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General discussion

S-Video doesn't work (Vista, Xp, Ubuntu)

Oct 23, 2009 10:41PM PDT

Hi guys.

I used to connect my inspiron 1720 to my TV via s-video port and everything was perfect in Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Xp Professional. But now I cann't connect it. I am trying to resolve the problem by myself during last two weeks without any result.

My laptop is a Dell Inspiron 1720 with NVidea GeForce 8600M GT. I know that the cable and the TV are fine because I checked with a DVD reader. I know that the NVidea is fine because I checked dual display functionality with another Dell monitor. I tried to uninstall/install drivers, uninstall/install video codecs, use [Fn/FCool and wait more than a minute, etc... I tried to find the s-video port in the BIOS but it is not there.

I have three OS in my Laptop, Windows Vista, Xp and Ubuntu, and today I have just tried to setup dual display in Ubuntu but the problem persists in this OS.

Has anyone any idea about this?

Best regards,

Alvaro

Discussion is locked

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And that Dell monitor ...
Oct 23, 2009 10:45PM PDT

was using S-video also? Or wasn't it?

From your description until now everything points to the hardware.

Kees

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Hardware?
Oct 24, 2009 10:20AM PDT

I thought the same, it is probably the s-video port. But how can I check it? Is it possible to check via software?

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(NT) I don't think so.
Oct 25, 2009 1:25AM PDT
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Since all fail.
Oct 25, 2009 1:58AM PDT

It looks to be hardware. Just ONE thing. Hook up the S VIDEO before you power up. If that doesn't help we are still looking at hardware problems.

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I didn't work...
Oct 25, 2009 4:30PM PDT

I hooked up s-video cable before power up, but it didn't work. I have tried to find the s-video port in the BIOS but I couldn't find it. Also in Device Manager on Windows, but it isn't there. Is there any software to control the activation of this port?

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Sorry no.
Oct 26, 2009 12:47AM PDT

It looks to be hardware since all the OSes fail. Yes it could be a cable or setting but nothing in your post gives me reason to suspect this. Looks like a trip to the repair counter is next.
Bob