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    SZ Screen turns black at random

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Chaos_2k, Jul 21, 2008.

  1. Chaos_2k

    Chaos_2k Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,

    i have a strange problem with my vaio sz4 series notebook.

    I am running vista and when on battery the screen will sometimes turn black (rarely gray, sometimes light blue??), however the backlight (LED) is still on.

    I already verified that the system works normal under these conditions, besides i have no screen, so i can save any open files etc.

    The only solution to resolve this status is to set the notebook in to energy savings mode and then wake it up again (Power Button does the job for me). It continues to work normal untill the next "crash" of this kind.

    I noticed these crashes tend to happen more often while watching Videos and i think they only happen when im using the Intel graphics.


    Does anyone know what i can do about that?

    PS: Could anyone give me a hint about SP1 on SZ4?
     
    Chaos_2k, Jul 21, 2008
    #1
  2. drake437

    drake437 Notebook Consultant

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    What graphics card does it have?
     
    drake437, Jul 21, 2008
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  3. Chaos_2k

    Chaos_2k Notebook Enthusiast

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    the above mentioned behaviour seems only to occur when using the intel gma 950. The newest driver is already installed for it.
     
    Chaos_2k, Jul 22, 2008
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  4. Chaos_2k

    Chaos_2k Notebook Enthusiast

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    Anyone?
    I'll try turning off the screen expansion feature in bios, as it might somehow relate to these issues, even though im using windows in native resolutuion
     
    Chaos_2k, Jul 24, 2008
    #4
  5. Red_Dragon

    Red_Dragon Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    maybe it's giving you a message about the new X files movie coming out :D
     
    Red_Dragon, Jul 24, 2008
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  6. ShinyFalcon

    ShinyFalcon Notebook Consultant

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    I recall the same thing happening with my Inspiron 6000, except the color was a dark green. It seems to occur at random. At the time I downloaded the latest drivers from Intel, but I had some problems with it (performance issues) and reverted back to manufacturer's drivers. I don't recall having a problem since then.
     
    ShinyFalcon, Jul 24, 2008
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  7. Chaos_2k

    Chaos_2k Notebook Enthusiast

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    @Red_Dragon: maybe ^^

    Thanks for your suggestion shiny, i might give it a try and install factory drivers. Dont think theres any difference in performance that i would need with the integrated anyway.
     
    Chaos_2k, Jul 25, 2008
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  8. miki69

    miki69 Notebook Evangelist

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    had similar problem with my old FZ as I have downloaded and installed non Sony drivers (screen would blink from time to time, and would scared sh*t out of me), everything was ok, when I have reinstalled "original" drivers from Sony's support webpage.

    BR
    Miki
     
    miki69, Jul 25, 2008
    #8
  9. Chaos_2k

    Chaos_2k Notebook Enthusiast

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    hi miki,
    thank you very much for your input. I will post back when i have done some testing with the original sony drivers!
     
    Chaos_2k, Jul 26, 2008
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  10. Neredera

    Neredera Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have exactly the same problem with my SZ92S. I have it since my last reinstall (Vista).
     
    Neredera, Jul 28, 2008
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  11. clappertown

    clappertown Newbie

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    My SZ-240 has similar problem. It occasionally shows gray or flickering screen when I unplug AC power to switch it into battery mode. And this only happens when using Intel graphics but not nvidia Go7400...
     
    clappertown, Jul 29, 2008
    #11
  12. Chaos_2k

    Chaos_2k Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi, it seems my problems are fixed by installing sony's drivers (from the support center) for my sz4.
     
    Chaos_2k, Aug 8, 2008
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  13. Chaos_2k

    Chaos_2k Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,
    just want to reject my own answer, as the problem is still occuring to me. I didnt notice in the first place.
     
    Chaos_2k, Nov 15, 2008
    #13