New Inspiron 9100 won't use the the ATI video drivers. Help wanted!

If I update my graphics drivers to the ones on the CD Dell sent me, or the
ones I download off the web, the display on my brand new 9100 stops working.
An external monitor continues to display an image, but the LCD won't. If I
uninstall those drivers, all is well again (beyond getting prompted every
time I reboot to install the new hardware it "found", and the fact that I
can't run it in native mode).

Any suggestions? I've tried re-installing the OS several times, and I've
tried the Omega drivers. BTW, it did this right out of the box, before I
had a chance to muck with it. Not a good start... And then, after getting
all my software installed, I run through the diagnostics with a Tech Support
person (good ol' Elvis), and find out that there's a bad block on my HD.
*sigh*

Thanks,

Clint

 

Don't install drivers and just wait for better divers. New model...
just need to be patient. If the display worked when you received
the computer then its ok. If you reinstalled windows and you
can now get no video with the Dell supplied resource cd I would
be returning the computer and just wait till Dell gets thing
sorted out. NEVER but a new model of ANYTHING. There are ALWAYS
initial problems. Best wishes. No video out of the box...RETURN IT!!!
Dave

 

Give the Radeon drivers from Omega a try. http://www.omegadrivers.net

I've used them in my past two laptops (including my current Compaq Evo
N600c w/ Radeon 7500), and they are rock solid, and much faster than
anything Compaq ever released. They are based on the official ATI
drivers with minor tweaks. The most important change is that the Omega
drivers work on laptops whereas the official ATI ones don't.

Cosmin

 

As I mentioned, I've tried the Omega drivers. And the ATI drivers off the
Dell CD. And the ATI drivers off the Dell website. Same problem on all of
them.

Thanks anyway.

Clint

 

Thanks for the advice, David. I think this one is going back. I've got to
the point that I can use the system, just not properly. So if I can arrange
for them to cross-ship (or even send me a different model), I'll probably do
that.

Clint

 

Well, that should teach me to read the WHOLE post before replying... Did
you try different versions of the Omega drivers? The latest ones
(2.5.51) are supposed to work better for laptops, but try one of the old
ones just to see if it works.

Cosmin

 

That's ok. Any input is better than none. And no, I didn't try the
older Omega drivers. I might give that a try tonight, as I sit alone in my
hotel room.

In any case, I've got a System Exchange going on with Dell. Should have my
new unit in "7 to 10 business days". We'll see. Interestingly enough, they
claim to provide better service to people on these kind of replacments than
for new customers. Doesn't seem right that they would be able to make the
computers faster for some people than others...

Clint

 

I ran into a similar situation with a new Dell 600M when they first came out
last year. I was about to return it when someone in this newsgroup
mentioned to check the web sites frequented by gamers (I am not a gamer, but
have a graphics-intensive 3-D application). I found a non-certified,
modified driver on "drivers.com" (I think that was the site) that fixed all
my problems. This was only about 2 months after the model was released by
Dell. It might be worth a try.

 

If I had to guess, I'd bet those were the Omega drivers from
www.driverheaven.net, and I've tried those. Thanks anyway.

Clint