laptop repair

[Rusted]

I need to replace the video card in a ~2-3 year old Dell Smartstep 200N. Any hints or tricks to doing this? How interchangeable are laptop video cards?

The current card has a short in it, so the external monitor will only work about 10% of the time.

 

[Brad J]

That would be integrated into the motherboard on any laptop (Dell, Sony, IBM) that I've ever worked on. So you'r SOL w/o a new MB:-\

 

[78mitsu]

That would be integrated into the motherboard on any laptop (Dell, Sony, IBM) that I've ever worked on. So you'r SOL w/o a new MB:-\

This is true, with the exception with machines made over the last year or so video cards tended to be integrated in to the MB. Have you tested see if it will have video on the other port which tells you it isn't the video card, but the LCD.

 

[Rusted]

I am seeing video cards from parted machines on ebay (check # 170025625497). I am guessing that inside this laptop is something like that. I was expecting to see the VGA connector as part of the card, but it is not. So maybe it is not the video card at all, but rather the VGA connector that needs to be replaced or repaired

The built on LCD monitor works 100%, the short is with the external VGA plug to run a second monitor. I have not been able to test the s-video connector, but I assume it is working.

 

[78mitsu]

some early dells due to a code problem in the bios were not able to run on that second port, and it is pretty finnacy about what monitor it will plug into. See what you can do to get the latest BIOS for that machine. and flash it on. that may fix your problem.

-> also try using fn+font when booting so the screen goes into "Small" mode then use the fn+F8 to heat up the port

 

[Rusted]

It was working on an external LCD monitor for a day or two. Now it only works if you bump the plug just right or happen to hold some pressure in just the right angle. I attached a CRT monitor to get a better idea of what was happening and it is obvious that it is a short near the back of the laptop.