Faulty VGA Output

[liammcdaid]

Hi, I'm having problems using any external monitor with my laptop. When i connect the VGA cable the computer detects the monitor and the monitor detects that there is a computer. However nothing gets displayed to the screen. The screen just remains black. I know this is a hardware issue and not related to software as i have tried different versions of windows, ubuntu with different drivers.

The laptop I have is the Dell Vostro 1700 with the 256mb nVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT. I replaced the original ram and hard drive to increase its specification.

Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[Guest]

Sometimes there's a hotkey Fn to switch between laptop and external screen.

Sometimes it's a setting in Control Panel, Display settings.

Have a look at the Dell manual for this model.

 

[liammcdaid]

Thanks for the reply but i know that this is a hardware issue and nothing to do with FN + F8, drivers or windows settings.

The laptop dispalys an output to the screen but its just black.

 

[Guest]

Have you tried the screen with another computer and vice versa.

 

[liammcdaid]

Yes i have tried it.

The laptop doesn't work with any LCD or CRT monitor. Strangley enough it does work with a 50" lcd tv when connected through the vga port. It displays the image but the sizing and position are slightly off.

i have dismantled the laptop. i tested it without the lcd screen connected and have the same problem.