Help Please: External Monitor Flickering

I read the last thread on this and read a bunch of other things, and still have not found a solution.

I have an HP dv6500t, and just got a Samsung 244t 24'' external monitor. The monitor is absolutely perfect when my laptop charger is not plugged in. However, as soon as I plug in my laptop charger (I need it often-weak battery), the external monitor constantly flickers.

I have tried everything from running an extension cord into another room and using a three-prong adapter, changing between plugging in my external monitor power cord and my laptop ac charger.

This is extremely frustrating and I would really appreciate any thoughts/advice. Thank you!

 

If you pull the Battery out and use plug does it work fine? If yes then it looks like your powerbrick does not have the power to charge and run the external at the same time. Same thing different way is fully charge Batt and then see does the flicker go away? These are just guesses but try them as a way of ruling things out.

 

Are you using a VGA cable by any chance?

I had the same problem with my Samsung 206BW as an external monitor, the VGA cable that was included kept on flickering especially when watching a film or playing games. Then it was solved by using a shielded VGA cable - the flickering is virtually gone and is a big improvement from before.

Switching to battery may help as well (particularly with those laptops that have the monitor output connection right next to the AC power port).

 

Hey, I have tried a better VGA cable without success. Also, not using the battery at all doesn't do anything either. The only way for me to get it to stop flickering is to not have the charger plugged in. I am really confused

 

Do you have Windows Vista?

It has been a problem with some of the older graphics drivers. Many of the new graphics drivers have a fix for the screen flickering.
Also you have to have the control panel settings to presentation mode, in order to get the image to post onto the external monitor.
Usually you have to press the FN + Fxx key in order to change the external viewing settings.

Do you know what graphics card you have?
Cause if you tell us, we can find the latest graphics driver for your card.

W00T, 1500th post

K-TRON

 

Hey- I do have Vista, and it sounds like you could be right. My graphics card is NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS.

 

32 bit or 64 bit, I need to know to find you the correct drivers?

Hopefully you have 32bit Windows Vista.
Here is the newest driver for your 8400m GS
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=13809

Just click on the " Driver" in the top left corner, and save it to your desktop.
Then run the file, and you should be good to go.

K-TRON

 

I tried installing the driver, but strangely, it says that it found no drivers compatible with my system. When I tried again, it said the system it detected is not Windows Vista 32-bit (it is, I triple-checked this). I promise I'm not making any of this up

 

Okay, did you uninstall the current video driver?
If you did not uninstall the current driver than the new driver will not install

The driver I gave you should have worked flawlessly
You can try these drivers: (These ones are designed and certified by HP)
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=15643

K-TRON

 

Ah, I do not know how to uninstall the current driver. Can you point me in the right direction for this? After that I will install the one from the link you showed. Thanks again

 

Go to Device Manager (System Properties, Hardware). Go to Display Adapters, right click on the external click properties then Driver, go to uninstall. Restart you will likely be prompted new hardware detected, install Drivers from certain location (the one where you saved).

 

Or you can go into the control panel.

Then select "programs and features" I think its named that.
When you click on it, it brings you to basically the add/remove hardware wizard.
Find your graphics driver and uninstall it.

K-TRON

 

OK- I uninstalled the driver, then tried both different links you sent me. When running the setup on either of the downloads, it says something like "it has detected the system you are using is not Windows Vista 32-bit. This only works for Windows Vista 32-bit. The installation will now be terminated."

I am obviously positive that I do in fact have Windows Vista 32-bit, and now don't have a NVIDIA driver at all because for this reason it won't install

 

What you are experiencing is called a Ground Loop. You eliminate the loop when you unplug the laptop's power adapter. This has little to do with drivers.

You have several choices:
1. use a digital connection (DVI, HDMI)
2. attempt to connect the monitor and computer to the same outlet.
3. use a grounding adapter (those 3 prong to 2 prong devices) on one of the AC plugs.

 

OK deputy963 sounds like he may know of what he speaks. So the new problem is getting you back to where you were. Do you have the originals which deputy963 is saying are not the problem so install them then follow his advice. If you don't can you let the OS automatically install drivers? Can you go back to a restore point prior to uninstall?

 

Deputy I think is correct. I will work on getting the drivers, I should be able to figure it out. While I sleep tonight I'll be downloading the Vista SP1, which may help these ridiculously confusing and random errors.

Deputy, I tried the other solutions except for the DVI/HDMI connection. My external came with a DVI cord, but my laptop doesn't have a slot for it. Is there an adapter to buy for that? I do think you're 100% right with the grounding. Really appreciate the help so far guys - if I get this working I will be a new man

 

Think about it for a moment. If it were a driver problem, why would it only affect the external output and not the internal display? And then only when connected to AC power!

It's definitely a ground loop. Play with a ground adapter (or two). If you're laptop has HDMI you can use an HDMI to DVI adapter (about $10 online).

 

I agree, it sounds like the way to proceed at this point. Why can't install drivers? Whole different issue. But yea follow your advice sounds good at this point. But just remember drivers can explain much (even behavior that makes no sense) and normally (not in this case) free and easy so as a diagnostic step very little penalty so a prudent step to rule out or in.

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH - all three of you. It turned out Deputy was right. I ran an extension cord to another different outlet and this one works (I suppose it's a different circuit). I am so happy it's finally fixed- no more flickering at all, and I now can use the monitor I'd wanted for so long. I truly appreciate all your input, and I will certainly try to be as helpful if anyone ever has a problem I might be able to shed some light on Thanks again guys

 

You said different circuit? correct? I would of guessed that but this threw me a little?

I would like clarification on this so in the future I understand and explain correctly if situation ever comes up again. And upon further reading deputy963 was correct with his advice of using the same outlet but dparker313 has found a solution that is counterintuitive to a "ground loop", separate circuits. So I am confused but very happy things are working. Including it sounds like those very strange driver install issues.

 

Well, it gets a little complicated Powerpack. You can never tell how a house/apt is wired, but (unless it's new) you can bet that somewhere a circuit or two are wired incorrectly. The older the home/apt the worse it probably is

 

Hi, I've been experiencing the same problems, and researching every avenue I can find on this. I've tried all the different resolutions that deputy threw out, and am still having the exact same issue. Does anyone know of any other solutions to this?

 

I am not sure if this is a 100% wiring issue. I had a DV6000t that had the same problem. But it didn't only do it at my house. Did it everywhere. Which would lead me to believe that the PowerSupply was wired bad.

If your computer this ever happens while plugged in, but does not happen when you are not. Deputy is 100% correct that it is a grounding issue. If you don't have a ground lift (or just don't know what one is, but they are really really cheap). Take a cheap PowerStrip, and break off the ground prong (the roung bottom one). There ya go, a ground lift

 

I just want to say I had the EXACT same issue. This is the only place I have seen the solution. I fixed the grounding issue by connecting my monitors power cord to a power strip with a missing third (grounding) prong. I left the laptops power source plugged into the wall. This completely fixed the problem. Thanks a lot.