Member Avatar for tracey1302

Hey everyone!

I'm new to the forum but am seeking some advice on my laptop.

Just this afternoon, I came home from a week's holiday and turned on my computer. The computer sounds as though it's booting up normally, it's responsive to its power cable and makes the usual whirring noises it makes when it's booting up. But there is a black screen. Nothing at all is happening on screen.

Does it sound like my video card is broken?

I'm trying to avoid having to pay a fortune for a consultation with computer a fixing company, so I can just tell them what is wrong with it and ask for a replacement video card, and for them to install that for me.

If you think that this is what's wrong with it, could you give me an idea of how much a new video card will cost. I'm a student so I hope it's not that much and I need my laptop all the time!

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Several people in this thread (notably , , and ) describe the same pattern: the laptop powers up (fans, LEDs, DVD) but the internal screen is black, or shows a green/flickery image with a vertical band, and an external monitor can be driven. That pattern normally points to the display subsystem — the LCD panel, the panel’s power/inverter, or the flat (LVDS) cable/connector — rather than the video chipset or a virus.

Try this focused diagnostic sequence (cheap and quick checks first):

  • Confirm POST with an external monitor. If the COMPAQ/BIOS screen and Windows appear on the external display, the GPU/motherboard is likely outputting video.
  • Flashlight test: in a dark room, shine a bright light close to the screen. If you can faintly make out the desktop or BIOS, the panel is receiving image data but the backlight/inverter is dead.
  • Gently move the lid near the hinges while the machine is on (use caution). If the internal picture changes or flickers, the LVDS cable or its hinge-area strain relief is a likely culprit.
  • Locate the display-toggle key (look for the monitor icon on an Fn key) to make sure you’re not simply routed to an external output.
  • If the external monitor is also dead, stop further disassembly and get a bench diagnosis — that points toward motherboard/GPU failure.

Repair guidance and practical notes: panel, inverter or cable swaps are commonly successful and usually cheaper than replacing a mainboard. Many R3000-era GPUs are soldered to the motherboard, so a “video card” swap often means a full mainboard replacement (rarely cost-effective). If opening the lid yourself, remove AC and battery first, ground yourself, and note the full part number printed on the back of the LCD before ordering a replacement. Ask any shop to confirm the failing component by testing with a known-good panel/cable before charging for parts.

Backup important data before any repair. When getting quotes, request a short written diagnostic (failed component, part number, labor) so you can compare replacing the screen/cable versus replacing the whole laptop.

Recommended Answers

All 11 Replies

Member Avatar for pja67

On this topic, I just accidentally created a black screen with my presario r3000 when I booted up. The last thing I did on the laptop before shutting down was disable the default monitor. Is there a way to enable it from the black screen, for example a hotkey or something? Any help would be greatly appreciated. PJA67

Member Avatar for dogbreath077

After you boot up, hit <fn F7> and see if it helps. This key combination cycles the video card through internal, external and no monitor. While doing this, have another nmonitor plugged into the rear video port.c This will let you know if your video card is any good.. Also, check to see if the little lid switch is stuck down. Most laptops have a switch that depresses when the lid is closed, and this can turn off the monitor also. Try and repost please, good luck.

Member Avatar for uhuburu

After you boot up, hit <fn F7> and see if it helps. This key combination cycles the video card through internal, external and no monitor. While doing this, have another nmonitor plugged into the rear video port.c This will let you know if your video card is any good.. Also, check to see if the little lid switch is stuck down. Most laptops have a switch that depresses when the lid is closed, and this can turn off the monitor also. Try and repost please, good luck.

This is a good way to check this. But be aware, for a R3000 this is the fn-F4 combination.
Thanks.

Member Avatar for saren

I have also started having problems with my R3000's screen. Here's the story, in short:

- Power cord problem. Disassembled the computer to get to the motherboard, noticed the pins were intact, reassembled computer.
- Screen does not work. No backlight on, just a black screen, so I can't tell that it's booting, except that after a while, the power button does not immediately cut the power when pressed. This suggests that somewhere in there, it's trying to go through the Windows shutdown process maybe? I can't tell.

WHAT WORKS:
- The fans
- The battery
- The DVD-ROM drive (spins and ejects)
- The power indicating LED, the LED indicating the touchpad is on.
- The power LED on the front, and the "HDD" and battery LED on the front, which turns on when the computer is powered on, and then turns off in a little while.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK:
- The screen
- The LEDs on the side for volume mute and wireless card

WHAT I'VE TRIED:
- Reseating the RAM, and then repeating with only one stick of RAM in at a time, in turn.
- Plugging in an external monitor. No signal is sent to that monitor either.
- Fn-F4 to cycle through the monitors.

When I pulled it apart and took the motherboard out, I noticed there were two video cards in there. Both GeForce, one newer than the other. I don't know how to replace the video cards in this laptop (they looked anchored on there really good!).

Any other suggestions?

Member Avatar for saren

I made progress.

Now, I have a picture, but it's bright green and flickery with a black vertical band down the middle. When I cycle the video out to the external monitor, my picture appears fine.

Guesses? Or is this a truly dead thread....?

Member Avatar for swilli15

Same problem here. I haven't replaced anything yet, but I have dark bands vertically down the screen. I'm thinking virus. I recently let the Norton Anti-Virus expire because of the cost.

Member Avatar for dogbreath077

If the video is fine on an external monitor, then your video card is most likely fine and also not a virus. It is either the video cable or the LCD screen itself. Unfortunately, you need a known good unit to swap out for testing.

Member Avatar for Orion13622

I made progress.

Now, I have a picture, but it's bright green and flickery with a black vertical band down the middle. When I cycle the video out to the external monitor, my picture appears fine.

Guesses? Or is this a truly dead thread....?

What specifically did you do to fix it so that you can see the screen?
I have an R3000Z CTO that is doing the same thing. All powers on, no warning beeps, and no COMPAQ logo on the screen, however power is being applied to both the monitor and external VGA port.
Not sure if CMOS is bad, or if it's the Video. Short of the story is, my brother shut it down and next day went to turn it on, and black screen....all lights up, just nothing on the display.
I've done everything except replace the main board...any suggestions?

Member Avatar for Nil_Giri

Same problem here...I have a R3000 and did the same thing as "saren" and the result the same.

WHAT WORKS:
- The fans
- The battery
- The DVD-ROM drive (spins and ejects)
- The power indicating LED, the LED indicating the touchpad is on.
- The power LED on the front, and the "HDD" and battery LED on the front, which turns on when the computer is powered on, and then turns off in a little while.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK:
- The screen
- The LEDs on the side for volume mute

Has anyone got a solution for this?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Member Avatar for MFParker

My monitor stopped working also. At first, I could get it to work by flicking the lid switch. Now that doesn,t work either. Try this. I can use the computer with a flashlight from the front, not easy but it indicates that the only thing not working is the monitor back light. Has anyone tried to replace the bulb if it is possible?

Member Avatar for 01001100

I am having the exact same problem with my Compaq Presario r3000

I had the same power issues that others seem to be having but by cleaning the contacts on the motherboard I managed to solve that problem. However after reassembling the laptop the screen displayed nothing. I've checked everything and not sire where to go next.

Any ideas?

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