Lost Video Compal PBL21

I have a problem, which I have seen a couple times before, but is always maddening and unpredictable where upon booting the laptop there is no video.

The system fully boots as I can hear Windows load, but no matter what I do I can not get any response from the display.

I have tried removing hdd(s), memory, batteries, and re-seating the display cable.

In the past after numerous reboots and numerous alterations to what is plugged in at a given time the default setup will appear and I get going from there.

Is anyone else experiencing this behavior? I assume there is a faulty connection somewhere, but I'm hoping to avoid tearing it down to find it.

Thanks

 

When you don't have any output before/during POST, e.g. do not see RAM being checked or manufacturer logo right after turning it on, you will have to open it.

If it turns black during booting of OS, it might be a driver issue.

How does it go with an external display?

Cheers

 

No video through either the vga connector or hdmi. I even removed the connection to the lcd (off the motherboard) so it would favor the external display by default.

There is no video period before or after the OS is loaded so not a driver issue.

I also installed another hdd with win7 build from another laptop with intel graphics (hoping it would rely on the intel graphics instead of the nvidia) that also boots fine but still no video.

This goes without saying but attempted accessing the bios throughout all scenarios.

At this point I think I'm going to call this one a defective motherboard.

 

I have salvaged the Compal PBL21 to the point where it is now functioning as a VMware ESXi 5.0 server, (no requirement for video) albeit an expensive one at that.

I likely won't be on these forums much as I will not likely buy another Compal product. Good luck to those of you who have them, I hope you don't suffer my fate.

 

I agree, looks like video or motherboard chip fails.

Nothing you can do about it if you are out of warranty.

Good luck!

 

I have not given up yet, it occurred to me I could try what I did with my PS3 and reflow the GPU soldier. I will keep anyone interested posted.

 

No luck with the reflow.

 

Well as a complete surprise while starting up my ESXi server (the Compal PBL21) this evening the video decided to come back. I still have no idea how it came back so I can only assume it came back because of all my clean living!