Video Card Crashes on Dual Monitor

So My Laptop Crashes every once in a while when i have dual monitors hooked up. It will goto a white screen with gray static bars and other crap flashing on the screen. Is it the video card crashing and what can i do to fix it?

 

still having troubles, anyone got something?

thanks

 

Here is pictures of the screen

 

More details please, are you using Dell video drivers or something else? Are you using ATI software to control your monitors?Windows? Both? Are you using independent resolutions? Clone mode? Span? Have you tried a different monitor or just that one? I've been running dual displays on my desktops for years, though its been a while since I've used ATI.

 

Could be the cable too, check that out as well. If the laptop screen is working ok, then it might be just the dvi part that's messed up.

 

ok im using the drivers that are on dells site, they are different resolutions, only used this monitor and that displays on both screens and when it does it i cant do anything like windows key and shutdown etc

thanks for helping

 

First thing I would do is try a more recent driver revision, look at the stickies in the gaming forum, I dont exactly follow the last bit, if you could clarify "only used this monitor and that displays on both screens and when it does it i cant do anything like windows key and shutdown etc"

 

that static shows up on both screens
and when it does windows is frozen too

 

When the screens go nuts, is it completely at random? Or is there a common element such as a particular program, physical movement of either the monitor or laptop, Presently I'm still thinking new drivers could help, the ones on dells site are dated 7/13/06, thats nearly a year old, also have you ever had this problem with just the laptop only?

 

have you tried using the same resolution on both screens?

 

not possible, wide screen laptop and normal monitor screen

 

its random,

i will search around and find newer drivers

 

It is possible to run standard ratio resolutions on a widescreen display, you wouldnt want to keep it that way for the long haul, but it would be completely harmless for testing purposes.

 

yeah you can and it streches it out to widescreen
i can try it this weekend
also im having troubles finding drivers

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=64910

 

If the problem is happening on both displays at the same time that makes me think the problem is with the video card itself. Have you already run the Dell diagnostics to test the video card? If you have not, you can run them by pressing F12 and selecting 'Onboard Diagnostics' at the Dell splash screen just after powering on, or by booting from the Inspiron Resource (aka Drivers & Utilities) CD that should have shipped with the computer.

While the Dell drivers have not been updated since July, you might try reinstalling them as described in the thread Iceman links to (uninstall completely, install driver, reboot and test). If it is just a configuration confusion or corrupt driver file that should fix it.

If the diags fail or if reinstalling/updating the driver does not fix the problem then I am fairly certain the video card itself needs to be replaced. If the computer is still in warranty then it would be a simple matter for me (or normal tech support) to have a repair set up for you. If you are not sure if the system is still in warranty feel free to PM me the service tag and I will be happy to check the status for you.

Larry
Dell Customer Advocate

 

ok cool i will do that tomorrow, its still under warrenty
i will update the drivers first and if that doesnt help i will run the diag

thanks for the help!