LCD cable not detected

Chops · May 4, 2010, 12:01 AM

Hi All:

I was wondering if you can help me before I spend what might be unnecessary money. I have a Inspirion 1520 laptop. The problem I'm having is:
-When I boot up I see the Windows Vista progress bar then just a gray screen. Then I receive another screen saying Windows did not shutdown properly or a program or hardware change was made. Select Repair or Start Windows Normally. Again I get the progress bar then the gray screen and nothing more happens.

-After running the diagnostic test I received from the PSA Diagnostics:
Error Code PSA+1000-0413
Error Message: Detect Error-LCD cable not detected.
Dells website solution is Contact Us.

My Laptop is out of warranty and was wondering if the LCD cable thing is the problem or something and can I repair/replace whatever it is the problem might be?

Thanks
Chops

EZero · May 4, 2010, 05:03 AM

Well first thing is, we can tell that the "cable" is connected, or else you wouldn't see anything at all. It wouldn't disconnect itself automatically as soon as it starts booting windows (unless your cable worships steve jobs haha)

Can you check to see if you can boot into Windows in safe mode?

Just keep pressing F8 after the BIOS or the Dell logo until you get a text menu.

If you can it might just mean bad drivers and you can try to update drivers from there.

If not, I would recommend you try booting a linux live cd (more like dvd now though) such as Knoppix.

Report back with results!

Good luck.

Chops · May 4, 2010, 05:20 AM

Hi EZero

I agree, no cable no screen. Never came across this before or am even certain it's related to the boot up problems.

>>Can you check to see if you can boot into Windows in safe mode?

I am unable. I tried Safe Mode, Command prompt etc... nogo. The HD light is active (during the progress bar part) then nothing once the progress bar disappears. Blank screen (Gray Vs Blue or Black) remains, HD light goes out.

>> If not, I would recommend you try booting a linux live cd (more like dvd now though) such as Knoppix.

I tried booting from Vista's CD (Changed boot sequence and everything attempting to get it to boot from the CD) but nodda.

I'm perplexed to say the least.

EZero · May 4, 2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chops

I tried booting from Vista's CD (Changed boot sequence and everything attempting to get it to boot from the CD) but nodda.

Does that mean it won't even boot from the CD or it boots then screen goes blank?

Also, I would still strongly recommend you trying Knoppix. I just want to see whether it is Windows (and subsequently, DirectX) doing anything funky.

Chops · May 4, 2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZero

Does that mean it won't even boot from the CD or it boots then screen goes blank?

Yes, it won't boot from the CD.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZero

Also, I would still strongly recommend you trying Knoppix. I just want to see whether it is Windows (and subsequently, DirectX) doing anything funky.

I went to Knoppix site, but isn't that for Linux?

EZero · May 4, 2010, 07:17 PM

Knoppix is a linux distro that can boot straight from the DVD. Basically it just loads into ram and just "works".

You know, with what you're telling me, I'm now also wondering if it has anything to do with heat.

See if you can get to the text menu selection for Windows (f8) and move once (aka press up or down arrow once) to stop the 30 second countdown and see how long you can idle there.

But really, other than that, I'm starting to run out of ideas too. You sure do have a unique and troublesome problem.

Chops · May 4, 2010, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZero

See if you can get to the text menu selection for Windows (f8) and move once (aka press up or down arrow once) to stop the 30 second countdown and see how long you can idle there.

I can get into the boot menu without any problem. I can also access the CMOS as well as the PSA Diagnostic screen and stay in these areas without any problem. While the base seems warm it doesn't seem excessively warm.

I'm at a complete loss and the one perplexing thing that haunts me is the inability to boot from the CD. I've never encountered that before aside from a bad CD or floppy.

Chops · May 14, 2010, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZero

Knoppix is a linux distro that can boot straight from the DVD. Basically it just loads into ram and just "works".

Hi EZero:
I've tried everything Knoppix, Vista Install disc, Vista Recovery Disc and the driver/utility disc but I still keep getting the Windows Loading process bar for a few seconds then nothing but a gray screen.
I even booted an XP disc but it stops with a warning: "Stopped Intallation..."

The LCD cable not detected issue is cleared up (It was the power cable not seating correctly). The PSA Diagnostics doesn't report any errors. But I still can not boot to Windows Vista in any mode.

At this point I'd be happy to be able to simply format the drive, and do a fresh install, but I can't even seem to do that. I can get to the C: Prompt via the utility disc, but I keep getting enter drive letter and size which is (C) or I get Format not available.

Is there a manual switch inside the laptop (80's machine had something like that) to over ride everything and allow one to format a drive?
This is nuts!

I've NEVER, NOT been able to format a drive unless it was still in the box.

May 4, 2010, 12:01 AM	#1
Chops HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 61 Rep Power: 0	LCD cable not detected Hi All: I was wondering if you can help me before I spend what might be unnecessary money. I have a Inspirion 1520 laptop. The problem I'm having is: -When I boot up I see the Windows Vista progress bar then just a gray screen. Then I receive another screen saying Windows did not shutdown properly or a program or hardware change was made. Select Repair or Start Windows Normally. Again I get the progress bar then the gray screen and nothing more happens. -After running the diagnostic test I received from the PSA Diagnostics: Error Code PSA+1000-0413 Error Message: Detect Error-LCD cable not detected. Dells website solution is Contact Us. My Laptop is out of warranty and was wondering if the LCD cable thing is the problem or something and can I repair/replace whatever it is the problem might be? Thanks Chops

May 4, 2010, 05:03 AM	#2
EZero HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 119 Rep Power: 52 System Specs	Re: LCD cable not detected Well first thing is, we can tell that the "cable" is connected, or else you wouldn't see anything at all. It wouldn't disconnect itself automatically as soon as it starts booting windows (unless your cable worships steve jobs haha) Can you check to see if you can boot into Windows in safe mode? Just keep pressing F8 after the BIOS or the Dell logo until you get a text menu. If you can it might just mean bad drivers and you can try to update drivers from there. If not, I would recommend you try booting a linux live cd (more like dvd now though) such as Knoppix. Report back with results! Good luck.

May 4, 2010, 05:20 AM	Thread Starter #3
Chops HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 61 Rep Power: 0	Re: LCD cable not detected Hi EZero I agree, no cable no screen. Never came across this before or am even certain it's related to the boot up problems. >>Can you check to see if you can boot into Windows in safe mode? I am unable. I tried Safe Mode, Command prompt etc... nogo. The HD light is active (during the progress bar part) then nothing once the progress bar disappears. Blank screen (Gray Vs Blue or Black) remains, HD light goes out. >> If not, I would recommend you try booting a linux live cd (more like dvd now though) such as Knoppix. I tried booting from Vista's CD (Changed boot sequence and everything attempting to get it to boot from the CD) but nodda. I'm perplexed to say the least.

May 4, 2010, 07:17 PM	#6
EZero HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 119 Rep Power: 52 System Specs	Re: LCD cable not detected Knoppix is a linux distro that can boot straight from the DVD. Basically it just loads into ram and just "works". You know, with what you're telling me, I'm now also wondering if it has anything to do with heat. See if you can get to the text menu selection for Windows (f8) and move once (aka press up or down arrow once) to stop the 30 second countdown and see how long you can idle there. But really, other than that, I'm starting to run out of ideas too. You sure do have a unique and troublesome problem.