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So, I have an HP 32 bit computer (don't know much more than that since it won't let me see other details) that I'm trying to help my sister fix. It has the problem of going "black" on occasion, and on the off chance it lets me get to the desktop, I can't click on the icons, or access the start menu. I've tried running it in safe mode, and the same thing happens. I can't access the icons nor the start menu. I've used almost every option given to me on the troubleshoot menu... It just says it was unsuccessful. I even tried to reset the PC as a last resort, and even that failed, so nothing happened, and everything is still as is.
Any idea what could be doing this or how to fix it?
Thanks!
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Have you checked the monitor cable?
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I should have said laptop. sorry.
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Mar 28, 2019, 17:00 pm
(This post was last modified: Mar 28, 2019, 17:11 pm by RodneyYouPlonker.)
(Mar 28, 2019, 16:49 pm)19ana89 Wrote: I should have said laptop. sorry.
Well it still has a monitor cable. If you can't fix it yourself which I wouldn't suggest you do then take it to a repair shop and have a professional repair it for you. Unless it is related to some kind of graphics driver error. In this situation I'm guessing it's either a loose cable or you may have to have a new screen fitted.
Also really as far as I understand this is most probably a hardware issue so it should have been posted in the hardware/networking section not in the applications and software section...
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If there's a problem on the internal video cable or inverter, maybe the circuit still can work on the VGA/HDMI ports as those use different paths on the motherboard.
- Connect the laptop to a TV or monitor, in most cases the home theater's HDMI cable can be borrowed for this.
- You should see the BIOS power-on message; if not, there's a severe fault. At such situation, don't proceed - Take it to the repair shop.
- Every laptop has some keys (Fn+F4 on mine, for example) to enable the "mirror image" mode on the external. Most devices will detect an external display when booted in this mode, but if not, try hitting the key combination. You may need to cycle thru different modes; after a few seconds without image, hit them again. Usual modes are: Internal panel only -> External only -> Both on mirror mode -> Both on extended desktop / multiple monitors (internal + external).
- The Fn keys may not work due lack of their own software driver / control app; but they are probably ok if you can control the volume, WiFi, etc - The same app usually controls all of the special keys, it's very unlikely only the video commands won't work, but can't tell without image.
- If it shows an image on the external display, that doesn't mean the problem is solved, but it's a start. But if nothing is shown, I suggest you don't proceed.
The laptop goes dark after some time running and doesn't come back? There's a remote chance it's a glitch on the energy saving (screensaver) mode. Or the video electronics. Or the video software driver. Or, under extreme cases, heating / bending causing contact loss on some parts - It doesn't need to be very hot, computers have a lot of plastic parts and laptops are even more subject to small problems due being portable.
You did a Windows reset, so there's little chance reinstalling the software driver or the entire system will solve this. Laptops can have an "afterlife" with external monitors, but in most cases just adjusting the hinges and replacing the flat internal video cable will be enough to make them like new again. On the other side, replacing the inverter usually is cheap, but the video electronics are part of the motherboard, those are expensive to replace.
Good luck!
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Mar 28, 2019, 23:18 pm
(This post was last modified: Mar 28, 2019, 23:22 pm by theSEMAR. Edited 1 time in total.)
(Mar 28, 2019, 16:27 pm)19ana89 Wrote: ...I even tried to reset the PC as a last resort, and even that failed, so nothing happened, and everything is still as is...
last resort is not resetting windows, but reinstalling windows using clean iso. if doing that and laptop still goes wrong, then i agree with rodney and dueda, it's hardware problem...
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Sometimes my laptop freezes and I can't click anything. Or when i'm using it'll go black for a few seconds and then come back... On occasion, it'll go black and freeze causing me to have to power off the computer... The error I sometimes get is that my AMD driver stopped responding...
Not sure if helpful but more something to keep in the back of your mind if a reinstall doesn't work. I have a laptop but have windows 8.1/
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This might sound weird but it was an issue on my HP laptop. The mouse would stop working, couldn't click on anything and have the restart the system.
Finally found several components in the control panel had "allow system to power off this device" in their power tab had been checked. I know it did it because I accidentally access the power settings icon and must have clicked something when closing it.
Took me 3 months to figure it out.
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1. Install speedfan - check system temps. Laptops usually have lousy cooling systems, and a poor GPU fan can freeze a system.
2. CTRL-ALT-DELETE choose system monitor. Use it to shut down anything unnecessary. Anything strange:
3. Run full virus/adware scan. Not all will be found.
4. Run HiJackThis, note anything unusual and google it. Disable anything fishy.
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