Windows XP - Notebook Abnormal Video

Use this checklist to troubleshoot video problems other than No video.

  • A brightly lit area can affect the ability to complete some of the listed procedures.
  • Perform these procedures at an inside location with normal lighting.
  • Position yourself directly in front of the display.

Typical Symptoms

  • Lines or Dark Spots are seen on the display
  • Large areas of the screen appear darker than other areas
  • Display appears to be dim
  • Resolution Too Small or Too Large

  1. Restart the computer.

    1. For any open applications, save changes and close the application.

    2. Click Start, click the arrow next to the lock icon, then click Restart. The computer exits Windows, then restarts.

    3. If computer does not restart, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off (about five seconds), then press it again to turn the computer back on.

  2. Check for vertical or horizontal lines. Vertical or horizontal lines that are always seen at the same location on the screen indicate that one or more of the display panel's column or row drivers has failed (stuck in an active state). Contact technical support for assistance.

    Note: The clarity of the lines depend upon the contrasting background provided by current screen activity. For example, red line sections disappear when the adjacent screen areas are red, but the lines are always present.

  3. Check for dark spots. Dark spots that are always seen at the same location on the screen indicate display panel damage. The dark spots are more clearly seen on a lighter colored background. Contact technical support for assistance.
    View Picture

  4. Check for pixel defects. Pixel defects are defined by the amount and location of defective pixels or dots on the display. Contact technical support for assistance.

  5. Adjust the brightness to its highest level.
    • On most notebooks, this is a FN+F8 keystroke.
    • If necessary, reference the Product pages or Users Guide for instructions on how to adjust this setting.
  6. Make sure the notebook is not running on battery power. If the notebook is running on batteries, and the BIOS Setup Auto Dim option is enabled, LCD brightness will be reduced.
  7. If the display remains unacceptably dim at its highest brightness level, contact technical support for assistance.

  8. Check display resolution.

    1. Minimize or close all Windows.

    2. If display size is only abnormal in an application:
      • Check the view settings in the application.
      • Check the control/mouse wheel zoom feature.

    3. If desktop display resolution is not normal:
      1. Right-click on the desktop, then select properties.
      2. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab.
      3. On the Settings tab, Display Settings, in the Screen Resolution section, Click and drag the slider to the desired resolution.
      4. Click Apply and check the display.
      5. Click OK if this is the desired setting. If necessary, adjust again.

  9. Run Device Driver Roll Back.

    1. Click Start menu, click Control Panel.

    2. In Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.

    3. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
      View Picture

    4. In Device Manager, select the device for which Roll Back Driver needs to be used. From the Action menu, click Properties.
      Note: Most entries in Device Manager have the Roll Back Driver feature. In this example, the Display adapter is used.
      View Picture

    5. In the properties dialog box for the selected device, click the Driver tab, and then click Roll Back Driver.
      View Picture

    6. When prompted to roll back the previous driver, click Yes.
      View Picture

    7. The driver is changed back to the previous driver. The Driver name, Driver Provider, Driver Date, Driver Version, and Digital Signer change to the corresponding driver. In the properties dialog box for the selected device, click Close.
      View Picture

    8. In the System Settings Change dialog box, to restart the computer, click Yes.
      View Picture

  10. Uninstall and reinstall the video device drivers.

    1. From the Start menu, right-click My Computer and then click Properties.

    2. In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.

    3. Click the plus sign (+) in front of the component with the driver you wish to remove.

    4. Right-click on the device, and then click Uninstall.

    5. In the Confirm Device Removal dialog box, click OK. Follow any onscreen prompts to complete removal.

    6. Reinstall the device drivers using the desired method in the XP Device Driver Checklist.

    If following the above procedures did not resolve your problem, please contact Gateway through one of the following methods: