Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

What can cause my laptop to do this


Go To Girl

Recommended Posts

I always hibernate my computer when I get off of it and when I go to restart it, the screen has a weird looking blob in the middle of the window start screen - nothing that blocks anything, but it almost looks like it could be a water splotch (it's not). Then when I sign on, there's a bunch of flickering. Eventually it stabilizes.

And who can fix it for me

Link to comment
Share on other sites

flickering and splotches sounds like it may possibly be a graphical problem, either with the driver or the hardware. What are the specs of your computer? brand? (assuming Acer) I can probably troubleshoot it since I had to go through something similiar with my Dell laptop late last year. (ended up having to change the graphics card, but some laptops use on-board graphics thus why I asked for the pc specs.) a link to your laptops specs would be helpful.

...my first post after re-registering is about a PC, this is like being at work :/

-DP

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've had the computer for abut 11 months - it's just a cheapie that I don't use for anything but e-mail, web surfing, and some word processing stuff. It did it yesterday, although this morning when I signed on, it did not.

Acer Extensa 4420-5237

Technical specifications

Screen Size 14.1-inch

Processor AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor TK-57

Processor Speed 1.9GHz

System Memory (RAM) 2GB, User upgradeable up to 4GB (one 2GB memory card in each slot)

Type of Memory (RAM) DDR2 667 SDRAM

Hard Drive Size 160GB

CD/DVD Drive integrated Super-Multi drive (DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM)

Graphics Integrated ATI Radeon X1250 graphics

Wireless Networking Acer InviLink 802.11b/g wireless LAN, Acer SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency, WI-FI CERTIFIED

Audio Two integrated Acer 3DSonic stereo speakers

Ports DC-In : 1, RJ-11 modem, RJ-45 LAN, VGA, Headphones/speakers/line-out , Microphone/line-in, FireWire (IEEE 1394), FIR (fast infrared) , Four USB 2.0

PCMCIA Slots 5-in-1 card reader for optional MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO or xD-Picture Card,Type II PC Card slot

Notebook Weight 5.3 lb. (2.4kg)

Here's a link to some reviews that also talks about specs http://www.digitgeek.com/acer-extensa-4420-review/

and http://www.laptopreviewsonline.com/AcerLaptop/Extensa4420/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always hibernate my computer when I get off of it and when I go to restart it, the screen has a weird looking blob in the middle of the window start screen - nothing that blocks anything, but it almost looks like it could be a water splotch (it's not). Then when I sign on, there's a bunch of flickering. Eventually it stabilizes.

And who can fix it for me

Either your video card is going bad or your power supply is going on you. Do you have any S-Video/HDMi/etc outs on your laptop? If so, plug it into your tv and see if you get any weirdness.

This screen glitch is a common issue with Acer laptops and if you're out of warranty, you're out of luck basically. It looks like you're running onboard graphics. What that means is that your graphics card is hardwired to your motherboard as opposed to a separate card that is attached to your motherboard. In essence, you'd have to replace the motherboard if your graphics processor is shot. If that is the case, it'd be easier to just buy a new computer.

If you're interested in doing that, let me know and I can help you find a really good deal. For instance, my laptop is a 17" HP with 4GB of ram that only cost me $600 brand new.

So let me know!

EDIT: By the way, if you are out of warranty and you contact Acer tech support, they may try to charge you just to discuss the problem with you. Don't do that. Also, do not take it to a place like Geek Squad if you do decide you want to try and get an estimate on repairing it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm still under warranty for about 3 more weeks. My husband things it's the connection between my LCD screen and the keyboard. He had an IBM work computer that did very similar things years ago (sometimes my computer screen goes black when it is moved as well and the flickering resumes). His got fixed.

Because of this problem, I'm toying with purchasing an extended warranty for my computer. I can still do it through the Acer site up until 365 days after the date I bought it. I bought it on Valentine's Day last year. I can get a regular one for $99 or one that include accidental coverage for $199. Normally I don't do that kind of thing, but now it seem like it will be money well spent. I only spent about $500 on this computer, I don't need anything much for what my needs are so I'd just as soon just have it fixed under warranty and then purchase the extended warranty to keep it running a couple more years.

I will try to plug it into a TV and see what happens. That's a good idea. I think I have inputs. That would help me decide if it's the connection.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I got my e-mail response back from them - they told me to try re-installing my video card driver. When I restarted my computer after that, I had no flickering or blotches. I think it's still too soon to tell though, but it would be wonderful if that was it. I've even tried doing some of the things that would trigger it before - like moving the screen, and it's been ok.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wasn't it - Acer told me to take it to Best Buy for service and Best Buy told me that it was most likely a loose connection to the mother board, mother board going bad, or a graphics problem but that yes indeed it is covered by warranty. They also told me that this is not common for Acers, but when I mentioned to the guy that I could still purchase an extended warranty for my computer for as little as $99 and I thought I might do that as extra assurance, he agreed it might be a good thing. Now for the sad part - my computer has to be sent off for service and it could be gone for 4 weeks. We've got a desktop, but who wants to use that. I might just die. I'm on my husband's laptop now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

flickering and splotches sounds like it may possibly be a graphical problem, either with the driver or the hardware. What are the specs of your computer? brand? (assuming Acer) I can probably troubleshoot it since I had to go through something similiar with my Dell laptop late last year. (ended up having to change the graphics card, but some laptops use on-board graphics thus why I asked for the pc specs.) a link to your laptops specs would be helpful.

...my first post after re-registering is about a PC, this is like being at work :/

-DP

welcome back deadpool

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • The Seahawks won an emotional, divisional, overtime rivalry game vs the Rams on a Thursday night (Dec 18).  That gives them 10 days to prepare for the Panthers, but the Christmas holiday fell a week later--I bet they were afforded an extra day for travel-many coming back east.  Following the Panthers, Seattle plays at San Francisco for the division title (in all probability).   The Rams finish the season with games against the Falcons and Cardinals, two likely wins, pushing them to 13-4.  The Niners finish the season with home games against the Bears and Seahawks. Seattle finishes the season with the Panthers on the road and SF in California.   It is easy to see how preparing for the Panthers, during the holiday break and with the Niners waiting for them in SF a week later for (what could be) the NFC West title and #1 Seed in the NFC, could create the perfect trap game scenario.  The Panthers at home are 5-2.   In the past 2 weeks, the Seahawks struggled to beat the Phillip Rivers Colts in Seattle and then pulled off a miraculous, emotional victory at home vs. the Rams.  I am not convinced that they are as good as advertised. Seattle is a TD favorite in Charlotte.  I feel that Carolina by 3 may be more accurate.  While I am still not confident in this team's consistency and it never seems to dominate, it sure feels like a trap game for Seattle to me.  How could they NOT be thinking of San Francisco right now?  They are not used to being in this position (current players) and it is human nature.  Carolina 27, Seattle 24. 
    • It is a tough decision.  There is another factor.  Is he in game shape?  A tired Hunt is not better than an "in-shape" Corbett.  When coming off an injury, it is natural to want to protect the injured area, even if it is completely healed.  This can cause you to contort your body for no reason, lose fundamentals, and it could lead to other injuries.  For example, I had a knee in high school that required getting taped.  That made me aware of the knee (not used to tape on my knee) and I pulled my groin (favoring or dragging the leg with the tape).  The trainer explained the groin injury the way I do here--but scared money makes no money.  If he is cleared to play, he is cleared to play.  Watch him, rotate him in for a series, etc.  Specifically, I would want to watch the matchup--who is winning more--Corbett or Hunt?  How is the defense reacting (if at all) to Hunt being in?  Etc.  
    • Shannon was sued for $50 million (settled out of court, I believe) for forcing sex on his girlfriend during a two-year relationship.  He denies it, but ESPN let him go last April.  Chad Johnson's wife filed a police report because he head-butted her in a car and was put on probation. I had to google it.  I watched the Ray Rice video and when you see it, you realize just how vile and cowardly abusing a woman really is.  But for the same point Aussie tried to make, these women are defenseless, and being phyiscally bigger and stronger does not validate your actions.   I can't even stand to watch Steve Smith.  I can't normalize this kind of behavior--again, I do not think R-P had that in mind when he posted this.  When the reason was exposed, we should realize that we are talking life (quality of) and death (in some cases) here.  
×
×
  • Create New...