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- flickering displays OK in safe mode

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01-14-2015 10:06 AM
My 5 year old HP Compaq CQ61-420US Notebook has flickering horizontal lines for apprx 10 min after startup then goes blank. Here is a list of things tried in troubleshooting to no avail. External 2nd display has same flickering, safe mode is OK on both displays. I have tried restoring to 6 weeks old restore point, reloading currently downloaded video driver. Some times after reboot it will work ok for a short time, at which time I have moved screen and pressed on top and keyboard to duplicate problem to no avail. If I leave it on touched for awhile it will start flickering and nothing seams to stop it. What else might I try … short a new laptop??
01-14-2015 10:18 AM
Hi dsar ,
The Flickering definitely sounds like an issue witH the graphics ,
the unit in safe mode will be working on generic drivers & all the basic softwares & programs are disabled and only The ones needed are allowed to run in the same mode & hence works fine .
even though you have mentioned you have updated the graphic drivers i still suspect it to be an issue with the graphics
You could first update the BIOS from here http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?os=4063&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&sw_lang=&product=4121...
And then reload the Graphic driver as follows .( Forced Install)
Device manager > right click On driver > update > Browse PC for driver> select C drive > Swsetup folder>select the name of the driver sp48895 folder & proceed & check if that works
Regard ,
PraTH_KR
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01-14-2015 11:44 AM
Hi,
We have to make sure if its a hardware/ Sfotware issue.
Follow the belwo steps to determine the issue:
1: Shutdown the NB.
2: Press the power button and after that keep tappnig the Esc key multiple times.
3: You will get startup menu, tap on F10 to go into BIOS.
4: On the BIOS page move the screen lid back and forth and check if there is any vertical lines or any changes in colors, if so then its a hardware issue.
5: If there is no colored lines or no changes on the screen color, then is a software issue which can be fixed.
Please keep me posted to help you out
The opinions expressed here are my personal opinions, not of HP.
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
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01-14-2015 12:31 PM
Thanks for the replies so far.
I forgot to mention in my original post that I have spent significant time in the bios & Safe mode trying to duplicate flickering by flexing display and taping on keyboard area. All is good and no flickering. I agree and also think it's software related over hardware.
Not sure I'm comfortable updating bios, but I just tried reinstalling Graphic drivers that I download from HP (sp45261.exe) from Safe mode. Had an error "Failed to load detection driver" ... I OK'd.I shutdown safe mode. waited 10 min. then rebooted.
Turned on and without touching anything including keyboard & mouse.....during the windows welcome screen it started flickering and is pretty much useless ??????
desar
01-14-2015 12:56 PM
Hi,
Thank you for your reply.
Since its working fine in BIOS its a software issue, You can try to update the graphics and BIOS drivers from www.HP.com using a extended display and in normal mode, (i.e: Not in safe mode)
Even if its still the same try restoring the system back to previous date. If still the same then Refresh later Recovery is the only option.
The opinions expressed here are my personal opinions, not of HP.
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click on Thumbs up if my post helped you.
Click on “Kudos” Star if you think this reply helped, Or Mark it as "Solved" if issue got fixed.
SO that it helps others to find solutions
01-14-2015 03:18 PM
Thanks for the replies.
As stated earlier. I have tried restoring back 6 Weeks & the external monitor has the same flicker.
However ..... some more info.
I went into the bios to check the rev # which turns out to be F13 (HP shows rev up to F15). While in the bios I ran the memory and Hard drive tests. Both PASSED. Then saved & exited, Windows came up FINE. It's been running now for an hour without any flickering. I printed the "How to update Bios guide" Guess it's time to learn.
We'll see what happens
dsar
