This Dell Inspiron 8500 laptop with an ATI 9600 mobile video chipset is will not display after boot up. It shows the winxp boot screen. I can even boot in safe mode and it works fine. But when I boot up in normal mode, once it gets to windows there is no display. The screen just goes blank. Also, if I delete the video drivers then reboot it works fine. But as soon as I install the video drivers I get the same problem. Anybody have any clue how to fix this? Thanks!

Most likely a driver problem. Make sure you are using the latest driver which should be available from Dells' website. The other possibility is that the resolution is set too high for the monitor in use. If this is the case change down to a lower resolution or use a monitor with a higher resolution capability. ___________________________________________ ☺ When everything else fails, read the instructions.

Thanks for the reply. We actually found that the 8500 has a manufacturing defect. There is a small pin above the keyboard that is pushed when the display is closed. Sometimes this pin gets stuck, causing the laptop to think that the lid is closed even when it's opened. You can pull this pin out and it will fix the problem. Hopefully that helps anyone else having that problem.

Glad you are sorted and thank you for the feedback. ___________________________________________ ☺ When everything else fails, read the instructions.

29jan05 have the same problem. the switch above the num lock LED seems to be free, but the video still won't work unless the drivers are disabled/removed. any suggestions on fixing this? am in iraq & cannot return notebook! ty, james

30jan05. ok, i figured it out. power down. lay the LCD screen back until it's flat. take small flathead screwdriver and lift up the plastic "cover" near the ESC button. no need to disconnect the puter ribbon on the right side, just set that long thin unit aside. the pin that gets stuck is not the one attached to the "cover". look for the stuck pin deep in the exposed guts of the laptop in the area where u'd expect the pin from that "cover" to be. it's about an inch to the left of the 'D' on the Dell marking on the LCD. if ur needle nose pliers don't fit, use another small (jewelers type) screwdriver and, btwn the 2 small screwdrivers, grab that pin in a chopstick maneuver and pull up. b4 u close that "cover", save urself the hassel and remove the pin that sticks out altogether. cheers! james

Thanks SpaceMunkee and James_Iraq! I also found that my 8500 screen went blank yesterday, and that although fn-F8 restored the screen, I could not put it into the native 1680 x 1050 video mode. All fiddling with software was unhelpful, and then I found your posting and noticed my pin was stuck down and to the side. Removing the panel by the ESC key, I was able to reseat the pin, and the strange problems disappeared. Thanks for the postings -- saved me the pain of talking to some poor peon at Dell Support. Very happy!