External Monitor turns off (goes dark) then back on randomly on dv9500t

Due to other issues (restore disk & SFC problem) I've had 4 different HP dv9500t's sent out to me. Two of them were here long enough for me to use awhile. My intent is to try and make this last one work. Have gotten most all of the other issues fixed up, but both of the two that I've worked with for more than a day or two had same problem/idiosyncrasy.

What happens is that the external monitor connected to the computer randomly goes "off" (turns totally black) for ~ 3 to ? seconds. I have detected no pattern to it. I.e., occurs when typing, occurs when just sitting reading an article with no keyboard or mouse input. If I am typing, and continue to do so while the monitor is black, the typing is there in the running application when the monitor turns back on. Will occur several times in say an hour. Won't occur and then occurs again after maybe 6 hours.

I have a dv9500t with the 256MB nVidia 8600m GS graphics card. I have downloaded and installed the latest drivers available from the HP website. (Tried this several times) Have done all the normal things HP techs always want to do. (Turn off computer, take out battery, reset BIOS to default, etc.)

This happens whether the monitor is plugged directly into the laptop or into the laptop's docking station. It happens whether the laptop lid is open, or the laptop lid is closed. NOTE: When the laptop lid is open so that both monitors can be seen (they are cloned) the laptop monitor is unaffected - does not turn off/on when the external monitor does so.

I have two identical monitors, one running on my wife's computer. This happens with either. While the 9500's were being returned and new ones sent out, ran the same monitor on an old Sony Vaio laptop in the same manner - and did NOT have this problem. So do not believe it is a defective monitor or unique to this monitor.

Anybody else have this issue? Anybody have suggestions? Appreciate it.

PS: I don't have time to read every post on this forum, but I did do several searches in this specific (HP & Compaq) section for this issue and could not find any relevant posts. Please forgive me if there are such, and kindly point me to them.

 

Even though this SHOULD NOT be causing the issue, I would suggest checking your power management options, just to be sure the notebook is not set to turn off the screen after a certain amount of time.

I would also suggest testing on another monitor, if at all possible. Even though you tested this monitor on another notebook successfully, I've seen some funky conflicts between notebooks and monitors before (our company has one CRT that kills power to my Inspiron 5100 whenever I plug it in. I have to pull the battery and AC, hold the power button for 30 seconds, then reconnect both to be able to boot again. Nobody else had a problem with it).

 

Thain1982 - Thanks, appreciate your response. Have done both. Like I said, have two of the same monitor and have tried both. Both work perfectly OK on another computer (desktop, single monitor config), both have this problem on this laptop. Now what I don't have the ability to try is a totally different brand/model monitor. Again, thanks

 

Just wanted to bring this back up to everyone's attention. I'm still having this issue. Any more suggestions? Thanks

 

I am having the same problem on my HP dv6000 laptop. I've only connected the external monitor to the xb3000 expansion base, so I thought it was the expansion base's problem. So far I dont have a solution...

 

You by any chance using a Westinghouse monitor?
I have a Westinghouse L2046NV

 

I have the same problem with my HP NC6400 with two LG monitors and an ATI Radeon card.

 

i have EXACTLY that problem. i am in fact using westinghouse monitors. i have a lv4026nv and a lcm20v5. the hp dv9000 laptop does the random blanking thing you described (very good explaination). my toshiba tercra m4 never did that with the same monitors. unlike the toshiba, the hp runs vista.

hp support gave me a standard line when i called (i was hopeful), checking all the os settings possible. then i checked every setting 'i' could find including presentation mode etc. no good. hp had to finally give up and say they didn't know what it was. at least they admitted it.

no solution to this? pity it's a good laptop otherwise. and i know my hp is not the only one with this problem.

 

Hmm, I'm having a very similar problem with my Acer 19''.
It only happens for me when i am running a game. But im pretty sure its to do with the moniter as i set up a dual screen and played the game on the old CRT i added. but the LCD which was going black before still randomly goes black. So i can still play the game on the CRT, but everything on the LCD goes really dark or black.

Not at set intervals, completely random.

I have tried all the basic stuff but i am re-installing my drivers now.

Only happened recently since i took out my 6600GT and put it back in again as the new card i brought wont fit in.
Im thinking i have made a mistake installing or something.

Get back to me if you can help

Dan