Yes, a Restore Point (the last known-good point) was used. Just continue on, and post back if the problem happens again.

Here I am to report a repeat of what is apparently the same problem.

I pressed the power button to start booting up, and instead of the Windows start up screen, I saw pixilated stripes across the laptop monitor. I had to power-off and restart, at which point I didn't react fast enough to move the cursor to choose a restore point, so instead the computer went to Regular startup.

Should I choose to go to a restore point now? Is there anything I should check?

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This thread needs a new title. Is there a way for me to edit it?

Have you routinely been doing the system and disk maintenance stuff? Have you installed the latest video and sound drivers from Dell?

If so, then yes, install your last known-good restore point.

Absolutely yes to both points.

Restore, here I come.

Well, today the video anomaly happened again.

I haven't even been running Revelation and haven't installed or uninstalled anything. I did just do ALL the housekeeping chores again and this was the second boot up after that.

Because I had NOT reinstalled the video drivers again (I downloaded but got lost somewhere and never came back), I have just finished doing a new download and reinstall.

Query: In January when I reinstalled the video drivers, all my monitor display settings reverted to default resolution and font sizes. But this time, the computer retained my settings. Why would that be?

Also, on 4/22 was the first time I remember you suggesting that I install the latest sound drivers. I have not yet done that, but while I was at the Dell site I did notice that the latest drivers are from 2007. Would my computer need a refresher or something?

Q. ...this time, the computer retained my settings. Why would that be?
A. The ways of Windows are many, strange, and wondrous to behold! Maybe you inadvertently re-installed a bit differently than the last time. Who knows...accept the retained settings (if they're what you want), and be glad.

Q. ...the latest drivers are from 2007. Would my computer need a refresher or something?
A. If re-installing the video driver package doesn't correct the problem, try re-installing your sound driver. Can't hurt, may help.

Well, all these times I never know WHAT helps. The computer seems to be OK and then in another month or so it boots up with that crazy mixed-up pixel dance again. This is 4 times now, within 5 months.

Since it could be an intermittent hardware problem, maybe Heimdall could point you toward a good pc scan application, when such a "bug" is showing up.

Me thinking about a loose connection "or" something like a "cold solder" on one of the printed circcuit board.

quote:

The ways of Windows are many, strange, and wondrous to behold!

Yep, Justin Long has noticed that, too.

quote:

Originally posted by nanoukmetal:
Since it could be an intermittent hardware problem, maybe Heimdall could point you toward a good pc scan application, when such a "bug" is showing up.

Me thinking about a loose connection "or" something like a "cold solder" on one of the printed circcuit board.

It's possible that the video problem is hardware-related. However, since it can be cured by use of the last known-good Restore Point, the problem is less likely to be hardware-related than due to some sort of software glitch. (From the Windows Help and Support Center, using System Restore "...restores all system and application settings back to those that were in effect at a point in time you specify. Undoes key application, driver, and operating system file changes made since that time. Does not affect data files.")

Also, the problem occurs only at boot-up, not during laptop use, and LCL is doing system and disk maintenance as per my recommendations here and here, and has done what's called out here.

I don't know offhand of a scan application that'll help in this sort of problem diagnosis, but I can suggest:

1. Keeping track of laptop use, to identify a commonality with something run/done immediately before having the video problem at the next boot-up:
-- a. Running a specific software application or applications.
-- b. Installing/re-installing a specific application or applications.
-- c. Updating a specific application or applications, including running Windows Update
-- d. Anything done to change the Registry, including running Registry diagnosis and repair utilities. (It's possible that a utility is being instructed to "repair" a Registry entry that shouldn't be touched.)

2. Looking at Event Viewer logs to identify recurring problem entries. Refer to:
-- How To View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
-- Detailed Usage of the Event Viewer /AUXSOURCE Switch Option

Examples of using the Event Viewer:
-- CD drive or DVD drive errors may cause unexpected program crash in Windows XP
-- How to troubleshoot CD-ROM drive problems in Windows XP
-- How to Troubleshoot Hardware and Software Driver Problems in Windows XP
-- You receive a Stop 0x00000050 error on a blue screen

I have been keeping track somewhat, by posting here when it happens. I can pretty much rule out 1b and 1c. It's 1a and 1d that I'm not sure about.

It had occurred to me to wonder whether it could have been related to registry repair. I use RegScrub only, and I don't know enough about what it finds to identify whether something shouldn't be "fixed." However, I just did another "scrub" on 5/1 and then the anomaly popped up on 5/3, so there may be a connection. After it occurred, I updated my video drivers - or re-updated them - again.

I guess we'll see when or if the video anomaly returns after next month's registry repair, and meanwhile I will look into Event Viewer to see if I can decipher whtever it has to say.

Actually, you don't need to wait a month to run RegScrub and see if that's the problem. You can run the utility at any time, reboot, and see what happens!

Then, if you find that RegScrub is causing the video problem, you can use Wise Registry Cleaner. This utility is also free, and I use it (and like it) a lot more than RegScrub. Note that:
-- Wise RC has a "Not fully safe to delete" feature, which tells you that deleting an entry may give you problems.
-- The Wise RC Professional version is NOT free. Install the free version.

Note: If you beleive the problem was caused by RegScrub, there is the possibility to restore one, anyone or all backups made by RegScrub.

Go to the restore tab, click a backup and then click "Restore Selected Backup" at the top of the window.

True.

However, if the user isn't very careful, RegScrub can cause problems by deleting Registry entries that shouldn't have been touched. The utility doesn't have a built-in way to prevent that sort of thing and relies instead on user knowledge.

Again, Wise RC has a "Not fully safe to delete" feature, which tells you that deleting an entry may give you problems. Which is why I recommend using Wise RC if RegScrub is causing problems - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Well, its not just RegScrub, because today it just happened again . . . and I haven't used RegScrub again nor have I played Revelation. In fact, I can't think of anything that's been changed or updated or cleaned up except for basic housekeeping since the last time it happened.

This is getting rather tiresome. Is this kind of thing covered by Dell's warranty?

Edit: I have at least looked into the event log for system problems, and boy was I in for a surprise . . . there's been an error recorded there almost daily! Even though the video anomaly I've seen certainly has not been a daily event. The error is almost always the same: Dhcp 1002.

I had trouble searching this out at Dell, but I'm going to try again to see if I can figure it out.

Back again: That error has to do with the IP address, so it doesn't seem likely that it could cause the kind of video anomaly I see, does it?

No, DHCP errors shouldn't have anything to do with video anomalies. (Video anomalies could possibly be connected with DHCP errors via some sort of malware infestation, but you're doing regular anti-malware scans. Umm...right?)

Have you contacted Dell Support about the problem? (Click on Technical Support - I need to solve a technical problem.)

There may be video/display issues with the Dell Latitude D830. You can search the Dell Forums for D830 video, D830 display, D830 issue, D830 problem, NVS140m, etc.

Oh, yes. I have been diligently keeping up with ALL the housekeeping tasks.

After talking to personal long-distance tech support (my techie son), I did contact Dell today already. Sure enough, I should have done it earlier (well, *could* have done it earlier).

It's not the Latitude 830 computer itself that is the problem. Apparently there is a known issue with the nVidia Quadro_that_I_paid_extra_for. Since I have only the basic warranty (not one of the special service packages) I will have to send the whole computer in for repair or replacement of the motherboard. I suppose that means there are files I ought to copy onto a memory stick before it goes, just in case.

Notionally, what Dell will do is replace your motherboard, and they should give you back your original hard drive, untouched. That's "notionally", since who knows exactly what'll be done. You might not get your original hard drive back, for example. Or if you do get the original drive back, it may have been seriously interfered with.

So, yes, you should certainly at least copy files you can't afford to lose onto a portable medium. However, you may get the laptop back with things so messed up that you'll need to re-install Win XP and your applications.

If you didn't get the backup discs containing the factory-installed operating system, device drivers, and utilities specific to your system from Dell with the laptop, and/or if you don't have a way to re-install all of your various applications, you should also back up the entire hard drive to something like an external USB hard drive. (That's what I do for my wife's PC, using Norton Ghost.)

BTW, if you didn't originally get the backup discs from Dell, you can request them by submitting the form available here. Or, you can use the Dell PC Restore utility, which accesses a compressed copy of all the factory-installed software on your computer, placed on the hard drive in a separate unmounted partition. This should work *if* (a) the unmounted partition with compressed copy was on the hard drive when you got the laptop, and (b) the original hard drive comes back to you with the unmounted partition still accessible. Note that neither of these options will re-install any of your applications!

They did send me all the backup discs . . . but I sure hope I don't have to use them! I saved all my packaging too, but the customer support tech guy didn't even ask about that. Just as well to use new stuff, I suppose.

H_G, I am lost. I don't understand what your last sentence means/?

It means that the backup discs and the Dell PC Restore utility will not re-install any programs, aka applications, that you installed after you got the laptop. Like Revelation, for example. The only backup that will easily do that is one created by a utility like Norton Ghost, or another such utility, on separate hard drive. (You can also back up to DVD's, if you have the time and the blank DVD's.)

Unless you get return packaging from Dell, and assuming the original packaging is in good shape, it's best to send equipment back for warranty service in the same packaging in which you received it, with original labels removed and insured for full value. Otherwise, definitely use the return packaging.

Heimdall
Semper ubi sub ubi

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Heimdall G,