps, use linux & report asap!

**TriggerFinger** · 03-02-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eiankei

It doesn't come out always, it comes out randomly for example I haven't seen it for last 30 minutes now & yes, it fixes itself on it's own or sometimes it gets fixed when I change the resolution or brightness of LCD, -- could be drivers or LCD screen or even the video card. If it is random may be that is the reason you did not get the same discoloration on the external monitor.

but not always! It could start anytime, once it happened as soon as I started the computer another time it didn't happen at all. -- may or may not be temperature related but checking the temps would surely help.

It doesn't make any difference when I open & close the lid, it remains the same! -- so definitely not a loose video cable problem. My money is on the LCD. On the other hand since this is intermittent in nature, it could also be your video card. If you want to stress test your video card try this one here:
http://freestone-group.com/video-car...ility-test.htm

I will monitor the temps, use linux & report asap!

eiankei · 03-04-2009, 12:35 PM

The benchmark test was ok & around 33 but stress test won't run more than 7 seconds & terminates with an error related to DirectX10

**TriggerFinger** · 03-04-2009, 12:40 PM

Did it show the exact error?

eiankei · 03-05-2009, 01:38 PM

Actually it says "The display driver has stopped responding & recovered". If I don't press terminate the laptop will go into BSOD!

**TriggerFinger** · 03-05-2009, 01:47 PM

Safe Mode works? If yes, I suggest you reinstall video drivers and also DirectX.

eiankei · 03-07-2009, 02:43 PM

I did reinstall video drivers, chipset driver & there was a USB patch on Sony website, the problem seemed to be gone at least during last two days but it came out of nowhere once again...
EDIT-- I got the idea that moving the laptop causes this problem!

**TriggerFinger** · 03-07-2009, 09:47 PM

About the problem being caused by any movements on the laptop... were you able to simulate this?

eiankei · 03-08-2009, 05:00 AM

I'm getting an idea, I don't know if it's true or not! I have a Nokia N85 which seems to be somehow related to this problem! When ever I move this laptop somewhere near the phone it discoloration comes out but when I move it to a place further, it takes sometimes before it get fixes! But I'm still not sure whether it's just a thought or the real deal...!!!

**TriggerFinger** · 03-08-2009, 10:45 AM

In my personal experience, I noticed that distortion on my laptop LCD happens when my phone rings and it is near my laptop.

You should try to simulate it. Put the phone on the same desk as your laptop. Observe the laptop's LCD if there's any effect like discoloration or distortion.

eiankei · 03-10-2009, 03:09 PM

Ok! I'm again not sure how it happens but I'm sure that when I hold "Fn" button, it will go away!

eiankei · 03-11-2009, 01:23 PM

It's not just "FN" button! It goes away when I press any of left-bottom keys! (Left CTRL,Left Shift,Fn,Windows button, left half of Space,Z!!!) Do you think there's something wrong with hardware?!

**TriggerFinger** · 03-11-2009, 01:39 PM

There is only one way to find out... open it up and see what is under those keys that you said earlier. It could be the video chip or may be a cable that needs to be seated securely.

03-01-2009, 01:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
eiankei Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 61 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate	[SOLVED] Problem with VGN-FW285D... Hey guyz, I have had this laptop for two months but recently, I'm having a strange problem! Colors on monitor go wrong after a while & they become correct again! I have some kind of blue color on everything when it happens. Here's the picture taken from laptop, you can see the blue colors! Computer Specs: Centrino2 2.26Ghz 4Gb of Ram ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 HD Windows Vista Home Premium x64 Edition Help me please! Thanks in advance! Last edited by eiankei; 03-01-2009 at 01:18 PM.

03-01-2009, 06:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... Try with an external monitor and see if it shows the same problem. Also try to update your chipset and video drivers. Post back what you find out.. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

03-02-2009, 11:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
eiankei Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 61 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... Thanks for helping me! I checked with an external monitor & everything was fine! I updated my video card driver last night but it was no help!

03-02-2009, 12:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
eiankei Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 61 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... It comes & goes randomly! Changing brightness make it disappear sometimes too! But today it looks more persistence...

03-02-2009, 12:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... Did you update your chipset drivers too? __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

03-02-2009, 01:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
eiankei Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 61 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... Yeah, it was the latest driver but I reinstalled it. Could it be because of environment?! It seems that moving it to different places changes the amount of occurrences... Last edited by eiankei; 03-02-2009 at 01:22 PM.

03-02-2009, 01:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... I am not so sure if environment can add/cause to the problem. IMHO if it works well with the external monitor then it could be the video cable or the LCD itself. I want to know if this discoloration ALWAYS come out when you use the laptop? If yes, how long from startup does it usually come out? Also, does it fix itself on its own? How about if you move the LCD screen/lid, does the discoloration change like it's getting worse? Check also your temps, use SpeedFan or similar and observe the temps. Note down the temperature when the discoloration starts. I suggest you try Ubuntu or Knoppix in a live CD (no need to install) and observe if you get the same symptom. Post back how it goes... doing the suggestion would help narrow down the possibilities. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

03-02-2009, 02:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
eiankei Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 61 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... It doesn't come out always, it comes out randomly for example I haven't seen it for last 30 minutes now & yes, it fixes itself on it's own or sometimes it gets fixed when I change the resolution or brightness of LCD, but not always! It could start anytime, once it happened as soon as I started the computer another time it didn't happen at all. It doesn't make any difference when I open & close the lid, it remains the same! I will monitor the temps, use linux & report asap!

03-04-2009, 12:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
eiankei Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 61 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... The benchmark test was ok & around 33 but stress test won't run more than 7 seconds & terminates with an error related to DirectX10

03-04-2009, 12:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... Did it show the exact error? __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

03-05-2009, 01:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
eiankei Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 61 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... Actually it says "The display driver has stopped responding & recovered". If I don't press terminate the laptop will go into BSOD!

03-05-2009, 01:47 PM	#13 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... Safe Mode works? If yes, I suggest you reinstall video drivers and also DirectX. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE Last edited by TriggerFinger; 03-05-2009 at 01:48 PM.

03-07-2009, 02:43 PM	#14 (permalink)
eiankei Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 61 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... I did reinstall video drivers, chipset driver & there was a USB patch on Sony website, the problem seemed to be gone at least during last two days but it came out of nowhere once again... EDIT-- I got the idea that moving the laptop causes this problem! Last edited by eiankei; 03-07-2009 at 02:52 PM.

03-07-2009, 09:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... About the problem being caused by any movements on the laptop... were you able to simulate this? __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

03-08-2009, 05:00 AM	#16 (permalink)
eiankei Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 61 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... I'm getting an idea, I don't know if it's true or not! I have a Nokia N85 which seems to be somehow related to this problem! When ever I move this laptop somewhere near the phone it discoloration comes out but when I move it to a place further, it takes sometimes before it get fixes! But I'm still not sure whether it's just a thought or the real deal...!!!

03-08-2009, 10:45 AM	#17 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... In my personal experience, I noticed that distortion on my laptop LCD happens when my phone rings and it is near my laptop. You should try to simulate it. Put the phone on the same desk as your laptop. Observe the laptop's LCD if there's any effect like discoloration or distortion. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

03-10-2009, 03:09 PM	#18 (permalink)
eiankei Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 61 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... Ok! I'm again not sure how it happens but I'm sure that when I hold "Fn" button, it will go away!

03-11-2009, 01:23 PM	#19 (permalink)
eiankei Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 61 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... It's not just "FN" button! It goes away when I press any of left-bottom keys! (Left CTRL,Left Shift,Fn,Windows button, left half of Space,Z!!!) Do you think there's something wrong with hardware?!

03-11-2009, 01:39 PM	#20 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,846 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Problem with VGN-FW285D... There is only one way to find out... open it up and see what is under those keys that you said earlier. It could be the video chip or may be a cable that needs to be seated securely. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE