P650HS-G - Display powers on but no image, what can I try to do to fix?

Hi all,

First, a quick setup description in case it happens to be helpful; I usually keep the computer plugged into a monitor via HDMI and use the laptop display as a second screen. Last night, and I forget the exact circumstances but I noticed the boot image / loading screen show up on the external monitor for the first time. A little unusual since previously, even when plugged into the monitor, the boot screen usually shows up on the laptop display no matter what but whatever.

Unfortunately I can't pull up the version number now but Nvidia drivers are not currently up to date as the last time I updated the drivers, I started suffering from random reboots whenever the laptop display or external monitor goes to sleep. So I started keeping the computer and monitor on during the day putting the thing to sleep at night.

The issue
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Now, no image shows up on the screen . I've tried restarting multiple times , disconnecting the external monitor, starting up while not plugged into power and I still can't get something to show up.

The laptop monitor is clearly receiving power and the external monitor appears to still be able to get a signal(though sometimes it does fail but no image is able to show up on there either anyways) .

Aside from the lack of an image, the only other weird thing is that on the laptop monitor, I have noticed a swath of green lines show up from a reboot from time to time, but it usually goes away.

I can't can't get the bios to show up either(been pressing f2 during bootup, not sure if that happens to be the wrong key for this model)

I'm stumped and not sure what else I can do. It was fine during that very same day.

Anyone have any suggestions? Or is it time for a new computer?

Thanks so much for any help!

 

Could be the GPU dying, were you in dedicated mode or Optimus?

 

I can't remember but likely it was dedicated mode.

 

If you could use the manual you could try blind changing the setting if the bios is loading.

 

GaGh! finally got lucky and manged to get the bios to show up on the monitor. Appreciate the suggestion, I totally didn't think of trying to switch modes. Switched to MSHybrid and after a brief panic attack due to nothing showing up on the screen after saving the settings and rebooting, I now somehow, have something on the screen.

Quickly backing up any work before continuing diagnosing but some interesting notes

• Built-display appears to be dead now, back-lighting isn't even working but HDMI output is working and I have an image on the external monitor. I saw in Device manager that one of the display drivers had gotten corrupted somehow so I thought that could be the reason. Windows managed to fix it but still no change.
• Laptop screen doesn't even register as connected, I don't see the setting in settings that lets you change arrangement, etc.

Really weird part is, I "should" be on Optimus/MSHybrid but I still have access to the Nvidia control panel; isn't that supposed to not show up when using Optimus/MSHybrid?

 

For ****s and giggles I tried switching back to discrete mode via Control center and magically things still booted(though laptop screen still appears non functional) and things are REALLY weird, in discrete mode, the Nvidia control panel software doesn't appear to be installed like it used to and device manager lists the GPU as not having any drivers installed.

Oh well, I guess we can consider this mostly solved though I supposed I should start shopping for a backup before failure REALLY hits.

 

The driver still shows a limited menu in Optimus mode as there are 3d settings to choose and Optimus too. Could be the panel itself or cable has issues.

 

I second this and think it's probably a loose connection on the cabling or it's possible the panel itself depending on age. It could be a quick fix with a cable/panel replacement. Doesn't really sound like the guts are an issue if it's booting and displaying on an external monitor though. The cables are kind of flimsy especially if you open / close the lid often the bends could deteriorate the cable in the hinge area to the point of failure. The good thing though is the cables are only $20-$40 depending on where you get them. If you're going to go through the hassle of replacing the cable you should consider upgrading the panel while you have things pulled apart.

 

The bezel and panel are pretty easy to get at.