I recently ran into a problem with my laptop, and I can't quite figure it out. The laptop displays the content well to a secondary monitor, but does not display it on the laptop monitor. Prior to these events when the laptop did display content onto its screen, I observed white lines and flickering indicating that it was having difficulty displaying to the laptop's internal monitor. I was told by a HP tech that this problem may be indicative of problems with the laptops virtual memory for the display, and was not likely due to the video card since the content is displayable via the 15 pin integrated serial display interface. This brings up two questions; (a) are there diagnostic tools apart of Windows 7 that will help to rectify this situation of no display to laptop monitor, or are there some HP downloadable tools that I can use to correct the problem? (b) Since I have scanned for malware and found none with up to date definitions, could one of the applications such as Microsoft e-Learning Offline Player changed the virtual settings for the display monitor and corrupted files. Presently, when I try to use the display monitor on the laptop all I get is a very dim (nearly black) screen that is just barely readable. Can anyone help me? I'd rather not pay $259 to HP to have them do it. That's really a down payment on another laptop? P.S.: Hardware as follows... 100 GB harddrive (5200rpm), 2 GB SODIMM, Silverlight 4 installed.MCP, MCTS Windows Vista, Configuration; http://oguninternationalmedia.com

It sounds to me as this is a case of defective hardware. Unfortunately there is no fix for defective hardware, aside from replacing the faulty part or buying a new computer. Flickering and subsequent almost black screen point to a defective backlight for the display. Most probably the inverter (power supply) for the screen is broken. You cannot replace these so you must order at least a new display panel. You can find these probably under your 259$, but you will have to place it yourself then. If you have no experience at all in this, I would still recommend let HP fix this. Besides, I do not know what HP means with "virtual memory for the display". A display does not have memory, it displays. The graphics adapter though has memory (all be it not virtual), but when this does not function you will have other symptoms and, indeed, an external display would have the same issues.MCSA/MCTS/MCP

Thank you. Is there anymore input from anyone else? P.S.: HP stands for Hewlett-Packard. MCP, MCTS Windows Vista, Configuration; http://oguninternationalmedia.com

I agree with SenneVL. If the issue is related to the display card, the external monitor should have issues as well. However, since the external monitor displays properly, the issue should be caused by defective hardware. It is recommended contacting HP to check the hardware for you.