8400m GS S-Video to Standard Analog TV trouble

I'm trying to connect my Inspiron 1420 with a 4-Pin S-Video to Composite cable to my new 29" analog TV (I know, you're jealous). The problem is, my computer hasn't got the foggiest idea that there's a TV to send the signal to. I haven't confirmed that this particular cable is definitely good, but I've tried the same thing at my friend's house with an identical TV and an identical cable, and it doesn't see the TV there either, while my friend's Acer with GMA x3100 graphics works just fine with them. I'm running the 175.97 drivers straight off of the Dell site.

This being the third place I've asked (I'm waiting a day in between sites), I'd really love it if somebody could help me out with this. I know the image isn't going to be fantastic, but I either get this running, or I have to start buying DVD players until I find one that works properly (currently living in China - I have yet to see a DVD player here that works properly even 90% of the time), and aside from being expensive, that's a huge pain. Many, many thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction here.

 

Well, you weren't too specific about how you set things up but here's a suggestion:

Did you go into the display settings and tell your laptop to output to an external monitor? Some laptops offers this as macrod with the Fn (function key). The additional video outputs are not turned on unless you tell the computer to turn them on. You usually have the option of turning on a 2nd monitor as an extension of your desktop, a replicated 2nd monitor, or as the primary monitor (turning yours off).

 

Sorry for not making that clear, I tried the macroed version (fn+f8), I tried doing it in nvidia Control Panel - where it doesn't give me the option to export because it doesn't see the TV, still doesn't after rigorous display detection, after which it asks me if I want to turn on "force television detection on startup," to which I say yes. Then I try rigorous display detection again for good measure, check everything in Vista's display properties (including marking display 2 as connected and trying to export to it), and then I finally restart the computer while connected to the S-Video cable. This is all done while the lappy is connected to the TV, which is on the proper input channel, but no dice, and I've tried this whole song and dance 3 or 4 times for good measure.

Anyway, that's what I've tried to make it work, does anyone have any other suggestions? As far as I know, there should be no reason it wouldn't work, so maybe I can get this running with the help of the people here.

Thanks again.

 

I don't think there is much you can do... I tried to hook my 1720 up to my TV, S-video to composite with no luck. I spent hours researching and found nothing helpful. The only way I think it works is if it's from s-video to s-video.

 

Wow, that sucks. All the more so because a cheaper option than the 8400m works perfectly fine. After living in China for a while, I've learned to stop pointing out when things just don't make any sense (both culturally - which is fine - and practically - which isn't), but come on Dell, as an American company, I expect to understand what you're doing... and I have to ask, what the hell? I paid good money for this computer, the least I'd hope is for the blasted thing to do what it's supposed to...

Really I just need to vent - I just came back from a particularly frustrating trip to Carrefour, the French-owned supermarket chain that is a little taste of hell on earth, but is also, unfortunately, the nearest place (by over an hour worth of bus transfers) where I can buy certain things I still need.

Now I guess I need to buy a DVD player. And, of course, the nearest place I know that carries them is, you guessed it, Carrefour. ****, ****, and double-****. I need a drink.

EDIT - Well, er, shucks - I can't even seem to type in a four-letter synonym of "condemn" without getting all asterisked. I suppose it's for the best. If nothing else, I can try to coin new expletives. OH BOTTLENOSED DOLPHINS!