Member Avatar for MrBoognish

My Gateway Laptop is acting very funny. About 2 months ago I reformatted it, and itwas running perfectly. Then just the other day, I turned on the machine, watched the "gateway" screen, then watched the "Windows XP" screen (where there is a blue status bar or whatever) then....the screen went black... and made the windows welcome sound. I thought this was very strange. So I plugged an external monitor from my Desktop computer into the back, and the screen was perfectly displayed on the Desktop monitor. Is this a hardware issue with the LCD of the laptop? Is it possible it is a virus or anything? I will reformat the hard drive again to see if it helps any, even though I don't want to. Just give me any ideas if you have any

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by winiwa09

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Short, practical diagnosis and what to try next (hardware-first).

Given ’s symptom — Gateway logo and the XP progress show, then the internal LCD goes black while the machine finishes booting and the external monitor shows the desktop — the problem is far more likely to be the laptop’s internal display subsystem (backlight/inverter, panel, or the thin video cable through the hinge) than a virus. and pointed to the common software/display checks; those are fine quick checks, but the pattern you describe is classic for a hardware-only failure and worth isolating before reformatting.

A short diagnostic workflow you can apply now:

  • Flashlight test: in a dim room, shine a bright flashlight across the screen at a shallow angle. If you can faintly make out the desktop (icons, menus), the LCD is receiving video but the backlight is not lighting — likely inverter or backlight failure.
  • Hinge/flex test: with the machine powered, very gently open/close or wiggle the lid. If the image flickers or briefly returns, suspect the hinge/LVDS cable is damaged where it runs through the hinge.
  • Early-boot observation: if the built-in display shows BIOS/POST but blacks out only when Windows takes over, that narrows it toward a driver/output switch or panel electronics; if the built-in is already dark at BIOS while external works, the panel hardware is the main suspect.
  • Visual check (if comfortable): look along the hinge for a pinched or worn flat cable; do not force disassembly if you are unsure.

Repair notes and cautions: a visible faint image usually means replacing the inverter or backlight module first (cheaper than a full panel). No faint image plus no response to hinge movement usually means the panel or its driver board needs replacement. Back up data first, avoid DIY teardown if the laptop is under warranty, and seek a shop if uncertain — disassembly can cause ESD damage or void warranty. ’s Fn-toggle fix is a useful quick check, but the tests above will pinpoint whether you really have a hardware fault.

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Member Avatar for Psyrick

My Gateway Laptop is acting very funny. About 2 months ago I reformatted it, and itwas running perfectly. Then just the other day, I turned on the machine, watched the "gateway" screen, then watched the "Windows XP" screen (where there is a blue status bar or whatever) then....the screen went black... and made the windows welcome sound. I thought this was very strange. So I plugged an external monitor from my Desktop computer into the back, and the screen was perfectly displayed on the Desktop monitor. Is this a hardware issue with the LCD of the laptop? Is it possible it is a virus or anything? I will reformat the hard drive again to see if it helps any, even though I don't want to. Just give me any ideas if you have any

Try adjusting your primary display. Most laptops have functions that could easily switch between the LCD and the secondary display or even display on both. Usually it is activated by pressing a function key (a different colored key on your keyboard) to shift the function of the keys. Just press the Fn key and then press the key with the |□| sign. If at first it doesn't turn on your LCD try pressing it again until it turns on. I hope this solves your problem. ;)

Member Avatar for BinaryMayhem

intresting... try booting in safe mode. it sounds like there is a hardware issue some where. maybe the resolution is too high? or mabye there is no display driver installed?
I dont think it has to do with being in the secondary display mode because you see the screen when it turns on.

using your monitor go to display properties and poke around in there... click on the monitor tab and make sure it finds your lcd screen.
(right click desktop) properties > settings > advanced > monitor.

Member Avatar for Psyrick

intresting... try booting in safe mode. it sounds like there is a hardware issue some where. maybe the resolution is too high? or mabye there is no display driver installed?
I dont think it has to do with being in the secondary display mode because you see the screen when it turns on.

using your monitor go to display properties and poke around in there... click on the monitor tab and make sure it finds your lcd screen.
(right click desktop) properties > settings > advanced > monitor.

Just a quick question... Can the resolution be set too high for a "built-in" LCD Screen? I mean, if this would be the case then definitely there should be something on it, a flicker perhaps. I really think he should try the function sequence first before trying to do anything else. if it fails then try some other method. Some problems can be solved by just by pushing some buttons if that fails then it's time to go to the harder solution. ;)

FYI: The POST can be seen in the primary display even if the secondary is the default. After POST it switches to the secondary display.:idea:

Member Avatar for lolli_pop_guild

This worked for me. Apparently, I didn't know I hit that key combination the first time (or one of my kids). Thank you!

Member Avatar for harry11

kindly take of the battery and fix it back or better still unplug the screen connector on the bored,brush very well and fix it back....

Member Avatar for KevinMartin

I think it is like a power adjustment problem .So you have to correct it first.

Member Avatar for winiwa09

Hi members ............................................................................................
Softany Monitor Control is a tray program that help you manually turn off your computer's monitor, manually start any screensaver installed in your system rather than waiting for a number of minutes; quick change screensaver settings; automatically disable screensaver and power scheme so that you can easily get rid of their harassing while watching DVD or TV on your computer, etc. (keywords:start screensaver, disable
by regards
anglish512
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