Screen problem

Right so after I was playing some games suddenly I now have flickering lines and strange colors on my screen that won't go away. I've checked drivers. Done the bist test and the colors were ok. The flickering is still there in bios. I've done the bios test and that's fine. Tried system restore. Last port of call complete restore before I ring dell for new parts lol? What you guys think CPU gout or mother board. Like I say the colors look good on the bist test so that rules out LCD?

 

Plug in an external screen like a tv or something, if the stripe appear on tv too your gpu is dying i think.

 

I don't have any external cables to do that. I disabled the intel graphics and then the 880m and the problem is still there. Does that rule out the graphics hardware? I haven't moved the laptop in anyway so I can't see why a cable would become unseated.

 

Yea it might rule out the gpu problem, you should wait for someone who know exactly how the new alienware work. If i remember right the video signal has to go throw the intel video chip anyway.

Try to move your screen that will make the screen cable move, maybe it is defective or has miscontact.

 

Yes, gpu's fine. Sounds like a new lcd cable should fix it. The wires inside it are single-stranded copper and quite thin. Since the cable routes through the hinges it'll see a bit of metal fatigue here due to opening/closing of the lid. Make sure to order the right cable; there are different versions, depending on the panel type.

 

Cheers guys I might try the fresh install anyway first. It's under warranty so if I give dell a ring they should send someone out right? Had a problem with my old m14x and a tech was sent.

 

I also tried moving the lid but I get no change on the screen which makes me think it might not be the connection?

Also wouldn't passing the bist test prove not a faulty connection? Press start + d and does the color test. Everything is displayed properly during the test. Then once restarted the problem is back

 

Sounds like the LCD or the LCD cable that has failed on you if both GPU's are causing the issue. You can try a fresh install but I can't see it fixing anything although it never hurts to try.

This really makes it sound like a windows problem although I can't say I have ever seen Windows fail like that unless I had a bad OC.....were you OCing you GPU by chance?

If your still under warranty then they will send a tech with the parts to replace them for you, especially if they need to get at that LCD cable as it is quite a tear down to get it out. Your laptop will literally be in pieces when that thing comes out

If they can't track down the cause of the problem over the phone, they will probably send a new MB and GPU although if they can rule out the GPU then possibly just an LCD cable? If your comftorable doing it yourself that may be an option depending on the tech but if anything goes wrong then you wouldn't be covered.

 

Thanks yes that's what I thought. Definitely looks hardware related. Like you say I'll try the clean install that won't hurt and then call them up. Think I'll take the extended warranty as well :/

 

I made a minor overclock of like 50mhz and 20mhz VRAM and started dragon age. It locked up so I reverted to stock. I then played the game for an hour or so and went back to windows. After some minutes of general web browsing the problem showed up. In game was fine at the time.

 

I have had similar artifacting after a bad OC, even at low OC settings. Did you remove the drivers completely and reinstall? I format /reload will also have the same effect. A reload may just help you , but won't know until you try.

 

That. Are you sure that the problem is still here in bios ( sorry for my crap english ). If it's hardware related you should have the problem all the time and not only at certain moment OR maybe the screen test doesn't use all the wire in the screen cable ...

 

Not had much time to play today... yes same problem in bios. Ive just re installed latest graphics driver and no luck. Is it work removing battery pressing power, then restarting? I will probably do a complete windows install tomorrow. Does everyone recommend completely fresh or can i keep my personal files etc?

 

You can back up your files but I would recommend a fresh install.

 

If there is the same problem in bios a new install will deserve to nothing, the driver and even windows is not running when you are in bios, so it's an hardware problem.

 

An update for you guys.... The dell tech came today after I rang up only 48hr ago which I think is very good! Motherboard and LCD cable changed and all is back working fine again! Will defo be taking out that extended warranty Thanks for your help.