Solved ATI/AMD Graphics Card error, black screen

[KickAss]

I have a ATI/AMD Graphics Card on my Dell Studio 1558, and the chip has become faulty (design fault from manufacturer). Now the screen display is black and does not come on.

Temporary workaround I am using
I plugged in my separate VGA monitor to the laptop and using it, I switched on my laptop, and after the Windows startup logo, the computer would crash and restart (and repeat).

So I managed to get into Safe Mode, and from there, under Device Manager, I roll-backed my ATI/AMD driver to Microsoft Basic Display Adapter. Then I restarted the Laptop normally (not Safe Mode), and the laptop DID NOT crash, it made it to the logon screen and I got in.

Problem:

So now, I have my VGA Monitor plugged in to the laptop and using it, I am able to boot up windows normally.

While the laptop is on, if I unplug the monitor, the Laptop Screen stays black, nothing happens. When I plug it back in, I get this error that says Microsoft Basic Display Adapter is not compatible with your display (I'm assuming it means my laptop screen since it's a Full HD resolution, whereas my VGA monitor is half that resolution.

What I need help with

Is there any other driver I can install apart from ATI/AMD which will allow my Laptop Screen to work? I want to bypass the ATI/AMD Graphics card completely as it's faulty and maybe somehow use Windows one just like the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter is currently doing?

UPDATE: I do not mind using a smaller resolution on my Laptop Screen. I can learn to live with that as long as I can get it working.

Is this possible at all? or am I stuck with my VGA Monitor attached to my laptop?

(Sorry for the long question).

 

[Mellon Head]

I don't think a different driver would help with the laptop's screen. It sounds like a hardware problem, especially if, as you say, the chip has gone bad. It looks like the problem exists somewhere between the video card and the laptop screen, but it still allows you to use an external monitor.

You could boot without the external monitor and shine a light on the laptop's screen to see if there is anything there. If there is, that rules out the graphics card. It would be the actual screen backlight that is at fault.

Is there any chance that this laptop is still under warranty?

 

[KickAss]

hi @Mellon Head, thanks for the detailed reply. Unfortunately, no, warranty ran out 2.5 years ago. I googled this problem and it's common problem with this laptop. Hundreds of people's graphics chip are burned out on this model. They replaced the entire motherboard (as the graphics chip is not detachable) and after few months, the same fault appears again.

The fault is a result of (i'm guessing) a power surge issue in the board. Because my laptop never overheats, its always cold and yet this problem still occurs.

But yeah, I guess I have no option in this case thank you anyway.

 

[Mellon Head]

Yeah. I'm sorry about that. There were a number of laptops from a few years ago with burned out chips, not just Dells. Just bad luck for everyone that got one.