Hi, Peter,
Thank you for your advice. The fans were running fine, so I cleaned all
the vents and set the computer on a rafia mat to give it more air
circulation.
The flicker and fade has ceased!
Unfortunately, now I have a new issue: the computer turns itself off.
It will do it after a few minutes, or sometimes after an hour. It
doesn't matter whether or not I'm on line. It just turns itself off.
When I re-start, everything proceeds as normal, until it decides to turn
itself off again. Any advice?
Thank you,]
Erif.
On 3/23/2013 10:04 PM, Peter Ekkerman wrote:
> Hi Erif,
>
> Sounds like video card problems. Unfortunately somewhat common on the Inspiron line.
> Overheating of the video section can cause the same symptoms.
> Make sure that all vents are clean and free of obstructions and that the cooling fans are running.
>
> While it's certainly possible that an update installed the wrong drivers - which Microsoft did a few times to me
> with the ATI drivers, the fact that it happens after using the laptop for some time ,makes me believe it's heat related.
> This could be the graphics processor or video RAM as well that are affected.
>
> Try the cleanup and fan check first .Also do a temperature and voltage check of the internals -
> I think you have a Dell utility for that on the laptop.
> If no luck ,the video card may have to be replaced. While it can be done ,it's a tricky job for an inexperienced person.
>
> Other things to try:
> To exclude problems with the display screen and its connections, set the video output to external and connect
> an external monitor to the video connector of the laptop.
> Go to the Dell Support page and input your model. http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19?c=us&l=en&s=dhs
> Check Dell forums http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/default.aspx
>
> Make sure you have no malware running anywhere. If not done yet ,do a thorough scan.
> While I haven't personally experienced video corruption due to a virus ,
> I have it from several reports that drivers can be (were) corrupted because of a virus.
>
> Peter E.
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Erif"
> Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 1:41 PM
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: [PCBUILD] screen flicker & fade
>
> While I am working on my computer, a Dell laptop Inspiron with Windows XP, the screen will begin to flicker.If I do not quickly shut down all programs and power off, the screen will begin to turn magenta, all images fade away, and the cursor will become more or less "stuck."Sometimes I have to do an emergency shut-down.
>
> Has anyone else experienced this?
> Is it hardware or software?
> Is my computer dying, or is there a fix?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Erif Thunen.
>
>
>
> The NOSPIN Group has added a new feature on our website,
> web based bulletinboard for questions and answers:
> Visit our sister website at http://nospin.com
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.455 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/5693 - Release Date: 03/20/13 18:57:00
>
PCBUILD's List Owners:
Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
Mark Rode<[log in to unmask]>
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