Need Help Connecting an External Monitor to a Toshiba Laptop...

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Riago

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#90218 16-Sep-2011 15:53

Hi everyone, I'm new to geekzone but have been told that this is a good place for solving various tech problems.
Anyway, I have recently purchased an Acer P171W 19" monitor to connect to my laptop.

The bad news is I cannot seem to get an image on the monitor, all that pops up is "no signal" then it goes to sleep.
The laptop I'm using is a Toshiba Satellite L300D, running windows 7 ultimate x64 edition.

Using Fn+F5 does not work nor does tinkering with the display settings in windows. I have also checked the BIOS to ensure that external video output was enabled. All drivers are up to date as well and I'm using a VGA connection.
I haven't the faintest idea why the heck it's doing this, but I'm open for suggestions to fix the problem!

Thanks in advance.

Riago

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#522541 18-Sep-2011 08:39

Have done some more testing and have tried with Ubuntu as well. Have also noticed when the monitor is plugged in from the beginning and I hit the power button, the laptop's LCD screen is blank.
I've got this danged feeling that the hardware may be on its way out.. :(

CYaBro

4708 posts

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#522547 18-Sep-2011 08:49

Can you test the Acer monitor on another PC or something to confirm that it is working?
Normally with a laptop you just need to make sure the external monitor is connected and turned on then turn on the laptop and it will automatically detect it.
In Windows 7 you can also try the Windows Logo key + P to cycle through the different external display settings.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

Riago

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#522567 18-Sep-2011 09:54

Yeah I've done all of the above. VGA port on monitor works with the xbox too, so I know it's not the Monitor. Looks like I'm gonna need to invest some money in a new motherboard for my laptop seeing how I cannot afford a full fledged new laptop. I'll wait till things start getting dire and I'll purchase it. Judging by the current exchange rate, they're ~ $300NZD plus international postage.

toyonut

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#522855 19-Sep-2011 08:31

Dont jump to broken hardware just yet! Got anything else with a vga port that you can test the laptop video card with and see if it outputs to a different device, maybe a tv or friends monitor? how about changing the vga cable? Im guessing the xbox has its own vga cable so the one you are using on the laptop might be stuffed.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

Riago

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#522971 19-Sep-2011 12:18

Nah the hardware's definitely copped it. Tried the laptop with the technicians at school today. Couldn't get it to output to their monitor either. Have tested the channels with my multimeter and despite it outputting the voltages, i'll prob have to use a scope tomorrow to test the Vsync and Hsync outputs. It's really depressing that this is happening now of all times, AFTER I buy the blasted monitor.

Riago

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#523600 20-Sep-2011 15:46

OK All, have hooked up my VGA port to an Oscilloscope and have found that it looks like the H-Sync signal isn't present

. I'm half hoping I can find a fix on the web for this.
The V-Sync, the +5V rail, and the RGB signals are all fine. looks like if I can repair this all will be well!