Vista - Monitor/Screen Black-outs

Dear Vista Forum Users

I have finally found out why my monitor/Screen kept blacking-out during use, it was a simple mistake that could be made by any-one and I would like to share this small problem with those that have had the samw problem.

The problem was I wasn't down-loading updates of Windows Vista regularly and this was causing the black-outs.

If any one else has been in this position you may keep quite and allow other not so smart people, like myself suffer frustration and anxiety to the fullest.

I would like to hear from any one else that has been in this situation, and if i have been able to help some one else that has had this problem.

Thanks for puting up with my sillyness


Regards




Island/Island

Ummm, I have more than a couple of machines that don't get updated regularly, and yet none of them blackout unless they go to sleep and / or have the power options set to turn off the monitor after a specified period of inactivity.

Dear Johngalt


Thanks for the information it was very helpfull, but now I am wondering what else is going on with my computer. I don't think I have changed any of the setting or switches or maybe I may have unknowingly.

The problem was fine yesterday but today it is back and I have already had a few blackouts.

I am at a loss to what I can do to fix this, I have been in touch with the people who I purchased this computer from and they have not provided me with information yet so maybe they are still assessing this problem.

I am not that computer savy so I am thinking it may take some time for me to solve this problem.

Another problem we had was the printer was not print good, but after I installed the updates we had better printing results.

Thanks for your responce, I hop you will keep in touch and share your knowledge and help me with my problem.


Thanks again,



Island/Island

question, are these long black outs or just quick little blinkish type of black outs, because today I've been getting fast little ones occasionally. I would probably miss it if I was blinking at the same time.

Dear Marrypoppins,



Marrypoppins the blackouts I have been experiencing are permanent ones, the only way I am able to restore the screen is to switch it off and restart it.

It has happened to me twice today and has not occurred again?.

This problem seemed to be fixed after I installed windows updates, maybe that had some thing to do with it.

Will keep up posted about this problem, I also have been in touch with the people I purchased this computer from, but as yet we are unable to sort it out.


Keep in touch, I appreciate your input,


Thanks



Island/Island

Microsoft updates can cause as many problems as they solve if you just let them install them selves.

Set the update to notify and install the updates that you need.

As to getting black screens it sounds as you need to reinstall your graphics drivers.
The flashes marrypoppins is getting sounds like the video ram refreshing. This can happen when closing a fullscreen app. Another reason for this is when the cable is loose.

I doubt its a loose cable considering the only wire from my laptop is the battery, and I know when that one gets loose. Usually it happens when Im opening or refreshing a web page.

What video card are you using? and how old is your laptop.
If you are using a Nvidia 8500 or 8600 laptop card I think you might have issues with your video card as these cards seem to have a defective chip and there have been alot of reports on this at the moment.
Do a google search for know problems on your Laptop and video card.

I use a Dell Inspirion 1525, with a Intel GM965 Graphich driver. I think it may have to do with after upgrade install I had to reinstall everything, and I may have done it out of order (idk what the proper order is). Is there way to unistall just the drivers and utilities part? My lap top is pretty new too, I just got it in May this year.

I had a mate with a similar problem and he took his laptop back and turned out the screen was faulty and they ended up replacing the screen, maybe this is your problem too. If you still have warranty I think this should be your first step.