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lennysherman_55 · Jun 28, 2006, 08:37 AM

From time to time I get this 'Blue-Screen' error which points to this DLL associated with my laptop's (DELL Latitude CPx w/Pentium 3 processor and 320 MB RAM) video system. I've tried BOTH ATI's and DELL's websites, to no avail. ATI refers me to DELL and DELL insists that I find some cryptic number on the bottom that just isn't there. (this IS a machine I bought used!) Do I have a hardware problem or is this just 'one of those things' that laptop owners have to suffer through? I'm using this machine as a desktop, with external monitor, keyboard, (second)hard disk, CD-R and mouse. Everything (execpt the monitor and keyboard) is hooked-up through a SINGLE USB port, where I have an external (USB2) hub. With all this crap, you wonder why it works at all! Since I presently can't afford to fix-up the desktop system I have, I'm forced to make do with this messed-up system. The machine also locks up with NO error message, at random times. In both cases, only a hard re-boot will restore this junk to a working condition. I don't know if these two faults are from the same cause. Can anyone out there help?

NeedKarma · Jun 28, 2006, 08:42 AM

It looks like your video drivers have gotten corrupted. Do you know which video chipset is installed in the laptop? You could check in Device Manager. If you can get a detailed description of the video chipset you could then download a fresh set of srivers, uninstall the old ones and install the fresh set.

ScottGem · Jun 28, 2006, 08:53 AM

I agree with Need that you should reload your video drivers.

But I wanted to address the "cryptic" number issue. ALL Dell machines have a serial number and a service tag number on a label pasted on the unit. Its usually on the underside of a laptop and either the back or side of a desktop case. These codes allow you to log into Dell's website and get details and support on your PC.

If the tags are no longer there, the previous owner must have removed them for some reason. But basically it means you can't get support from Dell. So I suggest that there is no point in calling them.

ScottGem · Jun 28, 2006, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by lennysherman_55

Thanks for your input, Scott. I'm curious, though: is DELL's inability to help associated with the fact that the laptop's OUT OF WARRANTY? After all, I'm NOT asking for detailed tech support here- just some general questions about the video system. By the way, I HAD installed new video drivers from ATI- after they passed me on to DELL. The drivers weren't listed on the correct page. I went back and manually searched for 'em, found 'em and successfully installed 'em. The 'blue-screens' and lock-ups continue.

Dell's tech support has gone downhill a great deal in the past few years. As I understand it Dell won't talk to you unless you have a valid Service Tag, even to answer general questions.

One of the reasons ATI may be foisting you on Dell is that Dell may be using video chips that ATI is selling only to them at a discount that means they have to support them.