Distorted graphics ( Insprion 9400 )

I have been using this laptop for just over a year now and have not had a problem with it until yesterday.

Everytime i turn it on, the image on the display distorts ( sometimes one colour , sometimes like a distorted pattern , random colored grids) It occurs almost always at the splash screen. I cant get into safe mode aswell, it freezes at part
with the driver list or the image messes up aswell.

At first a thought it was the monitor but when i removed the monitor and conected it to a external one the same thing happened. One time it lasted long enough for me to use symantec PC restore but that didn't work either

Cant think of what else to do, any ideas?

 

Have you formatted/reinstalled in that one-year span?

Mike.

 

I have only used the symatec PC restore to change everything back to what it was when i got the laptop. I have done that a few times over the last year.
I didn't get a copy of media centre when i got the laptop.

 

Have you tried flashing the BIOS? I also would run custom diags on the video card just to see...

 

dude, ive got the same problem on my 9400- have you solved it yet?
cheers

 

Sounded like what happened to mine, before it completely died.

 

dude, your graphics card is dead.

 

Okay here is what you have to do.

I fixed my dell by doing this

hears the instructions

when you start up your computer after turning it off cause it wouldnt work. it will ask you if you want to go into safe mode

chose networking safe mode

then click on your log in

now when your log in starts click on start and right click on "My computer"

then select "Manage"

click "Device Manager" on the left-hand side

on the right-hand side, select the plus labeled before display drivers.

then right click on the driver and click uninstall

then reboot your system

your screen may flash a little

when your system boots back up, it should select your graphics driver and install it by default settings (using the default Microsoft monitor)

a way to do this without reboot ( if your system doesn't reboot on its own)..

is to click on the 'action drop-down menu' (from, within the device manager) and select 'scan for hardware changes

** this action will have your system scan for new hardware and install it automatically, if it has the drivers for it

IMPORTANT!!!

**

it would be a good idea for you to find out which graphic card you have, go out onto the internet and download the 3rd party (vendor-specific) driver

this would be the driver that is supplied by the manufacture

(this will usually be NIVIDIA or ATI)

well thank you for reading this

if this works for you please contact me at [email protected]

thank you