dots on my lcd

hey guys, ive finally got my screen working after having the inverter repaired. but now im getting lots of green, red and blue(?) dots (pixels) (sometimes they also flash)

this happens mainly during boot up (bios screen has a little, windows boot has a lot) and when into windows there is about 5 dots left (always the same place).

is this to do with the ram or the gfx card (which is new) as it also happens on the external monitor.

thanks all.

 

if it also happens on the external monitor, then it is most likely the video card. Try booting up in integrated graphics and see if the same stuff still happens.

 

or perhaps dead/stuck pixels?

 

if it still happens in the integrated gfx mode than it's probably dead pixels.

 

I have the following system:

Sager NP5760, 1920x1200 screen, original NVidia Go 7900 GTX 256MB. Shortly after receiving the laptop I had to get the inverter replaced. Now, nearly two years later the exact issue you describe is happening. It is more visible on the BIOS screen, and boot up screen because the resolution is lower and the pixels bigger. However, once in windows (or linux in my case) the pixels are still there in their red. green, and blue. I also get text corruption in non graphics mode. I have tested and external monitor, and the pixels and text corruption are still there.

I have experienced lock-ups and crashes. It is either a heat problem or hardware problem. I would contact your vendor.

 

what do u mean by intergrated graphics? (i should of said earlier sorry... this is an m5550 laptop)

i just left the laptop turned off for a few min and plugged it into the external, didnt have a single pixel problem, but then after 30sec of call of duty 4 it froze up. also the external (on clone setting) sets my resolution to 1024x768 and i get no pixel issues at all while in windows (but do during boot)

yet when i set it back to 1280x800 i get the pixels and a red one that when i drag a window over it, it follows it like a red lined pattern (if you get me )

im gonna try my old gfx card and see what happens, thanks for the help with this guys

p.s. call of duty 4 without the external monitor plugged in renders somewhat strangely

 

If you are experiencing artifacts on both the LCD and external monitor, it is likely a bad video card. Feel free to call our Technical Support or PM me directly for assistance with replacing this.

Sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you.

 

well the laptop wouldnt even boot with the old gfx card

 

it is different on different resolutions, and the same on external monitor. freezes up in intense graphics (like gaming) and dies out. the pixels are always in the same place (depending on the resolution).

if its bad gfx the card is only a week old so i will be sending it back, shame as it took 4 weeks for ztronics to get it to me!

 

then it's definitely a problem with the GPU. have you updated drivers, BIOS, etc?

 

its the latest ati drivers (downloaded and installed them today)

as for bios, dont know how to update this?

 

the BIOS for your motherboard. you should find it on MyHive.

 

ive never been able to get into myhive, i have had 2 AW laptops over 4 years and never been able to log in.

is there any other way to get the firmwares and the utility for flashing?

EDIT: my bios is currently 2.03 (if that helps)

 

I'm sure someone with a m5550 could upload it for you.

 

hey mate, i managed to get the 2.07 firmware off a direct link to the alienware download site also got the 2.03 incase i need to revert back.

i also managed to test different ram which i know works and still had same issues.

so what i know for certain is:

1) no ram issue
2) no cpu issue
3) no hdd issue
4) bios setup loads up and has strange output (symbols/characters instead of lines, some characters are miscoloured like a kind of pink and light green) - **sometimes** very rarely
5) bios and windows splash (boot up) screens have red, green and blue pixels across the screen and they some of them flash, always the same pixels.
5b) not always the same amount, but, when they do appear, its always the same place.
6) in windows i have some pixel issues, always the same pixels depending on the screen resolution
7) external monitor displays the exact same errors
8) Call of Duty 4 will last in-game for a few secs before freezing with a repeated sound (the sound that was playing when it crashed out is repeated) until i hold the power button down.
9) there are no pixel problems when you are in the RAM check screen during power up (where the alienware slash screen usually shows)
10) tried to load up mspaint and paste a screenshot to show u all and it crashes out when trying to paste

sounds like a dodgy gfx card (even thou its only a few days old, makes me want to cry ) - if someone could confirm my thoughts, i will get a new gfx card from mxm-upgrades as the guy seems quite decent on the emails, even thou they are more expensive.

UPDATE: flashed to 2.07 and still the same.

 

It's a messed up GPU. Time for a new one Solster.

 

ah well, its new so it will be going back to the shop for a refund, will buy one from mxm-upgrades instead, as the guy who runs it is also on these forums.

at least i know what it is now though, ive been going in circles trying to figure it out (as i didnt think it was the gfx coz it was new). always better to know whats wrong heh!

dhoang417, you've replied to all of my threads about my laptop so far, so i just want to say thanks for all the help, i appreciate it, cheers.

 

Solster,

I agree, it is likely your GPU. As mentioned earlier, I too have the exact problem you are having, but have been dealing with it for months since my laptop is 2years old and out of warranty. Been like pulling teeth to get any response from Sager about buying a new card.

If you can, get the refund.

 

ha, same age as my laptop, so you feel the pain too then! ive realised over the last few weeks - laptop after-sales customer service simply doesnt exist! but ive learnt a lot more about my laptop, and now im more confident when it comes to replacing, repairing and flashing components.

oh believe me, i will! a defective card on arrival is simply not acceptable.

 

also, how good is this graphics card?

ive been using this site to compare graphics cards which has that one ^ between the x1800 and the 8600GT.

also the x1800 is rated better than the 8600 GT

comparison sites are ok, but i prefer to have feedback from users with experience with these cards, if you know what i mean

also (i know im being pushy now), but whats the best card on this ebay shop for the m5550? as it has the 8600 GS for 100 pounds

 

No problem. I used to have an m5550 too and miss it. I don't think the 8600GT would work. But, I hear that someone has gotten the 8600 GS to run on the m5550. If I had a choice, I would stick with the x1800 since Alienware has already approved it.

 

thats my feeling on it too. ive seen how good of an FPS i can get from the x1800 and its fine for me.

they are not available from mxm-upgrades for another 2 weeks (approx.) so ive kinda volunteered my laptop to him for testing the 8600gt if he will install the x1800 for me (with pads and grease etc), waiting to see what he says.

 

finally got to take a screenshot:

just for u all to see, i highlighted the pixel and the funny drawings u can do with it

i think... i tried to take a screenshot in cod4 with it messing up, but in the screenshot it came out perfect? strange!

 

and this happens on the external monitor as well?

 

yeh mate, exactly the same. You still think its the graphics card?

 

It has to be the GPU...

 

Almost positive that it is the GPU at this point.

 

ah confidence, that's a diagnosis i like to see! lol

well i've sent the laptop to Kris at mxm-upgrade for him to test out his 8600m GT's and replace my card for me.

its costing a fortune but at least I will have my laptop working at last and if he gets the 8600's working it will hopefully help other m5550 users who want a 8600 GT.

thanks for all the help guys.

P.S. If anyone else has trouble with their screens in the UK (i.e. inverter, bulb, LCD) i recommend Rolta IT Limited, excellent service and good prices. They had the screen off and repaired my inverter in front of my eyes!

 

haha. I wish I lived in the UK. Good luck with the 8600. Let us know how it goes of course.