Gateway laptop no red external signal

Gateway laptop case says:
MODEL No.: W340UA
sticker says:
Model: MT3422
CPU: AMD64 AthlonX2
OS: Vista Home Premium Entertainment

I haven't worked on laptops very much, yet, so I'll appreciate any advice. A while ago, I think someone tried to move it by holding the widescreen, breaking it inside. The black stuff has been slowly spreading through the glass as the colors fade into streaks. I've just been using an external LCD widescreen, instead. I usually have the attached screen turned off, but now it's taking a lot longer to turn off and switch to the external one, and then the red external signal is gone. The cable seems to be in all the way. The external display works on other computers. I'm wondering if the broken screen is somehow draining the red signal or if something is wrong with a display card, hopefully not on the motherboard. Would it be ok to try the external screen with the attached screen unplugged, or would that fry something? Thanks for any ideas or suggestions.

 

Sounds like the screen is being detected as the default screen again,if the screen works enough to use then set windows to display on only the external monitor by right clicking desktop,screen resolution. Then you can unplug it, unplug both the signal cable and the power/inverter cable hopefully it will default to the external monitor but this isn't guaranteed so be sure to set display on only the external monitor.

If the computer is loading windows and and you can't get your display to work you can use the function key "fn" and F4 to switch between detected displays,just hold the fn key and tap f4 until your external display turns on.

 

Thanks for your good advice, Rikky. You were right that it was still detecting the internal display as default. I followed your instructions, and it worked like that for a while. I have been very grateful for your help.

I thought it had removed the problem, but now, the red external signal appears to drop after the laptop is on for some time. I immediately shut it down and unplug the data cable to the external display. Unlike last time, the signal is back when I turn it on again. It seems to work longer if I leave it off longer. Maybe a component was weakened by the previous problem, or maybe it's the same problem, only intermittent this time... I don't know. I'll try to get time to look into it next week, (hopefully after I find my notes on the old problem.) As of now, I don't remember if the graphics card is built in the motherboard, or if anything else could be causing the problem. The internal display is unusable at this point, and I don't know/remember if it would have the red signal if I replaced it. It may be better to replace the computer. :confused If anyone has any more ideas, I'd welcome them. :cool

 

It sounds as if you may have an overheating problem. Unfortunately, your graphics IS an onboard chipset.

See if you can dowload the service manual from the support site, print it out and have it in front of you should you decide to work on the laptop. Once you get into the laptop, you may find a great deal of dust inside it. Cleaning that out may help.