a video problem in my dell laptop

[reble]

This is about my Dell Inspiron 15-3541 laptop, OS Win7 Home 32bit I just picked up on April 3rd a very nice 20" HD flat screen with very good (very sharp and clear) picture from a local pawn shop form a real good steal. This flat screen tv has both VGA and HDMI port input to use the tv as an extended screen for the laptop. Now the Dell has the HDMI port for the tv/projector plug. When I 1st got the laptop I used a HDMI to VGA adapter and a VGA cable. I used the VGA adapter because I didn't have a HDMI cable.

I have been using the HDMI to VGA cable adapter for some time now. I just got a HDMI cable today. the setup with the tv as a extended screen works great. except for when I switch the tv back from one of the other modes (tv, composite video/sound or Svideo) to HDMI extended screen, the laptop freezes. I ether have to pull the HDMI cable from the laptop then the laptop comes back on and then I can plug back in the HDMI cable. Or leave the HDMI cable plugged in and do a warm reboot of the laptop. Why?

Steve

A PS. I can leave the HDMI cable plugged in and turn off the external screen, from the software screen swicher, shift the tv mode then turn back on the extended screen. That works also.

 

[Paul Black]

Hi reble,

How have you got it setup on the laptop?

I assume you have just the monitor screen alive and the laptop as a black screen via the Control Panel > Personalization (connect to a projector or other external display).

Are these settings correct?

I hope this helps!

 

[reble]

If you had read the whole post, the setup was already posted "to use the tv as an extended screen for the laptop" Both the laptop screen (primary screen) the tv screen in PC mode the (extended screen). I have the extended screen up for a few reason. Like if I am setting up a prog. I hace the instruction file open on the extended screen so I don't have to flip from the prog to the instructions. Also some games I use a walkthrough or map level on the extended screen. Before I got the HDMI cable I was using a HDMI to VGA converter box to the VGA port on the tv. The converter box worked great other then the color tint was a few hairs off but still workable and the laptop screen didn't flicker or lock up when I change the tv mode to watch tv. With the HDMI cable the laptop screen flickers and some times goes black when I change the tv mode to like tv to watch the news or something. And I don't have the room for a separate extended screen.

Hi reble,

How have you got it setup on the laptop?

I assume you have just the monitor screen alive and the laptop as a black screen via the Control Panel > Personalization (connect to a projector or other external display).

Are these settings correct?

I hope this helps!

 

[reble]

To Mrjimphelps. There is no problem with the HDMI to VGA converter. The converter works fine. The problem ONLY shows up when the HDMI cable is used between the tv and the laptop.

Steve

Quote: Originally posted by Mrjimphelps.
In my opinion, the most likely culprit here is the HDMI to VGA converter. It is also possible that the TV, the HDMI cable, or the computer have the problem.

I suggest that you try to borrow an HDMI monitor, to swap with your current converter and TV. If you plug in a genuine HDMI monitor and the problem disappears, then you have narrowed it down to either the converter or the TV being the problem. Try another TV to see whether the TV or the converter is the problem.

If this eliminates the problem, you should be able to find a genuine HDMI monitor at a good price at a local store (Office Depot, Walmart, Best Buy). Not only will this fix the problem, but you will get a lot better picture quality from a genuine HDMI monitor than from a VGA TV.