Re: [CGUYS] Laptop flicker and dying battery
An update: The flicker mysteriously went away during the process of reinstalling Windows (which included a thorough reformatting of the C: drive). It was evident while in BIOS setup as well as during the initial text based phases of Windows installation (including reformatting), but then during the installation proper, I noticed the flicker had gone away. I can't see how this could have been a consequence of the computer warming up, as my son leaves it on pretty much all the time. The only other explanation that occurs to me is that the problem was due to a corruption of the BIOS or the boot sector, and somehow the installer cleaned it out. It would be wonderful if, by some miracle, the computer has actually been cured! On Fri, Feb 5, 2010 at 7:28 PM, Tony B ton...@gmail.com wrote: Unlikely, but then I'm not sure exactly what you mean by a flicker - presumably a video problem. Anyway, if it's plugged in what difference would it make. Also, you don't need to reinstall the OS to test for a video problem - simply sitting in the BIOS might tell you, or a disk based OS like Ubuntu. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Laptop flicker and dying battery
Quoting John Emmerling jpemmerl...@gmail.com: The only other explanation that occurs to me is that the problem was due to a corruption of the BIOS or the boot sector, and somehow the installer cleaned it out. Could it be that in his display properties, he managed to set the refresh rate(?) really low? Like 60Hz (or less?). That would cause a flicker. I don't remember if this was a laptop or desktop with a LCD monitor, or even what the effect would be on LCD of setting the rate low. Just a thought. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Laptop flicker and dying battery
I suppose it depends how you define 'flicker'. I imagined it to look more like a loose wire - a random jumping of the picture. Anyway, we know film doesn't flicker at 24fps so it would have to be set lower than that, and I doubt that's possible. Could it be that in his display properties, he managed to set the refresh rate(?) really low? Like 60Hz (or less?). That would cause a flicker. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Laptop flicker and dying battery
Quoting Tony B ton...@gmail.com: I suppose it depends how you define 'flicker'. I imagined it to look more like a loose wire - a random jumping of the picture. Anyway, we know film doesn't flicker at 24fps so it would have to be set lower than that, and I doubt that's possible. Could it be that in his display properties, he managed to set the refresh rate(?) really low? Like 60Hz (or less?). That would cause a flicker. Depends on how long the picture between the dark spots last. At 24 FPS, the light on the movie screen lasts close to 1/24th of a second, and is refreshed before it fades. No flicker. I suspect if you flashed a light that went dark immediately (LED, a strobe light) at 24Hz, you'd see it flicker. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Laptop flicker and dying battery
Hi, My son's almost 3 year old Latitude has developed a flicker which makes it only marginally usable. In case this was due to a software problem (although most likely not, as I believe I can see this in the BIOS setup screen), I offered to reinstall the OS. When I booted the computer, I saw a message saying Your battery is able to charge normally, however it is reaching the end of its usable life. Could a dying battery possibly cause the screen to flicker? --John Emmerling * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Laptop flicker and dying battery
Unlikely, but then I'm not sure exactly what you mean by a flicker - presumably a video problem. Anyway, if it's plugged in what difference would it make. Also, you don't need to reinstall the OS to test for a video problem - simply sitting in the BIOS might tell you, or a disk based OS like Ubuntu. BTW it's probably normal for a three year old battery to be nearing the end of it's useful life. On Fri, Feb 5, 2010 at 10:27 AM, John Emmerling jpemmerl...@gmail.com wrote: When I booted the computer, I saw a message saying Your battery is able to charge normally, however it is reaching the end of its usable life. Could a dying battery possibly cause the screen to flicker? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
