Screen flickers and goes black

Mmmarko

Hello

I have an Acer Travelmate and Windows 7 and have used it for years without.  However, a problem that crops up a couple of times is that, while I am working, the screen will flicker and go dark.  Actually, it's more of a light-ish dark.  However, when I plug the computer into an external monitor or TV (via HDMI), the screen comes back on and works for a while.  Also, if I hit fn+F4, and reboot, it temporarily solves the problem, but it recurs.

The last time this happened, I fixed it by doing a system restore to a previous version on windows 7.  I tried that but the problem still persists.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

RanY2J

First place to look for would be upgrading your graphics card man. Graphics card needs to be surely updated. I highly recommend re-installing your video card driver. Do that and let me know if that fixes the problem? Also it looks like the problem is oriented with the display hardware as well. Let's see.

Mmmarko

I updated the display driver.  For those that are experiencing the same problem:

1.  Go to Control Panel > Device Manager > Display Adapters
2.  Right click on your graphics card (mine was Intel(R) Graphics 3000) and select 'Update Driver Software...' and follow the instructions.

The process will examine your driver, scan for updates, download and install the updated driver and then restart.

Shazam!

Mmmarko

Tragically, the problem has recurred.  If this is indeed a hardware problem, I would need to know what the appropriate replacement part(s) would be, how to find them and perhaps a short video link on how to switch the part out.

Sharanji

Mmmarko 

Please us know the full model number of your  device.
Also, check the BIOS version installed on your device.

Mmmarko

BIOS Version/Date: Insyde Corp. V1.15, 4/15/2013
SMBIOS Version 2.7

Travelmate X483 series
Model No. Z09
SNID: 30806722676

Mmmarko

According to the Acer website I have the latest bios, V 1.15.

Mmmarko

If it is of any help, the problem occurs most frequently with the opening/closing of the the laptop.

Mmmarko

If it would help I would not be opposed to upgrading to Windows 10.  

RanY2J

Possible a graphics card hardware issue. You've Intel Graphics right? Why don't you run a Intel Hardware Diagnosis? Just Google the same.

JackE

>>>if it is of any help, the problem occurs most frequently with the opening/closing of the the laptop. >>>

Common issue. You need to replace your lcd ribbon cable. Intermittent breaks in conductor traces, usually in the hinge area, can occur from opening & closing the lid too many times.  Jack E/NJ

Mmmarko

JackE said:

>>>if it is of any help, the problem occurs most frequently with the opening/closing of the the laptop. >>>

Common issue. You need to replace your lcd ribbon cable. Intermittent breaks in conductor traces, usually in the hinge area, can occur from opening & closing the lid too many times.  Jack E/NJ

I would understand this if the black screen was totally black.  However it is a glowing black that you get when you hook up your computer to a projector.  If it was a physical break, why does plugging it in to another monitor address the problem?  I think the issue is more of a software based problem.  Somehow the computer thinks that it is hooked up to a projector and switches its monitor to 'standby' mode.

JackE

>>> If it was a physical break, why does plugging it in to another monitor address the problem?>>>

If you mean another monitor in another HDMI or VGA port works fine, then that only suggests the graphics adapter is OK. Trace breaks in a video ribbon LCD cable from this adapter don't always happen to the ribbon's traces that power the LED backlight. Jack E/NJ PS: The only other suggestion is that the Fn+F5 toggle key combo was somehow accidentally activated to turn the lid screen off --- in which case it can be turned on again by toggling it again.

Masongo

Kindly assist me I seem to be facing the same problem

JackE

Masongo

This thread is more than two years old. It's best for you to start your own new thread to get help from more ACER users. Also state your full ACER model number. Jack E/NJ