HDMI out suddenly stopped working. Don't know how to troubleshoot.

[blara]

Hi, I use HDMI output to connect to my TV a lot. One day I was using it without issue, disconnected the cable to move the laptop and when I reconnected it didn't work. I tried using (Win + P) and another dedicated keyboard shortcut (Fn + F4) to chage the display, neither would restore the TV display. I can still connect to a projector using VGA and I know the TV and HDMI cable are still good because they both work with my Windows 8 laptop and bluray player.

I'm just not sure how to start troubleshooting. I don't see display ports in the device manager and the graphics card says "This device is working properly." So where do I go from here?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

 

[Legaia]

Do some quick checks on the cable. First you can think about if you have bent the cable in any weard ways. If so that could have damaged the cable. You are NEVER supposed to fold a cable as it can break the small cables inside of it.

Secoundly have a look at the pin's on each side of the cable, Are any of them bent? If so this could be the cause.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

As well as checking that cable mate - the plugs and sockets are in my mind very flimsy and would have been better using the old system of screwing a decent sized connection.
Have you tried the driver for the video output?

To be honest for something that you plug in and out on what sounds like a regular basis it might very well have strained the internal connections to the device/s circuitry.

 

[blara]

Thanks for the replies. I checked the cable and everything seems to be fine. As I said before, the cable still works well with other devices. I suppose that overuse could have done something to the laptop's connection port, but a visual examination didn't reveal any obvious damage.
I am searching for updated display adapter drivers (ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250) now but I'll have to wait until I get home to test it.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep mate I am guessing but I think that you re right in that the port in thelaptop (not known for their durability) has become damaged. Now that couldcover the port being actually broken itself, or the soldered joints to theboard if that is all they used have cracked and become what is known as a dryjoint, or the whole port has become detached. Now I know you don't want to hearthis but the only way to check is to look with the machine apart.

Now I don't know if you feel confident to do that yourself it isn't thathard most times people find the first time hard the subsequent disassembles geteasier. The alternative is a shop but they are robbers in my view at the pricesthey charge. I once had a Toshiba hard drive replaced - a few years ago thatcost me over $500 and when you think I could have bought the drive for say $100back then that means they charged me $400 for what was in fact one of theeasiest jobs to do on a laptop so just be aware of that fact.
Watch this it is easier than a Toshiba to be honest and see my pic Gateway NV50A/NV55C AC DC Power Jack Repair - YouTube AT the point in my pic you should be ale to make out where the HDMI port is get a very bright light to check one of those small LED torches is perfect. ( I have included a pic of a Toshiba to show you what the CPU and GPU looks like.
A TIP if you do try I always spread out a large white bath towel and tape it to the hard surface on which you will work so that if you drop the small screws it will stop the dropped screw dead in its; tracks and not skid off onto the floor never to be found again (it also saves on scratched to the machine covers) . Keep the screws in the order they come out I use small and separate plastic containers with magnets stuck on the bottom to prevent spillage. Also use a magnetized screwdriver - do that by stroking the drive blade along a fairly strong magnet (you might have to repeat that). Plus be VERY gentle disconnecting the small ribbon cables - they usually have small grey tabs that pull out to free them up and when you put the cable back in make sure that are out and then pushed into lock the ribbon once more.
While you have it apart it is a good chance to check out for dust and see if the thermal compound on the CPU and GPU chips is still pliable - just try the edge with a toothpick if it is hard it an easy job to replace that. Now as you work though that video it also shows where to find the fixings for the optical and hard drives the RAM sticks I am sure you know about.
To put back together reverse that process you can if you like take photos as you go along to refer to.

It all look a]=s a bit intimidating post back what you are not sue of.

 

[blara]

Well, there was no updated driver so I rolled back the driver that was installed and then downloaded the current driver from AMD... and that didn't work. I've never disassembled a computer before and I need this for work; on the other hand I don't NEED to hook up my laptop to the TV to watch movies.
I'll be buying a new laptop soon so, I'll try the tear-down when that happens. In the mean time, is it possible to disable/enable a particular display type? In the AMD VISION control center that came with the driver download, there is a "display detect" function. When I used it, it showed 2 displays one labeled "LCD, Single," the other, "CRT, Analog, Disabled" see attached pic. So I'm thinking that maybe the display output was somehow disabled? Thoughts?