Blank screen emergangy

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Gina - Jan 13, 2009 at 06:45 PM
xpcman Posts 19528 Registration date Wednesday October 8, 2008 Status Contributor Last seen June 15, 2019 - Jan 14, 2009 at 06:49 PM
Hello,

I am having a problem on a blank screen also. I think it is my video card. I have my final papers that are on that computer and I can not do anything to get them turned in. Is there a way that I can back up the files when I can't see the screen? Any imediate response would be grateful. I need to turn my papers in by 11:00 PM CMT on January 13, 2009.

Thanks,

Gina

3 responses

xpcman Posts 19528 Registration date Wednesday October 8, 2008 Status Contributor Last seen June 15, 2019 1,824
Jan 13, 2009 at 09:26 PM
Sorry about your problems. You should always email yourself a copy of your papers every hour or so. Then you can get a copy on your room mates computer.

You should check your connections to the monitor and the video card, if this is a desktop.

The fastest method to get you files is to remove your hard drive and attach it to another computer. If the hard drive is OK the 2nd computer will be able to read the files.
Ok but this is a laptop. Is there more of a problem doing it with a laptop, not a desk top?
xpcman Posts 19528 Registration date Wednesday October 8, 2008 Status Contributor Last seen June 15, 2019 1,824
Jan 13, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Not much more work. You need to know if the hard drive is SATA or PATA (also called IDE). This we can tell from the laptop model. Then you buy an adapter that has an interface that turns your harddrive into a USB drive that you can plug into another computer. These adapters cost less than 40 US dollars. For 30 more you might get the computer store to remove the hard drive and install it in the adapters case.

Laptop video adapters are mounted on the motherboard and can't be removed and/or repaired. Your screen problems may also be caused by a failure of the "backlight" or "inverter" that powers the backlight.
ok so this can be cured by just getting an adaptor to take the hard drive to USB? I was told that it could also be the back light and to find out by shining a flashlight on the screen and if i see my screen it is the back light. I tried that and got nothing. I am just lost on what to do.
xpcman Posts 19528 Registration date Wednesday October 8, 2008 Status Contributor Last seen June 15, 2019 1,824
Jan 14, 2009 at 06:49 PM
No it can't be "cured" by moving the hard drive. That's just the fastest way to retrieve your school work.

If your laptop has a VGA monitor outlet on the back, you can attach an external CRT or LCD (like those that are used on a desktop PC) to test if the laptop still works. You will need to activate the VGA port after the laptop boots - most laptops use the Fn + F8 keys for this function. Press both keys at the same time. Good Luck.