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Inspiron Video Issue

post #1 of 8
7/7/08 at 12:03pm
Thread Starter 
Hey Guys,

So there I was Stumbling around the internet when my Inspiron 9400's monitor went on the glitch. I have a mosaic of colored cubes running vertically and horizontally across the entire monitor. The computer promptly froze and I restarted. The spots appear in the self test and during the blank screen or text screen portions of startup I get large blocks with random letters/numbers/symbols. Under normal windows load I get the blue screen of death. I can run Window's in safe mode which I am in now. Screen is still completely speckled but if I refresh the window the spots go away and then slowly reproduce across the screen.
I began digging through my options and settings and found that after getting into the Display Properties - Settings - Advanced - Adapter - Properties - I find myself in VGASave Properties. On clicking the Resources tab I find I have the following issues:

In the VgaSave properties it shows the following Conflicting device list:

Input/Output Range 03B0 - 03BB used by:
Mobile Intel(R) 955XM/945GM/PM/GMS/940GML Express PCI Express Root Port - 27A1
Input/Output Range 03C0 - 03DF used by:
Mobile Intel(R) 955XM/945GM/PM/GMS/940GML Express PCI Express Root Port - 27A1
Memory Range 000A0000 - 000BFFFF used by:
Mobile Intel(R) 955XM/945GM/PM/GMS/940GML Express PCI Express Root Port - 27A1

I am not sure if this is the true root of my issue or not. It does not appear that it is recognizing the GeForce Go 7800 as the primary video adapter either. XP does not offer any driver upgrades either.

Again when not booting in safe mode I get the blue screen of death stating something about memory dump.

I appreciate your help.
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post #2 of 8
7/7/08 at 7:56pm
Sounds like a video card issue, if you're under warranty run the Dell diagnostics from the Resource CD and contact technical support.
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post #3 of 8
7/8/08 at 8:05pm
Thread Starter 
Can I replace the video card or do I have to replace the motherboard? Acctually can I just flash the BIOS and clear this up?
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post #4 of 8
7/9/08 at 10:40am
does the issue creep up in safemode?
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post #5 of 8
7/9/08 at 11:09am
Thread Starter 
I can no longer even boot in safemode. The monitor pixelation happens the second the computer turns on, when booting normally I get either a bluescreen hardware issue or a bluescreen fatal error. When booting in safemode it loads for a few seconds then freezes.

Should I start looking for a new Motherboard or can I replace the vid card?
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post #6 of 8
7/10/08 at 5:12pm
Depending on what video card you have it'll be a daughtercard replacement. Only the Intel GMA graphics require a motherboard to be replaced if they are defective. The ATi options and nVidia options are all on a seperate board. HOWEVER, due to the design of the 9400 you have to disassemble the whole lower half of the system to get to the video card. Removing the motherboard is only one step further.
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post #7 of 8
7/18/08 at 8:58pm
Thread Starter 
All right laptop is apart, video card is out......what do you recommend price to performance wise that I should replace it with?
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post #8 of 8
7/27/08 at 12:28am
Your options are the X1400 Radeon, I think 7800GT and 7900GS. The 7900GTX will work, but you'll have to modify your base just slightly to acommodate the extra radiator (there's a tab blocking it on the E1705 base) You may also have to flash your BIOS which other members here are more capable of helping you with that part.

Check eBay, parts-people.com and even see if Delly has any from spare parts. Prepare to give up a first born if you call Dell.
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