HP Laptop issues with video card

[Dreadist]

Hello,

So recently I got a HP laptop to work on and it seems that I can't quite tackle the problem, did diagnostics on the CPU and RAM and everything came out good, as soon as I ran FurMark I get a white screen like its frozen and it has these diagonal lines running across (I would post up some pictures later when I get the chance.) Anyways I just need a second opinion to tackle this problem, my guess is either A. An overheat problem or B. Screen ribbon or something came lose inside the laptop or C. Graphics card is close to being dead. Also the problem only happens when something involving the graphics happens or after some time being idle.

 

[Easy PC]

HP laptops are well known for overheating issues and graphic issues. You could try cleaning out the fan, and re-pasting the cpu.

 

[red12049]

Sheesh.

Dreadlist...if someone called you and said "My computer is doing so and so", wouldn't one of your first questions be the model of the computer?

Have you even tried an external monitor yet?

And EasyPc, do ALL HP laptops have a reputation for overheating and graphics problems?

Is this the new level of competence for PC techs?

Rick

 

[16k_zx81]

Sheesh.

Dreadlist...if someone called you and said "My computer is doing so and so", wouldn't one of your first questions be the model of the computer?

Have you even tried an external monitor yet?

And EasyPc, do ALL HP laptops have a reputation for overheating and graphics problems?

Is this the new level of competence for PC techs?

Rick

OP if you want technical help you need to post appropriately. You should cover the basic information about the machine ("its an HP laptop" does not cover it), and also list all the things you have tried, in your original post, to save people covering the same ground twice.

Common courtesy would usually also dictate you had at least attempted the basic fixes, and listed them, in your original post.

in this instance the most basic and fundamental step to have taken would have been to (a) try the machine on an external monitor, and (b) if it worked OK on the external, tried a known good screen on the unit itself.

FYI, if the external output is no good then generally this would indicate a chipset issue.

You should also consider that not all laptops have a 'video card'. Most laptops have an integrated graphics chip which is soldered onto the motherboard. Some have a discrete GPU, which in instances like this could be swapped out. Without a discrete GPU, you would be looking at replacing the board.

..

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[coffee]

re-pasting the cpu.

What pray tell do you use? Elmer's Glue?

 

[Dreadist]

Sheesh.

Dreadlist...if someone called you and said "My computer is doing so and so", wouldn't one of your first questions be the model of the computer?

Have you even tried an external monitor yet?

And EasyPc, do ALL HP laptops have a reputation for overheating and graphics problems?

Is this the new level of competence for PC techs?

Rick

Yes I covered all basics, I just needed a second opinion no need to bash me for it, I apologize for not posting all information but I was in a hurry and forgot to mention it in my post. And as I said I belive it does have to be with that graphics chip, just needed that second opinion.

OP if you want technical help here you need to post appropriately. You should cover the basic information about the machine ("its an HP laptop" does not cover it), and also list all the things you have tried, in your original post, to save people covering the same ground twice.

Common courtesy would usually also dictate you had at least attempted the basic fixes, and listed them, in your original post.

in this instance the most basic and fundamental step to have taken would have been to (a) try the machine on an external monitor, and (b) if it worked OK on the external, tried a known good screen on the unit itself.

FYI, if the external output is no good then generally this would indicate a chipset issue.

You should also consider that not all laptops have a 'video card'. Most laptops have an integrated graphics chip which is soldered onto the motherboard. Some have a discrete GPU, which in instances like this could be swapped out. Without a discrete GPU, you would be looking at replacing the board.

Once I again I apologize, I was in a hurry, I did cover all basics hooked up an external screen,tried stress testing the graphics chip, tried to recreate the problem, updated drivers, etc... So I currently do belive it does have to do with the graphics chip I just needed that second opinion, and I thank you for your input. The laptop is an HP Pavilion DV6500 which has the "NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS" graphics chip, and I am aware of HPs with overheating issues and chipset being defective, but as I mention before just needed that second opinion, thank you all for your input.

 

[compnet]

Wow, what's happening to TN.. I thought I was supposed to be the dick.

A) no you really don't need to know the exact model to help out. he gave a decent description of the problem and steps taken so far, better than half the posts here. No I rarely ask what model the computer is, most people dont know either, and cant look to find out."my compute has a virus" "ok, what's the model so we can property figure this out"

B)no, not every hp has gpu issues.. but let's be honest, 90% of techs if they hear hp and video problem, are all thinking the same thing.

C)I would probably repaste with oh I dunno, thermal paste?

Sheesh is right...


For the op, you tested the RAM, I'm guessing with memtest,and hopefully for a while.. did the video bug out for that? Have you tried leaving YouTube playing in ubuntu to rule out a driver issue? I know you updated the driver, but that's pretty much my only guess besides the gpu going out if it does it on external as well.

 

[Kitten Kong]

A) no you really don't need to know the exact model to help out. he gave a decent description of the problem and steps taken so far, better than half the posts here. No I rarely ask what model the computer is, most people dont know either, and cant look to find out."my compute has a virus" "ok, what's the model so we can property figure this out"

I think its best if we do have the model number from the tech. Posts asking for help, should at least post a full description of the make, model, symptoms, and what they have or have not done to affect the repair.

A lot of techs here do just this, however some do not, hence why the posts about asking for more information.

Obviously we are not going to ask our clients the model, if its a software issue, ie virus removal.

If its hardware, and the OP can not repair the system, then we could trawl through our notes on different machines, to say, well have you tried this, or that. It worked for us.

Much along the lines of dismantling a keyboard.. There could be a hidden screw, which the OP can not locate, yet someone else who has stripped this make and model down, could say, well its here.

B)no, not every hp has gpu issues.. but let's be honest, 90% of techs if they hear hp and video problem, are all thinking the same thing.

Not every HP has graphics issues, is correct, although the majority of the old DV series does, you have to admit that. If the OP had mentioned it was a DV series laptop, it could of saved a great deal of time, in getting to the root cause of the issue. As soon as I hear HP DV graphics issues, I immediately think of the nvidia chipset as the main cause, as I think the majority of techs here would too.

 

[16k_zx81]

A) no you really don't need to know the exact model to help out. he gave a decent description of the problem and steps taken so far, better than half the posts here. No I rarely ask what model the computer is, most people dont know either, and cant look to find out."my compute has a virus" "ok, what's the model so we can property figure this out"

Yeah mate, its a 'laptop video card' problem. So it would be useful to know, at the outset, if the laptop has a 'video card' or not. Hence the question of what model we are talking about.

 

[NYJimbo]

A lot of really good techs on this forum won't even bother responding if you dont provide a make and model when asking for help on a possible hardware problem. I sometimes will remind the OP that we need that info, but most of the time I will just go on to the next thread.

 

[mraikes]

....snipped..... I rarely ask what model the computer is, most people dont know either, and cant look to find out.

A lot of really good techs on this forum won't even bother responding if you dont provide a make and model when asking for help on a possible hardware problem. I sometimes will remind the OP that we need that info, but most of the time I will just go on to the next thread.

I also rarely ask end users the make and model unless it's critical. BUT this forum isn't for a person unable to figure out such things. When a tech calls me, make and model are nearly always the first thing I ask.

NYJimbo hit it on the nose. Help might be offered without hardware details, but it's more likely to be offered (and of value) if details are included from the start.