Dell vertical lines on screen.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Hi Folks,
hope someone can help,
I've been given an old laptop with a strange fault that's
developed while in storage.
When I booted it up, I found I was unable to read any of the
Icons on the desktop. However, if you display a picture it's O.K.
Laptop is a Dell Latitude CPM233xt and was running Windows
95. I thought this fault may be down to degradation of windows whilst
not used for about two years so, fdisk, format and install of XP. (I
know xp is overkill on this spec of laptop. Easiest to install without
drivers)
Still the same. The logo screen is O.K. but at the bottom
left It usually say's "Microsoft Corporation" This is virtually
unreadable,yet navigate to "Pinball" the table top is displayed
perfectly. The start menu seems to show everything but descriptions of
each thing fades out to the right/bottom of the opened window.
I've removed the bezel around the screen and removed the
screen to check all connections which appear o.k.
Any idea's as to what is wrong with this?
Incidentally, if I use the magnify tool, the magnified text
is displayed perfectly.
TIA
Bilko130

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

William P.N. Smith wrote >
> How does it look with an external monitor connected? Try setting the
> video properties to the native resolution of the LCD screen...

Actually it's great with a monitor connected but, I want to use it
with the built in screen.
I've also found that if I drag the Icon's about on the desktop, I can
make the text readable in certain positions.I only have to move it
slightly to make it readable but, other parts of the text then
disappear. Similary, when "Pinball" is on the screen the text at the
top of the screen can be made readable by moving the window slightly.
Also, the text about the "ball in use" can be made lighter or darker
by moving the window. However, it is only certain letters that can be
made lighter by moving the window, not all of them at one time. Still
with me?....
Just want an idea of what's gone wrong with it while it was doing
nothing.
Thanks folks.
Bilko130