Laptop screen flickers and then turns black

SBMan001 · Jan 24, 2013

Hello,

I am not sure if this is the right place to ask my question, but I have a HP Pavilion dv9610us Notebook, running Windows vista 32bit.

I was working in 3ds max 2011 yesterday, and then my screen began to flicker and go semi-black with horizontal/vertical white lines, and it kept going back and forth until the screen went black altogether.

I restarted it a few times, and most recently the screen appeared for a few seconds, and then it flickered again and kept going black, so I turned it off.

I am not very familiar with PC computers, so I am not sure what is the problem, but I am hoping that someone can understand my issue and give a solution to it! I have read around on various sites that say it may have to do with a backlight bulb issue or something along those lines, but I have no idea if that's what it is.

Also, I connected it to my tv, and the screen shows up on there... so I don't what that means, but hopefully it's not too complicated to fix.
Now, I am thinking it's the screen/display inverter, but I could be wrong. Is the problem that I need a new screen/display inverter, or is it something else?

Thanks in advance for any help!

richc46 · Jan 24, 2013

Welcome
There could be several reasons for your problem, but I am leaning toward your graphics driver, see if it works in safe mode.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/123496-safe-mode.html

SBMan001 · Jan 24, 2013

richc46 said:
Welcome
There could be several reasons for your problem, but I am leaning toward your graphics driver, see if it works in safe mode.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/123496-safe-mode.html

The screen is black when I turn it on, but I can see it through my tv screen. Should I still try to run it through safe mode that way? And if so, once I run it in safe mode, what should I do next?

richc46 · Jan 24, 2013

If it works in safe mode, indicates a software problem, such as a driver. If it does not work, we have to look further may be hardware.
If it works or not, post back so that we can take the next steps.

SBMan001 · Jan 24, 2013

richc46 said:
If it works in safe mode, indicates a software problem, such as a driver. If it does not work, we have to look further may be hardware.
If it works or not, post back so that we can take the next steps.

I started it up (connected to tv), and the laptop did display the startup options, and I clicked on safe mode and it started to load up, and the screen went black again (BUT, the image on my tv still showed safe mode loading up).

So, it sounds like a software problem?

richc46 · Jan 24, 2013

When you boot in safe mode it uses just the very basic drivers that are aboslutely essential to boot, see the screen and perform basic functions. If in safe mode, you still had a black screen, the first thing that I would check is the monitor. Can you use another monitor to test? You did not mention if you have a lappy.
When a software problem is the cause of trouble, things usually work as they should in safe mode.

SBMan001 · Jan 24, 2013

richc46 said:
When you boot in safe mode it uses just the very basic drivers that are aboslutely essential to boot, see the screen and perform basic functions. If in safe mode, you still had a black screen, the first thing that I would check is the monitor. Can you use another monitor to test? You did not mention if you have a lappy.
When a software problem is the cause of trouble, things usually work as they should in safe mode.

I think I did mention I am using a laptop (assuming that's what you meant by "lappy"), but it's a black screen only on my laptop. I can actually see my desktop and run safe mode on my hdtv through my VGA cable.

I don't have another monitor, only my hdtv, which I thought would work the same way as an external monitor, but maybe that's not true?

If the problem is still to check my monitor, how would I do that? If that's not what you think I need to check, let me know what you think is next to check!

richc46 · Jan 24, 2013

Sorry, yes you did mention a laptop. If you connected your TV in the same fashion as the external montior mentioned in this article, then the problem is your montior. If you did not connect in this fashion, test by connecting using the method indicated.
How to Test a Laptop Display | eHow.com

SBMan001 · Jan 24, 2013

richc46 said:
Sorry, yes you did mention a laptop. If you connected your TV in the same fashion as the external montior mentioned in this article, then the problem is your montior. If you did not connect in this fashion, test by connecting using the method indicated.
How to Test a Laptop Display | eHow.com

So, I did connect it in that fashion, and so the article and you are saying it's the monitor. I'm not sure if you are saying I need to replace a specific part of the monitor, or the whole thing?

However, occasionally my laptop does flicker and shows the actual desktop and I can move around on it, and then it flickers back to black. Now, it's not a complete pitch-black screen when it goes black. It's more of a dark gray... and it seems like light is visible around the edges of the screen; I just can't see my desktop when it turns this black/dark gray.

I've read that these things can be from bad inverters or bad back-lights. What is your opinion? Since the screen occasionally flickers back on and off (mostly off with the black/dark gray color), I am not sure if it's the whole monitor itself?

richc46 · Jan 24, 2013

What has to be done to the monitor can't be diagnosed from here. All that I can tell you is that from all the evidence that you provided it appears to be a hardware problem, namely the monitor.
What you may want to try is to go to search by the start button, and type device manager. You will see many of the drivers that are working with your computer. Look at monitor and display adaptors. If there is a small yellow mark by either, update the driver (that would be a software problem) but I do not think that is the case in your situation.
If it were my computer, I would have a professional test the monitor and if defective discuss the alternatives, including costs of each.
The back lights are part of the monitor and that can be the problem, but again you have to have the monitor checked or try to replace the backlights yourself if you have the expertise.

SBMan001 · Jan 24, 2013

richc46 said:
What has to be done to the monitor can't be diagnosed from here. All that I can tell you is that from all the evidence that you provided it appears to be a hardware problem, namely the monitor.
What you may want to try is to go to search by the start button, and type device manager. You will see many of the drivers that are working with your computer. Look at monitor and display adaptors. If there is a small yellow mark by either, update the driver (that would be a software problem) but I do not think that is the case in your situation.
If it were my computer, I would have a professional test the monitor and if defective discuss the alternatives, including costs of each.
The back lights are part of the monitor and that can be the problem, but again you have to have the monitor checked or try to replace the backlights yourself if you have the expertise.

I will try checking out if I need to update anything. If that doesn't work out, I will open the whole thing and make sure all the plugs are actually plugged in correctly. If that doesn't do it, then I will get it checked out. What kind of place would be best to go to to get it checked out?

Well, it's not a software problem.

richc46 · Jan 24, 2013

I dont know the names of computer repair places in your area, but what you may want to do is go to the BBB listing, look for computer repairs and select one with a high rating. Alternatively, you can talk to your friends to see if they know of good computer repair. Personally, I would stay away from the big chains, but that is just my opinion.
Here is computer repair for Chicago
Check Out a Business or Charity - Connecticut BBB for Computers - Service & Repair in chicago-IL

SBMan001 · Jan 26, 2013

richc46 said:
I dont know the names of computer repair places in your area, but what you may want to do is go to the BBB listing, look for computer repairs and select one with a high rating. Alternatively, you can talk to your friends to see if they know of good computer repair. Personally, I would stay away from the big chains, but that is just my opinion.
Here is computer repair for Chicago
Check Out a Business or Charity - Connecticut BBB for Computers - Service & Repair in chicago-IL

I had it looked at, and they suggested that it would be more worth it to buy a new laptop, since mine is 5+ years old, and it's not worth the money to spend on a new monitor.

I was wondering if you knew of any top quality laptops that would cost around anywhere from $200-$400?

Patonb · Jan 26, 2013

Not many quality laptops for $400, especially like your dv9 series. Infact most laPtops are all equal at hat price point.

I ussually suggest a person go into a Staples, bestbuy, big boxstore and try them out themselves as I find keyboards vary between models, and I like a good feeling keyboard.

Laptop screen flickers and then turns black

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