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spacefishunleas
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February 24th, 2005 01:00
Inspiron 8500 - Radeon Mobility 9000 - Replacement?
Last night I shut down, packed it up. This morning, I plugged in opened and turned on, no video after Windows startup screen.
1) Booting in VGA yields 640x480 video, fresh system install WITHOUT ATI drivers, runs poorly but will run 1280x1024 32million colors.
2) Installing and trying to use ATI drivers, no video.
System says device is functioning properly, Dell video diagnostics run without a problem. Just won't run video when asked to use the ATI drivers. I'm back to original configuration with DirectX8 and original ATI driver release.
I'm thinking the graphics card is dead. Correct me if I'm wrong but, by using the drivers I'm telling the system to use the ATI chip, by not using the drivers I'm only using built in/system video capability??
I either need a software driver solution or a new card. Can't get a card through ATI, can't find it on Dell's site. Any suggestions? Might still be under warranty. Does anyone know what S O L means when viewing warranty information on this site?
1) Booting in VGA yields 640x480 video, fresh system install WITHOUT ATI drivers, runs poorly but will run 1280x1024 32million colors.
2) Installing and trying to use ATI drivers, no video.
System says device is functioning properly, Dell video diagnostics run without a problem. Just won't run video when asked to use the ATI drivers. I'm back to original configuration with DirectX8 and original ATI driver release.
I'm thinking the graphics card is dead. Correct me if I'm wrong but, by using the drivers I'm telling the system to use the ATI chip, by not using the drivers I'm only using built in/system video capability??
I either need a software driver solution or a new card. Can't get a card through ATI, can't find it on Dell's site. Any suggestions? Might still be under warranty. Does anyone know what S O L means when viewing warranty information on this site?
spacefishunleas
3 Posts
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Posted February 24th, 2005 11:00
It's still under warranty, I found out last night. So it will be up to Dell to make it work. It's pretty ridiculous that PC manufacturers build or have built main components that are proprietary and can't easily be interchanged with 3rd party products. If it's because they think they can get you to upgrade/replace your machine it's not going to work. If my Dell loses a component that can't be easily replaced, it's going to leave a bad taste in my mouth and I'm not going to buy another Dell.
I will say though that I have had this machine for almost 2 years now and it hasn't had any problems other than the battery is dead.- Hello spacefishunleashed,Welcome to the Dell Community Forum,I would like for you to check the LCD suspend switch to see If it's stuck in the down position. Please open your LCD all the way and remove the LCD hinge covers.You will need a small flathead screw driver. Start from the left side and remove the button panel, and then check the switch from the bottom.This will cause the LCD to turn off when the driver is installed.(power mgt).Hope that this helps. If this pin is sticking have Tech Support to replace the LCD hinge cover.Thanks,
Dearest Mike_B;
ummmm...it cannot be the OP's suspend switch because the OP specifically states that the non-Ati drivers work...right? the switch works through hardware and Windows so even the generic windows driver will support suspend...???
Message Edited by grumpy3b on 02-27-2005 01:26 PM
spacefishunleas
3 Posts
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Posted February 28th, 2005 15:00
Well Grumpy, MikeB nailed it. KUDOS to MikeB. I opened her up today and looked down at the little peg and sure as can be, it was sticking up sort of crooked. I popped off the plate and gave the peg a push, it straightened right up and now moves freely. I went ahead and reinstalled the proper Radeon drivers, rebooted and voila, back to normal.
One more funky puter problem that took hours of mis-diagnosing to only be fixed by a one centimeter peg. Lessons learned, try the forum before the techs. I got the joy of installing and reinstalling drivers with them. What did I get out of the deal, a renewed sense of satisfaction with my beloved notebook and a fresh install of XP.
Again, much props to MikeB, master of universe.
@ejn63 wrote:
No, they did not. The cards from the 8600 will fit the 8500, though if you go for the top card (Radeon 9600) you'll need to modify the card to get it to work with 8500 as far as cooling is concerned.
What modifications have to be made to the Radeon 9600 to get it to work in an 8500. I assume it's a cooling issue although doesn't the 9600 come with its own fan?
Thanksresante5000
67 Posts
1025
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Posted March 4th, 2005 19:00
http://www.bay-wolf.com/8500videoheat.htm
Lex L. wrote:
What modifications have to be made to the Radeon 9600 to get it to work in an 8500. I assume it's a cooling issue although doesn't the 9600 come with its own fan?
Thanks
dlinkin
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Posted February 24th, 2005 04:00