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Computer help forum: computer screen keeps blinking

by: edisonp May 4, 2008 3:44 PM PDT

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computer screen keeps blinking

by edisonp - 5/4/08 3:44 PM

My computer (laptop) screen keeps blinking a few minutes after turning it on. Eventually, it shows glitches and somewhat freezes. Before, I'd just restart the computer and it would work fine. But now the monitor blinks and eventually doesn't come back up. And then I have no choice but to unplug the computer. Please, if anyone can help me I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

My guesses are
maybe I need to clean the fan (with an air compressor?)
it could be a virus


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Since you told us. . .

by Coryphaeus - 5/4/08 4:18 PM

In Reply to: computer screen keeps blinking by edisonp

absolutely nothing about the laptop or OS, how can we help? Did you read this, written in RED above where you posted your question:

Note: If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem.


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It's a Dell

by edisonp - 5/4/08 10:21 PM

In Reply to: Since you told us. . . by Coryphaeus

with Windows XP


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There's about a thousand Dells. . .

by Coryphaeus - 5/5/08 4:11 AM

In Reply to: It's a Dell by edisonp

Which one?


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Inspiron

by edisonp - 5/5/08 1:06 PM

In Reply to: There's about a thousand Dells. . . by Coryphaeus

2650


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Did you ever

by PudgyOne - 5/5/08 1:21 PM

In Reply to: Inspiron by edisonp

re-install the Operating System, whatever that version might be?

Did you also download the driver from here and install them in this order?

Desktop System Software or Notebook System Software
Chipset or SMBus driver
Processor Driver (if applicable)
Video
Audio (sound)
Input Drivers (keyboard/mouse)
Modem
Network Card


Rick


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No

by edisonp - 5/6/08 4:31 PM

In Reply to: Did you ever by PudgyOne

I never reinstalled it.


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Try your guesses first

by Steven Haninger - 5/5/08 5:29 PM

In Reply to: computer screen keeps blinking by edisonp

Heat will cause a variety of problems. We recently did have a dying screen on a laptop. This was confirmed by plugging into a regular LCD monitor. The laptop ran fine but the screen looked like garbage. I replaced the inverter card but that didn't work. A new screen did the job.


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computer screen keeps blinking

by mikefromboston - 5/5/08 8:10 PM

In Reply to: Try your guesses first by Steven Haninger

when the voltage gets high enough the capacitance touch switch for the monitor power passes current. After it discharges, the screen goes black until it charges up again. I had the same problem with a x2gen bargain monitor. My fix was to physically crush the frame around the switch driving the faces closer together.

For a laptop, there is probably a switch for the computer to sense when the laptop is closed. I propose it is probably the same problem. They can be sensitive.


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I'm not sure if I can do the same

by edisonp - 5/6/08 4:35 PM

In Reply to: computer screen keeps blinking by mikefromboston

to my laptop. It seems to have just started doing that one day and was getting worse everytime I use it.


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I don't have another monitor

by edisonp - 5/6/08 4:32 PM

In Reply to: Try your guesses first by Steven Haninger

I probably use our Plasma TV, though, I just need a cable.


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One other thought and hope this isn't the case

by Steven Haninger - 5/6/08 5:52 PM

In Reply to: computer screen keeps blinking by edisonp

There have been some IBM models where the GPU's surface solder connections begin to crack and cause the screen to blank out. Pressing on the right spot on the keyboard re-makes the connections and the screen comes back. Try pushing down lightly on varies areas of the keyboard when this happens. If you can make it come and go, you may have a detaching GPU.


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