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DD716TED's avatar
DD716TED
Explorer
Jul 18, 2015

Dell Laptop HDMI question

I have an older Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop that I wanted to connect to my TV (Samsung or Seiki) in my trailer to watch movies when camping without a satellite signal.. In the past I have connected the laptop using the HDMI output and to the TV worked and it worked fine... Today when running a test, both TV's when connected show "No Signal".... The laptop uses Vista Home Premium. I have tested both TV's with a known good HDMI source and they work fine... Just not with the 1525's HDMI.. When I view Device Manager, it shows the TV as a generic PnP monitor that disappears when I unplug the HDMI cable??? Is there something that I must turn on or activate to send a signal out the HDMI port or am I going to be in the market for a new laptop? Thannk you for your time..
  • 1492's avatar
    1492
    Moderator
    Jul 18, 2015
    It's going to depend on your video adapter, likely part of the mother board, whether it supports mirror display?
  • chuckbear's avatar
    chuckbear
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2015
    It's been a long time since I have worked with Vista. Glad it worked out for you. Chuck
  • DD716TED's avatar
    DD716TED
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2015
    Thanks for the reply... After endless experimenting if found that if (in Vista Only) I select Control Panel / personalize / Display Settings I was able to activate an external monitor (in my case TV connected via HDMI). When the HDMI is connected and working, I lose the display on my laptop.. no problem.. If I need to make a change to my laptop, just remove HDMI cable, make changes and then reconnect HDMI to TV.. works fine and even carries sound...
  • chuckbear's avatar
    chuckbear
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2015
    We have a Toshiba laptop, but I find if I plug the HDMI into the laptop first and then the TV I get the no signal. If I plug in the TV first and then the laptop, it works fine. Can't hurt to try, Also, some laptops we have used to do various presentation have just had lousy HDMI connections at the computer. The Del may just be that way. There should be a Dell tech group somewhere that you could ask. Chuck

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