Secondary monitor temporary blackouts

Zeveq · 10-16-2009, 03:23 AM

Hi,

I have just connected a samsung monitor to my acer laptop, and all appeared to be functioning perfectly until I noticed that every now and then the screen blacks out for a second or two. Sometimes repeatedly. I thought this might just be the graphics card struggling with a game the first time i saw it but it also happens on simple web pages when there's nothing much going on.. Also my laptop screen remains fine while the samsung monitor is blacking out.

I've checked the DVI cable is securely fastened, and tried various things like setting the samsung to primary and secondary monitor, but to no avail. Not really sure what other things I should try.

Is this a problem (fixable or unfixable) with my laptop trying to drive a second monitor, or with the monitor itself?

Thanks

ankitricky · 10-16-2009, 04:30 AM

check the display drivers and see your getting this problem if everything is ohk with drivers so as u said that your laptop is working fine without connecting the monitor then you should check your friend or neighbor monitor on your laptop so you will get to know the problem is in which thing.

**Tyree** · 10-16-2009, 08:52 AM

Are you using the laptop and external monitor simultaneously?

Zeveq · 10-16-2009, 11:48 AM

Yes I am using the monitor and the laptop simultaneously (extended desktop), the laptop is working fine.

I have found that resting the laptop on a pen near the DVI port appears to sometimes help stop the blackouts. Is it possible that something's come loose on the graphics card that stops signal being transferred to the DVI port?

Though having said that, it's just started blacking out again and I haven't moved anything.. Er, now I can't get it working again except for short flashes.

The monitor screen is now permanently black, but it can detect that it has a digital input plugged in, and the computer can detect that it has a separate monitor plugged in.

Assuming for now that the monitor is fine (will check this with someone else's pc), what can I do to troubleshoot and/or sort out a dodgy DVI connection inside the laptop? Have similar things happened to others? Do I still need to faff around with reinstalling the monitor driver I just installed in case its that?

One more thing - turning the laptop on its side makes the image appear on the screen.. Oh joy.

Thanks for your help!

Specs:
Acer Ferrari 4000
XP SP3
AMD Turion 64 ML-37 (~2.0GHz)
1022MB RAM
ATI Mobility Radeon x700, 128MB
DirX 9.0c

Dogg · 10-16-2009, 03:27 PM

I'd start with testing the monitor. Aside from that, you could try applying slight pressure on the cable (up down left right) to see if it restores the picture. Could be anything at this point: monitor / cable / laptop connector / video card. There are only so many test points on a laptop.

If you have a docking station, you could try using that. That would bypass the laptop connector.

10-16-2009, 03:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
Zeveq Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp sp3	Secondary monitor temporary blackouts Hi, I have just connected a samsung monitor to my acer laptop, and all appeared to be functioning perfectly until I noticed that every now and then the screen blacks out for a second or two. Sometimes repeatedly. I thought this might just be the graphics card struggling with a game the first time i saw it but it also happens on simple web pages when there's nothing much going on.. Also my laptop screen remains fine while the samsung monitor is blacking out. I've checked the DVI cable is securely fastened, and tried various things like setting the samsung to primary and secondary monitor, but to no avail. Not really sure what other things I should try. Is this a problem (fixable or unfixable) with my laptop trying to drive a second monitor, or with the monitor itself? Thanks

10-16-2009, 04:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
ankitricky Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 14 OS: windows 2000 Professional	Re: Secondary monitor temporary blackouts check the display drivers and see your getting this problem if everything is ohk with drivers so as u said that your laptop is working fine without connecting the monitor then you should check your friend or neighbor monitor on your laptop so you will get to know the problem is in which thing. Last edited by ankitricky; 10-16-2009 at 04:33 AM.

10-16-2009, 08:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,496 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Secondary monitor temporary blackouts Are you using the laptop and external monitor simultaneously? __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-16-2009, 11:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
Zeveq Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp sp3	Re: Secondary monitor temporary blackouts Yes I am using the monitor and the laptop simultaneously (extended desktop), the laptop is working fine. I have found that resting the laptop on a pen near the DVI port appears to sometimes help stop the blackouts. Is it possible that something's come loose on the graphics card that stops signal being transferred to the DVI port? Though having said that, it's just started blacking out again and I haven't moved anything.. Er, now I can't get it working again except for short flashes. The monitor screen is now permanently black, but it can detect that it has a digital input plugged in, and the computer can detect that it has a separate monitor plugged in. Assuming for now that the monitor is fine (will check this with someone else's pc), what can I do to troubleshoot and/or sort out a dodgy DVI connection inside the laptop? Have similar things happened to others? Do I still need to faff around with reinstalling the monitor driver I just installed in case its that? One more thing - turning the laptop on its side makes the image appear on the screen.. Oh joy. Thanks for your help! Specs: Acer Ferrari 4000 XP SP3 AMD Turion 64 ML-37 (~2.0GHz) 1022MB RAM ATI Mobility Radeon x700, 128MB DirX 9.0c

10-16-2009, 03:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1,973 OS: XP sp3	Re: Secondary monitor temporary blackouts I'd start with testing the monitor. Aside from that, you could try applying slight pressure on the cable (up down left right) to see if it restores the picture. Could be anything at this point: monitor / cable / laptop connector / video card. There are only so many test points on a laptop. If you have a docking station, you could try using that. That would bypass the laptop connector. __________________ Google is your friend !