ineedh3lp

Hi, I've been trying to fix this problem for a couple of months and I'm a lil' stubborn and don't like to ask for help, but I can't seem to fix so I hope someone who knows more about computers can.

I have windows xp installed on a dell inspiron notebook. About 5 months ago I started having problems. The screen would turn into random lines of color. It usually happens a couple minutes after I boot it up, but sometimes if i reboot it it will be a colorful mess as soon as I turn it on.

I don't remember downloading or installing anything weird( or at all) before this happened, so it might be a hardware issue, something with the screen or video card i (don't know). Or it could be a virus, but if it is it might be on a lower programming level like MS-DOS. I've been looking and trying out a lot of software solutions so far. Most of the help I get involves XP boot Disk which I don't have because they were not sent with the system. I'm moderately tech savvy so I could try some coding if I had a good tutorial or something, and I'm not afraid to try any options, including formatting the C: drive and installing a new OS( like I recently tried with Linux Ubuntu, before it frizzed out).

What I would like to know 1st of all if you don't mind is a knowledgeable person's opinion if this is a hardware or software issue and then maybe some possible solution to fix the problems.

Thanks in advance for any advice I receive.

TriggerFinger

Boot into BIOS settings... nothing to do just wait and see if screen issues will appear. If they do not appear in BIOS settings, you may have a driver problem. Another way (the method I love best) is to try Ubuntu or Knoppix on a live CD. Same thing in Linux, if symptoms appear then it could really be hardware... LCD or video card or video cable or something.

Tried it with an external monitor? If yes, are the symptoms the same (external monitor displays kaleidoscope of colors)? If symptoms are the same it could drivers or video card related. If symptoms do not show up on external monitor then may be you have a problem with your LCD.

ineedh3lp

thanks for your help. It messed up on the live cd and DOS...i dont' think in BIOS though (im not sure). I also went ahead and installed Linux (thus partitioning the drive) so it's definitely not a software issue. I don't think it 's the monitor either because i tested it on others.

So now that I know that it's a hardware issue, what do you think it is, the video card? I don't mind buying a new one.

TriggerFinger

So problem is the same whether in Linux, DOS or Windows? When hooked up to an external monitor, the external monitor showed the same issues on its screen?

If you answered YES to both questions, then it could be your video card or your motherboard. But since most laptops have their video card integrated with the mobo, then consider a motherboard replacement.

ineedh3lp

well it's not integrated (soldered on) but i would have to buy another one. Do you know a place where you can buy specific parts like that because everywhere I looked it seems like you can only buy them in tandem with another laptop. I might check ebay for some but i heard they're expensive in laptops and some are only made for specific computer models. So, the whole thing may be a wash, but thanks for your help, it's been very useful.

TriggerFinger

I may have missed it in the thread but what is the exact model of your inspiron?