Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

video card (I think) problems...please help!

Jan 28, 2005 2:31PM PST

All of a sudden today, the screen on my laptop started flickering. I didn't drop the laptop or anything...it just started out of the blue. Sometimes it flickers a lot and sometimes not at all. Does that mean I have a problem with my video card? If so, can video cards be fixed or replaced in laptops? I have a Sony Vaio if that helps...

Thank you!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
(NT) (NT) is it under warranty?
Jan 28, 2005 6:26PM PST
- Collapse -
to glb613
Jan 28, 2005 10:38PM PST

No... is that bad? The computer's only a few years old, though. I don't understand why I'd be having problems. My old laptop was several years older and still works.

- Collapse -
video
Jan 29, 2005 1:39AM PST

what is the exact model number of the VAIO? it could be something as simple as needing to reinstall the video driver.

- Collapse -
model... and more info
Jan 29, 2005 2:53AM PST

It's a Sony Vaio PCG-GR390.

I just called a computer place and they said that since it sporadically flickers (like a tv not getting good reception), that means it's a problem with the screen not the video. He said that if it was a video card problem then the colors would be all warped first... that it wouldn't just start flickering out of the blue. Any thoughts? It doesn't flicker like that all the time but it is getting worse... Do I need to get a new laptop or can this be fixed?

- Collapse -
support
Jan 29, 2005 2:59AM PST

not sure. it could be hardware.

at any rate, here is your support page. It can't hurt to find an updated video driver on there and put it in. also there is a link to live support chat, and they are actually there, I have used them. they could take you through some diagnostics step by step.

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/modelpage.pl?template=EN&mdl=PCGGR390

- Collapse -
thanks!
Jan 29, 2005 9:13AM PST

Thank you. The tech guy was helpful and gave me some troubleshooting suggestions. Hopefully they'll work!

- Collapse -
good!
Jan 29, 2005 1:28PM PST

sounds good.......hopefully it works out the way you want. let us know!