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Help with 4 Series Express Chipset Family - Monitor won't work except in safe mode

idata
Employee
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I have a Dell Studio 17 and it uses the Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family.

Yesterday morning, I went to turn on my machine and it went through the normal boot up process (showed the dell logo, etc.). However before it flipped on to the desk top, I could see that the screen went dark. I heard my desktop load, but could never see anything. I tried to reboot several times and nothing happened.

However, when I boot in safe mode, the screen works fine.

I went in and deleted the drivers and then restarted and it started up fine (with crappy resolution). I downloaded the newest update for the driver and as it was installing the driver, it went dark on me. I've tried this cycle several times with several different drivers and keep having the same problem.

I went back and restored my computer to the last known date it worked properly and right after the dell screen, it went dark.

I even restored my computer back to the original factory settings and it did the same thing.

Working on it yesterday, I noticed that the screen is not completely dark, as I can see the shadow of th my desk top with proper light. And at the right angle, I can manuever around the desktop to perform certain tasks. My laptop has a HDMI output and I am able to utilize the HDMI and view my desktop on my TV, even though the monitor is still dim.

I spent most of yesterday searching through these boards and reading posts of others with similar problems, but didn't seem to find a resolution. What seemed to work for a handfull of others, does not work for me. Bill_U had supplied several links to new drivers that supposedly fixed the issue, but the links no longer worked or the drivers led to the same problem.

Finally, yesterday when all of this was happening and I was constantly deleting and reinstallin the drivers, I noticed that under my display adapters, the "Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family was always listed twice (I was always in safe mode) and when I uninstalled the bottom one, they both would be uninstalled. However, once I restored back to the original factory settings and boot it in regular mode, I now only see it once. (When I reboot in safe mode just to check, it is listed twice).

So today, I booted in safe mode and disabled both of them (instead of uninstalling). After restart the computer started up as expected to my desktop (since the drivers are diabled). I enabled one and the resolution still remained crappy and all of a sudden there was only one listed (there was two before I enabled one of them). I then enabled the second one and was told that my hardware setting have changed and that I needed to restart...Upone boot up, it went back to dark. Upon a diable and restart, it lit right back up.

I have booted into safe mode and tried both combinations of leaving one enabled and one disabled, but that doesn't seem to matter.

I have driver version 7.15.10.1576 with a date of 10/7/2008.

It has to be the driver right? Everything works fine in safe mode and when I diable/uninstall the drivers. However, regardless of what updated drivers I use as soon as I install (even during install) everything goes dark on me.

Any help anyone has is greatly appreciated. I've already formatted my hard drive and restored my computer back to factory settings, so obviously I'm up to try anything.

Thanks,

Trevor

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DKnow2
Valued Contributor I
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I would try disabling Aero first. Your display symptom (very dim) suggests CFL tube failure. Depending on the number of tubes it probably wouldn't be worth repairing. Search lcd monitor repair on the web. Some sites are specific to laptops.

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idata
Employee
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Curious,

Thanks for the reply. However, if it was tube failure, wouldn't it show the same dimming issues in safe mode or in normal mode with the driver disbaled?

It lights right up when I boot in safe mode and when I disable the driver, but goes right out as soon as the driver is enabled.

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DKnow2
Valued Contributor I
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This rare problem should not appear for efficient laptop displays or newer desktop monitors, even if your power is not from the wall. A faulty power connection or the display ribbon problem discussed at http://www.fixya.com/support/t102351-monitor_turns_off_repeatedly http://www.fixya.com/support/t102351-monitor_turns_off_repeatedly could be a problem. Even if you had a faulty South Bridge the symptoms would likely be similar to failing capacitors or tubes. Unfortunately many laptops don't provide for external monitors.

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DSilv11
Valued Contributor III
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It sounds like your adapter is coming up in a resolution higher than what your monitor can support. In safe mode, you get low res (crappy) resolution.As soon as the driver loads, it is going to high res that the monitor can't handle.

Since you can get video on the TV link, you should be able to adjust the resolution of the main monitor from the TV monitor.

The exact steps vary slightly from OS to OS. Assuming windows XP, you just right click on the desktop and select properties - settings.

You will see both monitors (TV and main on the screen and clik each and set to the lowest possiable resolution. (800x600)

on apply your main monitor should come up (if this is the problem) and you can then step it back up to highest at which it will function.

idata
Employee
1,216 Views

Doc,

No dice on this either. I went through every resolution I had available, but nothing worked.

When I disable the driver, I can still tweak the resolution a little bit (the options are limited to two or three instead of like 8 or 10), but doing so doesn't impact the screen. It is only when it is enabled.

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DSilv11
Valued Contributor III
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Have you tried the "Roll Back Driver" option?

if it is still dimmed out with the resolution set to lowest level, your monitor should be OK (at least at that resolution) since that would be the same as the VGA native driver.

This points strongly to the driver.

You are using the embeded chipset video and not an add in video card?

One more thought.can you run a registry cleaner?

You might be getting a double driver loaded because of the registry or it may be "normal" for this chip set. (I don;t know)

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DSilv11
Valued Contributor III
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Just browsing DEL's web site, i did not see a studio 17 using the series 4 chip set (but i did not check them all) what is your specific model number. 17xx?

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idata
Employee
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I'm running Vista - 64 Home Premium Edition and because I restored to factory settings, it only has service pack 1.

I will look into these and report back. Which one should I be looking at? The top two are only for developers/advanced users, which I don't think i qualify as

15.17.12.64.2226 released on 10/23/2010?

Thanks,

Trevor

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idata
Employee
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It's a Dell Studio 1737.

The service tag is BN6RLJ1

Model Number: PP31L

I think we bought it in April/May of 09.

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DSilv11
Valued Contributor III
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That helps

This is the link to the DEL driver page for the 1737.

Suprizingly they have a video driver update posted as " urgent"

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?os=WV64&catid=-1&dateid=-1&impid=-1&osl=EN&typeid=-1&formatid=-1&servicetag=&SystemID=STUDIO1737&hidos=WLH&hidlang=en&TabIndex=&scanSupported=True&scanConsent=False http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?os=WV64&catid=-1&dateid=-1&impid=-1&osl=EN&typeid=-1&formatid=-1&servicetag=&SystemID=STUDIO1737&hidos=WLH&hidlang=en&TabIndex=&scanSupported=True&scanConsent=False

I would start with that driver since DEL would have tested it with their laptop.

I'll check to see if Intel has a newer generic driver, but I always recommend using the OEM's unless you have a issue there just won't fix.

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DSilv11
Valued Contributor III
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If you opt to try the newer Intel drivers I would load both the chipset and the video (Whats the worst case? you may end up reloading the OS)

Chipset drivers : http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2991&DwnldID=19596&ProductFamily=Chipsets&ProductLine=Laptop+Chipsets&ProductProduct=Mobile+Intel%c2%ae+4+Series+Express+Chipset+Family&lang=eng http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2991&DwnldID=19596&ProductFamily=Chipsets&ProductLine=Laptop+Chipsets&ProductProduct=Mobile+Intel%c2%ae+4+Series+Express+Chipset+Family&lang=eng

You need to run the install from a comand prompt with the -OVERALL switch (C:\Intel|driver\infinst_autol.exe -overall)

And

Intel® Graphics Driver for Windows 7* and Windows Vista* (exe) Available Downloadshttp://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2991&DwnldID=19468&ProductFamily=Chipsets&ProductLine=Laptop+Chipsets&ProductProduct=Mobile+Intel%c2%ae+4+Series+Express+Chipset+Family&lang=eng# help (Which file should I download?) File name:Win7Vista_151712.exeVersion:15.17.12.2226 Date:10/23/2010Status:Latest

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2991&DwnldID=19468&ProductFamily=Chipsets&ProductLine=Laptop+Chipsets&ProductProduct=Mobile+Intel%c2%ae+4+Series+Express+Chipset+Family&lang=eng http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2991&DwnldID=19468&ProductFamily=Chipsets&ProductLine=Laptop+Chipsets&ProductProduct=Mobile+Intel%c2%ae+4+Series+Express+Chipset+Family&lang=eng

For the video driver.

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idata
Employee
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Fingers are crossed. I am running the install right now.

I like hearing that they had an urgent update, but didn't feel so confident when i saw it was from 2009 , but who knows.

If this doesn't work, i will try your other approach. Regardless, I appreciate the help.

Thanks,

Trevor

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idata
Employee
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no dice on the download from Dell.com

I was hopefull as my TV (through HDMI) flickered on and off several times during the install, but upon reboot, the graphics actually got really bad. The colors were all off and the resolution went to hell (even though it was at it's highest).

Going back to intel for plan B.

It's telling me my computer doesn't meet the minimum requirements...so confused.

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DKnow2
Valued Contributor I
1,216 Views

If Doc knows anything about laptops it is more than me.

A display costs ~$165 and motherboard is ~$300 (with ATI graphics) and any servicing probably costs at least $100.

Capacitors are still a possibility. Reducing the brightness of the display may allow you to reach the desktop. Note whether any flicker or sharp changes occur. The newer Safe Mode screen has little illumination except for a minimum of items with 16 colors. The brighntness may only be controlled by software that isn't available in Safe Mode.

Dell's 1737 service manual shows little except for taking it apart and assembly. If the tubes can be viewed it might show black streaks on a tube (theoretically other colors like red, yellow or white). Inspect capacitors for bulging of the top or bottom. The larger ones should be relevant to video.

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idata
Employee
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I was just looking at all my drivers and noticed a yellow ! next to Consumer IR devices.

Any idea if this could be related?

When I open it up, it says that the device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31).

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DKnow2
Valued Contributor I
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I had just noticed that on a system that had previously had a TV tuner. I suspect that has to do with VIIV if your board supports that. Probably not an issue but I'll look at my systems and installation writeups. It probably should have been taken care of by your installation.

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DKnow2
Valued Contributor I
1,216 Views

As far as I can see you should only have that appear if you have it enabled in BIOS with Intel boards to use the CIR header. Intel has discontinued VIIV. A USB TV tuner would not require such a change as far as I know. Changes in IR connection can disrupt operation significantly but I haven't seen the high resolution video problem.

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DKnow2
Valued Contributor I
1,216 Views

Today I read some of the posts of Black screen after installing ... at /thread/11878?tstart=0 http://communities.intel.com/thread/11878?tstart=0. Some posts do suggest that a driver restores access to the "desktop". I believe in some cases this may be due to a more efficient driver that extends use of the system. The system in laptops is probably the one most would believe to be the most efficient. To save space, power, weight and expense multiple transformers are not used. The power driving the display is not differentiated in the same way as a monitor and desktop. A bonus may be the access to Safe Mode. I don't own any specific computer stock and my comments are not that of a professional in software or hardware.

Two display adapters listed in Safe Mode is probably normal. Windows now requires one default monitor. Since the registry has changed to a default listing of 12 monitors I no longer can interpret whether installation and swapping matters but it is unlikely. Use the Intel procedure for driver installation order, particularly audio.

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