Need a new badass gaming laptop or something

Used to be a Video Problem (skip to reply #8)

from JoeUser Forums

Older Sony VAIO laptop @ $1,500.00 on sale   Model VGN-AR750E
Intel Core 2 CPU model T8100 @ 2.10, 2.10 GHz
4 GB installed 3GB usable (32 bit windows 7 ultimate)
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT video card

When I power up now, more times than not, I end up with a split screen. The right 1/3rd of my display appears on the left side of the screen followed by the left 2/3rd of the display and that is annoying to say the least. Some times this will persist for longer than a day no matter how many times I restart (can only use forced hard S/D) because of my second problem. The display expands such that the bottom part of the screen is out of sight (low) and because of that, I am prevented from using the start menu.  And I have no access to the task bar at the bottom. If I minimize anything … I don’t know how to fetch it back easily. This problem started cropping up a couple of months ago but has gotten progressively worse (more often and longer lasting). It is fast enough to play say Bioshock (reasonably well) but not Bioshock2. Any bottom line suggestions … besides the obvious???

81,436 views 20 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Can you plug the laptop into an external monitor to see if the problem is replicated there? I'm just thinking out loud but this might tell you if its the screen or a hardware error. If it displays fine on the external device, it's your screen that has issues.
What you might find difficult is getting into control panel to configure for the external device.

I'm just thinking out loud here mate, hopefully someone can recognize your issue and be more helpful than I.
:)

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Did you upgrade it to Win7, Boobz, or was that its native OS?  Have you attempted to reset the screen resolution?  Have you updated the nVidia drivers since installing Win7 or could it have defaulted to some generic video driver with a Win7 upgrade?  Would be worth looking in Device Manager to see what driver it is using.  Those are just for starters.

CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting Neilo, reply 1
Can you plug the laptop into an external monitor to see if the problem is replicated there?
I have the ability but never got around to it ... my cheap thinking at the time was that the same display information would be routed to the other monitor too. I didn't see this as a 'monitor' problem ... I assumed (OMG) that it was the video card but I will rectify this issue later tonight. Just lazy I guess ... I want a new one deep down.

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting Daiwa, reply 2
Reply #2   Daiwa
Came with Vista Ultra and replaced it with windows 7 ultimate retail. It has been working quite well except for this 'problem'. The screen res is set to its native resolution and any lower one (only options) just makes things bigger and thus further off my desktop screen (cannot scroll the desktop). I try to keep my drivers up to date and have programs to check for my sorry forgetful arse. I did have to update my desktop yesterday so it is worth a check, thanks. Device mgr. tells me everything onboard is fine and up to date on drivers ... but NVIDIA may have something else to say. I'll be back (shades on), hahaha.

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

Geeze, I have quite a few (~8) critical updates ... I was amazed and exasperated. Better hold off on the advice until I bring this relic into the 21st century, yikes ... sorry about this whaaa.

It is a mess … but it does appear I have problems due to the new windows 7. None of the updates will run indicating they are for vista … but windows 7 itself doesn’t seem to be recognized either. I am just going to watch another chapter of Star Gate Atlantis, go to bed and worry about this (a little) more tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestions anyway … the saga may continue when I figure out SOMETHING besides the fact it is time for a new one I think.

Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Quoting BoobzTwo, reply 3
I want a new one deep down.

I hear that! A bit of well placed coffee and a clumsy morning can do wonders. Just don't let the wife see you backing it up!

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting Neilo, reply 6
Reply #6  Neilo
I am the wife silly hahaha ... but I wouldn't let my big peach know for sure ... backup complete.

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

OK, let’s be straight here … decision made. The hell with the old rat trap (I will fix it out of spite … or I will use it for target practice) … humm. I have been looking at http://www.alienware.com/Landings/laptops.aspx but am not sure I could handle high from the speed, graphics etc. Not sure how much I need to upgrade … I have to do this some for peace of mind. 1. Memory upgrade, 2. Video card upgrade, 3. CPU upgrade and on and on (I wish). Was looking at the M17xR3 Gaming Laptop – 3D Capable (a have to have right?) at http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-M17x-r3/pd.aspx and then I noticed the DELL part. I have bad memories concerning that company and was wondering if some in the gaming community had info about dell or of other competitive gaming computers. I am trying to stay below $2,500 base price (with upgrades) and would like to be able to almost handle the best graphics out now … don’t need (can’t afford) the best of the best is all. Guess I should try and rename this OP to ‘Need a new badass gaming laptop’ or something?

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting BoobzTwo, reply 8
Guess I should try and rename this OP to ‘Need a new badass gaming laptop’ or something?

More like....need a new badass desktop...cos the other is an oxymoron...;)

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 9
More like....need a new badass desktop...cos the other is an oxymoron
Still got a month or two before my desktop becomes obsolete too ... but it will have to wait it's turn. Surely I don't need to control the universe or all the hordes within it ... just reasonably run most games. The reviews (as far as they can be taken seriously) seem to imply that overheating with an upgraded video card could be a problem. Always some aches and pains but pretty positive overall. Got any other suggestions … that might help or is it just a lost cause? I was going to hunt you down about the name change but WTH … It worked, but I confused my way here rather poorly I must say.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I don't think it's as bad as it used to be...but price-wise you'd always get more gaming bang-for-your-buck with a desktop.

Cooling is always going to be the limiting factor on a lappy vid card.

Then again...if 'gaming' means Spider Solitaire then any Lappy will do just fine...;)

Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Quoting BoobzTwo, reply 7
I am the wife silly hahaha ... but I wouldn't let my big peach know for sure ... backup complete.

:rofl:
Just tell him he gets more porn this way, he'll fall in line!! ;)

Quoting BoobzTwo, reply 8
Was looking at the M17xR3 Gaming Laptop – 3D Capable (a have to have right?) at http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-M17x-r3/pd.aspx and then I noticed the DELL part. I have bad memories concerning that company and was wondering if some in the gaming community had info about dell or of other competitive gaming computers.

The M17 certainly looks like one nice piece of gear, i couldn't see you needing to get anywhere near your $2500.
I don't game on my laptop (Asus N61J) so i don't have an opinion on the cooling issues, though i would suspect they would be apparent.

I don't think i'd let Dell's ownership of Alienware deter me from buying one though. They only bought them in about 2006 and all that i have read indicates Alienware are pretty autonomous.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

There are, not sure what they're called, a cooling plate? Anyway...its supposed to aid in cooling the laptop. Anyone out there know what it is?

Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Do you really need your gaming setup to be mobile? You could upgrade your desktop for way less than the cost of one of those laptops and it can always be upgraded again. Laptops just stay as is unless you can reliably tinker with them.

I mean I'm looking to fork out no more than £350 ($550) for a mobo bundle to update my 3 year old machine. If you keep your HDD, power supply and that then it's just so much more cheaper plus it's all reusable (to a point). Way easier to cool as well.

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

They are gonad protectors [essentially]...to stop sterilizing men who use Lappies on their laps....typically a heatsink and fan assembly or 'docking station' to assist with cooling...;)

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

When Bethesda announced the hardware requirements for Skyrim, I realized that my 2 year old laptop wouldn't cut it. After considerable research, I purchased an MSi GT780DXR for US$1900. This laptop has no problem running Skyrim with all graphics settings at maximum at 40-60 frames per second. This laptop has CPU and GPU turbo capabilities and an additional cooling fan.

Intel Core i7-2630QM

NVIDIA GTX 570M, 1.5GB GDDR5

17 inch display, 1920x1080

HDD: 1.5TB, RAID-0

RAM: 16GB DDR3

DVD/BD R/W

THX Sound

USB3 and HDMI

802.11 b/g/n

Windows 7 Home Premium

Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting CJMB, reply 14
Do you really need your gaming setup to be mobile?
No, not really ... and I have been rethinking this a bit more thanks to the above suggestions. Considering that my relic has been used for much more mundane things than kicking some alien asses, I could be more reasonable with my portable platform and still upgrade my desktop where I do like to trash the competition. I am such a child (as in a candy store) when I get into this 'got to have it all' mentality. Geeze ... does that mean I need to rename this post again ... oh woe is me, hahaha. I do need a portable platform but it doesn't really have to be able to duplicate my desktop performance, where all serious games are enacted. Guess I need to turn the desktop on and see what I can do there for an improved gaming experience, and then compare my notes.

Quoting kku, reply 16
After considerable research, I purchased an MSi GT780DXR for US$1900.
Nice machine and if I act now I can get it on sale (List $1,899.99, sale price $1,898.98) hahaha. But I am going to hold this back for now and see what expense would be involved in upgrading my desktop to the 21st century and then go from there.

 

Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top

Well my windows experience index on the 'big boy' is 5.9 based on the HDD data transfer rate ... everything else if 7.2 or higher (is that good today?) ... and 4.5 due to the video card on my soon to be target. I am guessing this may necessitate solid state drives for a starter. Any idea what index number I should shoot for ... or is it all benchmarks today? I have the 3DMark something or another around here ... that would probably be more specific.

Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Just on the desktop/laptop debate, i got 7.9 WEI across the board on my new PC for under $1300. Not that i put a great deal of stock in WEI since it can be hacked to show 9.0 if you like....

Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top

Oops ... wrong post, sorry.