Laptop Problems After Using Comp’s S-Video or Projector

Here is something you may find intersting, I have noticed that there are quite a few laptops and notebooks out there that have problems re-initializing the laptop’s or notebook’s LCD monitor after having used the computers built in S-Video port or hooking up a projector.

The problem: After unhooking the S-Video or projector and you reboot your computer, you may get a login prompt, after logging in, the screen goes black and the computer’s display switch function keys (example, Fn-F8 on some Dell’s) won’t work.

Here is a solution that may or may not work for you:

Shut the computer off, (you may need to hold the power button down for a few seconds), find or borrow an external monitor and plug the monitor into the Laptop’s external monitor port. Now power on the laptop, the display should come up on the external monitor, login, the Found New Hardware Wizzard may run, if so let it install the monitor.

Once the desktop comes up wait a couple of minutes then use your laptop’s Fn-Function key combo to toggle the display modes until you get external monitor off, laptop display on.

Now simply perform a true system shutdown (Start>Logoff>Shutdown) and let the system shutdown and power off. Unhook the external monitor.

When you power on your computer, you should have your display back.

I’m not sure if this is a Windows bug or a bug in the Laptops themselfs and I am not sure if Vista has the same problems.

Anyway, I hope this helps somebody out there.

Jeffrey