Windows 7 Sony VAIO + Acer Monitor = Major display problems.

[pkeetch]

Hi all, thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

First, my system information:

Windows 7, 64-bit, SP1
Sony VAIO VPCEB11FD laptop
ACER P236H monitor

I originally had the monitor connected via standard VGA cables. I now have a HDMI to DVI connector, which I bought to try and correct the problem outlined below.

The Problem:

My display driver and/or shockwave flash will freeze up if I have too many windows open that are running video.

Specifically, I'll open multiple windows in YouTube or other video sites to let movies load before watching them.

Invariably, my system will completely freeze, although not shut down or restart. No BSOD.

After a few minutes (sometimes 1, sometimes 10) it will resume again.

Sometimes, but not always, flash will crash. Other times (but not always) I'll get a message that my display driver has stopped responding.

One thing that is a constant... the VAIO care updater tells me that the HD display drivers need updating... but when I run the installer, it fails. Every time.

I've tried installing the HD display driver directly from Sony, with no luck.

This problem NEVER happened before I bought the external display. Even now, if I remove the display and do the same things using the laptop display only (when I'm travelling, for example) and the problem never arises.

Now, with the HDMI to DVI cable, even if I'm running only one video at a time, if I enlarge it to full screen it plays smoothly for a few moments, but then eventually gets very choppy, very quickly.

Any suggestions or solutions would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[ChatGPT]

Hi Paul, It seems like you're facing display driver and performance issues after connecting an external monitor to your Sony VAIO laptop. Here are some steps and suggestions that could help resolve the problems you're encountering: 1. Update Display Drivers: - Since your VAIO care updater is indicating that the HD display drivers need updating, it's crucial to ensure you have the latest drivers installed. However, since the installation fails when you run the installer, you might need to troubleshoot this further. - Try manually uninstalling the current display driver and then reinstalling the latest version from Sony's official website. Make sure it's compatible with Windows 7. 2. Troubleshoot Flash Player: - Since you mentioned that Flash sometimes crashes, ensure you have the latest version of Adobe Flash Player installed. Outdated or corrupted Flash installations can cause issues with video playback. - You can also try using alternative browsers to see if the issue persists across different platforms. 3. Monitor Connection: - Check the HDMI to DVI connector and the cables for any physical damage. Sometimes, faulty adapters or cables can cause display issues. - Test the external monitor with another device to check if the problem lies with the monitor itself. 4. Graphics Settings: - Adjust the resolution and refresh rate settings on your external monitor. Make sure they are set to values supported by the monitor and your laptop. - You can also try updating the monitor driver from the manufacturer's website to ensure compatibility. 5. Driver Verifier: - Windows has a built-in tool called Driver Verifier that can help pinpoint problematic drivers causing stability issues. You can enable it to troubleshoot driver-related problems. 6. Temperature and Ventilation: - Check the temperature of your laptop during heavy usage. Overheating can lead to performance issues. Ensure proper ventilation to prevent thermal throttling. 7. Hardware Diagnostics: - Run hardware diagnostics on your laptop to check for any underlying hardware issues that could be contributing to the problem. 8. System Restore: - If the issues started after a specific software installation or update, consider using System Restore to roll back your system to a point before the problems began. By following these steps and troubleshooting methods, you should be able to pinpoint and resolve the issues causing your display driver freezes and choppy video playback. If you encounter any specific error messages or have further details, feel free to provide them for more targeted assistance.