Ultra-Thin

[Barly]

Hi, I've the following problem: My laptop (Acer Aspire S3, Windows 8.1) doesn't see my external screen anymore (Samsung P2370, connected with HDMI->DVI). It used to be fine, with plugging in and out when needed, copied or shared screens and all. Now, the computer doesn't see that there's an external monitor connected - when I try to switch between them (Function + F5), I only get the laptop's screen as a choice. No plug&play dingaling when I plug the cable in or out.

The external monitor does see a difference, though: when the cable's plugged in, it's black, and when it's out, I get the floating "check signal cable".

Sometimes, very rarely and unfortunately that last time has been a while, it does work without any problems. Sometimes, also rather rarely, the laptop shuts down when I plug the thing in (or out? forgot).

I updated the graphics driver through the device manager and while there actually was an update, it makes no difference.

I tried another cable with another monitor (which work with another computer) - same thing unfortunately.

All of this might (!) have started around the time of the latest Windows update, but this could be a coincidence only.

Where could the problem be - cable/plug, socket, Windows...?

[Acer-Ryan]

Barly,

The problem could be any one of the suggestions you made. It sounds like you have ruled out the cable and monitor being an issue. I would recommend backing up your personal data and then restoring the computer back to factory defaults using the Acer recovery management software. If the problem persists, then it could very well be a hardware issue and would require service. Please contact technical support in your region if you continue to experience this problem.

[Barly]

I was afraid so. These are the worst practical things to do, and if one doesn't take these enormous troubles, it basically means Acer can put in any scrap, because most people won't want to do that, rather do without the piece (an external screen in my case) or even buy a new computer. Extraordinarily annoying.