Black screen

Chris Mha · October 9, 2007, 04:28 AM

Hope you guys can help. Dell Inspiron 8600 Laptop. Screen went black. Machine is still running. Restart, and Dell logo comes up but has a pinkish hue to it. Will run anywhere from a few seconds to maybe a minute then screen goes black again. Anybody ever run into this?

Jim McClain · October 9, 2007, 05:06 AM

Hi Chris,

It sounds like a video adapter issue, either the video chip itself, or possibly the cpu or ram. Laptops aren't easily or commonly serviced by the user and you best hope with a Dell laptop is to get tech support directly from Dell.

Here is a list of results for Inspiron 8600 video issues: Dell - Search - All Dell.com

Here are results for video issues from their forums: Dell - Search - All Dell.com

Good luck,

Jim

Chris Mha · October 9, 2007, 05:28 AM

I have a fellow installer/computer geek at one of our local retailers. He has started a computer company and is now an authorized dell service tech. I'm going to see him this morning. Thank Jim

Floorguy · October 9, 2007, 04:06 PM

MY bet is the equivelent to the motherboard. Is that the cpu.
That is what mine did.

Chris Mha · October 9, 2007, 04:12 PM

Dropped it off today. He said it could be one of three things. The video adapter, the backlight or the inverter. We'll see.

Chris Mha · October 12, 2007, 11:45 AM

Got a call this morning from the computer tech. Turns out it was the video adapter. Couple hundred bucks and it's done. as soon as the part comes in. Not to bad on the wallet.

Chris Mha · October 13, 2007, 01:42 PM

Got some bad news today. Video adapter is not the problem. Screen went. Now it's $375. Not worth it for a for year old laptop. Looking for a new one now.

cproader · October 13, 2007, 02:31 PM

Chris, alot of times that is the connector between the base and screen. Too much open and shuttin seems to wear that, and that is an easy fix.

Nick Arrera · October 13, 2007, 02:43 PM

Is it still under warranty ? If you are not looking to spend a lot of money Dell , and Gateway make a decent laptop for the price . And they both have great support . Something breaks they fix it pronto ..

Chris Mha · October 13, 2007, 03:13 PM

This one is a Dell and I will probably go withit again. My laptop sits right here on the desk and I never close it. As a matter a fact I never shut it off. I like a laptop for travel purposes and I just got used to doing all of my inspection work on it. No one else uses my laptop but me. The kids have this Dell desktop and they do their thing.

Nick Arrera · October 13, 2007, 03:17 PM

Call them on the phone Chris , they just might send you a new one .. Dell and Gateway have been trying to outdo each other for the last 10 years ..

Chris Mha · October 14, 2007, 08:01 AM

It's four years old now though.

Peter Kodner · October 14, 2007, 02:25 PM

You could plug a monitor in and use it that way. Should be a port in the back. Be cheaper than replacing it.

I use mine n jobs but use a desktop in the office. Networked so I can share files easily and have backups of my critical files on both units. May not help if I have a natural (or unnatural) disaster, but would CMA if I have an equipment issue.

Chris Mha · October 14, 2007, 05:28 PM

I know I can plug in external monitor but would not do me much good on the road. I don't want to have to drag a monitor along with me. Work has been good the last two months and although I wouldn't say I have extra money laying around I could buy it now and probably will this week.

Peter Kodner · October 14, 2007, 06:22 PM

Chris Mha said

I like a laptop for travel purposes and I just got used to doing all of my inspection work on it. .

Seemed like the last time we spoke in real time you weren't using it on sites...

I'm so used to having mine, I'd be lost without it. I do plan on them only lasting 2-3 years though. I use a good case but they still get banged and bounced around a lot. I seem to have screens go bad on most of them.

Use one of the old ones for my "blue" microscope and nothing else...