Monitor keeps turning off

To me this is a hardware problem.

Let's diagnose, and see Shunka_Reid.
Connect a VGA monitor to the laptop.

A) Laptop OFF, monitor OFF, connect a VGA monitor to the VGA port, on the laptop.

http://support.gateway.com/s/notebook/2009/gateway/nv/NV78/NV78lv.shtml

Number 3 - External VGA display port

General example of VGA connector (port), and VGA cable,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_Connector

Scroll down a little for the VGA cable example.

You can use a CRT type of monitor, (Looks like a small TV), or a flat LCD screen monitor if it has a VGA cable.
General example of a CRT type of monitor,

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-crt-monitor.htm

B) Turn the monitor on. If a CRT type allow it to warm up.
Turn the laptop on.
By factory default settings, the display should show on the external VGA monitor.

IF not;
There are at least 3 display options available;
1) Internal monitor of laptop ONLY
2) Internal monitor of laptop AND external VGA monitor.
3) External VGA monitor ONLY.

Press, and hold the Fn key down, and at the SAME time tap once on the F4 key.
The F4 key is the Display Toggle-Over key.

Still no?
Hold the Fn key down again, and tap on the F4 key once more.

Do you get a good display on the external VGA monitor?
Post back in a Comment.

Also, has the laptop ever been cleaned on the Inside, to your knowledge?

Regards,
joecoolvette

The Fn+F4 button toggles between the LCD and external monitor.
From LCD only or both LCD and external monitor or external monitor.
only. Press the Fn+F4 keys again to toggle the various screen selections.

This issue could be due to presence of static charges or internal hardware malfunction of the notebook. To isolate the exact cause of the issue, perform the steps provided below.

Step 1: Hard Reset

To perform a hard reset, please follow the steps listed below:

1. Unplug the AC adapter from the notebook PC and remove from any port replicator or docking station.
2. Remove the battery from the notebook battery compartment.
3. Press and hold down the power button for about 20 seconds.
4. Insert the battery and plug the AC adapter back into the notebook PC.
5. Press the power button to turn the notebook PC back on.


This will discharge the static charges from the notebook. Now turn on the notebook and check for the issue. If the issue persists, then remove and reseat the memory modules of the notebook and check for the issue.

Step 2: Remove and Reseat the Memory Modules

You can refer the service manual provided below for information to remove and reseat the memory modules of the notebook.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01602064.pdf

Refer page no: 52 & 53
NOTE: PDF manuals require the Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing and printing.
Further, if the issue persists after performing the above steps, then the issue could be due to hardware malfunction of the video card or defective LCD display screen of the notebook. Hence, I recommend you to connect an external monitor to the notebook and then check whether the display works fine on external monitor or not.

Step 3: External Monitor

You can follow the steps listed below to connect an external monitor to the notebook.

1. Turn off the notebook.
2. Connect the monitor cable from the external monitor to the monitor port on the rear of the computer.
3. Connect the monitor to a power source and turn it on.
4. Press the Power button to turn on the computer.

At this time, please follow the instructions mentioned below for switching the display to the external monitor:

The notebook's video card supports three modes. Built-in screen only; external video only; and both on simultaneously (mirrored). If you're not seeing the image on the desired device(s), the notebook's video card is probably in another mode. Press FN + F4 to cycle through the display options: Notebook display, External monitor, both.

If you press FN + F4 once, the external monitor will display & there will be no Notebook LCD display.
If you press FN + F4 twice, the external monitor will display & there will be some shading on the Notebook LCD.
If you press FN + F4 thrice, both Notebook LCD & external monitor will display.

If the issue persists on the external monitor, then this could be due to defective video card on the notebook. However, if the display on the external monitor is fine, then the issue is with the LCD display panel of the notebook. In either cases, the notebook requires a detailed onsite diagnosis by a service technician.

I believe the information provided would be helpful to isolate the issue with your notebook.

This issue could be due to presence of static charges or internal hardware malfunction of the notebook. To isolate the exact cause of the issue, perform the following steps.

Step 1: Hard Reset

To perform a hard reset, please follow the steps listed below:

1. Unplug the AC adapter from the notebook PC and remove from any port replicator or docking station.
2. Remove the battery from the notebook battery compartment.
3. Press and hold down the power button for about 20 seconds.
4. Insert the battery and plug the AC adapter back into the notebook PC.
5. Press the power button to turn the notebook PC back on.

This will discharge the static charges from the notebook. Now check if the notebook works fine or not. However, if the notebook turns on and if the display stays blank then connect an external monitor to the notebook and check for the display on it.

Step 2: External Monitor

You can follow the steps below to connect an external monitor to the notebook.

1. Turn off the notebook.
2. Connect the monitor cable from the external monitor to the monitor port on the rear/side of the computer.
3. Connect the monitor to a power source and turn it on.
4. Press the Power button to turn on the computer.

At this time, please follow the instructions mentioned below for switching the display to the external monitor:

The notebook's video card supports three modes. Built-in screen only; external video only; and both on simultaneously (mirrored). If you're not seeing the image on the desired device(s), the notebook's video card is probably in another mode. Press FN + F4 to cycle through the display options: Notebook display, External monitor, both.

If you press FN + F4 once, the external monitor will display & there will be no Notebook LCD display.
If you press FN + F4 twice, the external monitor will display & there will be some shading on the Notebook LCD.
If you press FN + F4 thrice, both Notebook LCD & external monitor will display.

If the issue persists on the external monitor, then this could be due to defective video card on the notebook. However, if the display on the external monitor is fine, then the issue is with the LCD display panel of the notebook.
Incase, if the notebook does not turn on at all then the issue is due to internal hardware malfunction. In all the cases, the notebook requires a detailed onsite diagnosis by a service technician.

If your notebook is under HP warranty, then I suggest you to contact HP support to get the notebook repaired under warranty.

This issue could be due to presence of static charges on the notebook or hardware malfunction of the display screen or defective video card on the notebook. To isolate the exact cause of the issue, perform the following steps.

Step 1: Hard Reset

1. Unplug the AC adapter from the notebook PC and remove from any port replicator or docking station.
2. Remove the battery from the notebook battery compartment.
3. Press and hold down the power button for about 20 seconds.
4. Insert the battery and plug the AC adapter back into the notebook PC.
5. Press the power button to turn the notebook PC back on.

This will discharge the static charges from the notebook. Now check for the issue. If the issue persists, then connect an external monitor to the notebook and check for the issue on it.

Step 2: External Monitor

You can follow the steps below to connect an external monitor to the notebook.

1. Turn off the notebook.
2. Connect the monitor cable from the external monitor to the monitor port on the rear/side of the computer.
3. Connect the monitor to a power source and turn it on.
4. Press the Power button to turn on the computer.

At this time, please follow the instructions mentioned below for switching the display to the external monitor:

The notebook's video card supports three modes. Built-in screen only; external video only; and both on simultaneously (mirrored). If you're not seeing the image on the desired device(s), the notebook's video card is probably in another mode. Press FN + F4 to cycle through the display options: Notebook display, External monitor, both.

If you press FN + F4 once, the external monitor will display & there will be no Notebook LCD display.
If you press FN + F4 twice, the external monitor will display & there will be some shading on the Notebook LCD.
If you press FN + F4 thrice, both Notebook LCD & external monitor will display.

If the issue persists on the external monitor, then this could be due to defective video card on the notebook. However, if the display on the external monitor is fine, then the issue is with the LCD display panel of the notebook. In either cases, the notebook requires a detailed onsite diagnosis by a service technician.

If your notebook is covered under the HP warranty, then I would suggest you to contact HP to get the notebook repaired under warranty from HP.

The issue seems to be due to defective video card on the notebook. Connect and external monitor to the PC and check if it works fine or not. You can follow the steps listed below to connect an external monitor.

1. Turn off the notebook.
2. Connect the monitor cable from the external monitor to the monitor port on the rear/side of the computer.
3. Connect the monitor to a power source and turn it on.
4. Press the Power button to turn on the computer.

At this time, please follow the instructions mentioned below for switching the display to the external monitor:

The notebook's video card supports three modes. Built-in screen only; external video only; and both on simultaneously (mirrored). If you're not seeing the image on the desired device(s), the notebook's video card is probably in another mode. Press FN + F4 to cycle through the display options: Notebook display, External monitor, both.

If you press FN + F4 once, the external monitor will display & there will be no Notebook LCD display.
If you press FN + F4 twice, the external monitor will display & there will be some shading on the Notebook LCD.
If you press FN + F4 thrice, both Notebook LCD & external monitor will display.

If the issue persists on the external monitor, then this could be due to defective video card on the notebook. However, if the display on the external monitor is fine, then the issue is with the LCD display panel of the notebook. In either cases, the notebook requires a detailed onsite diagnosis by a service technician.

If your PC is under warranty, contact HP to get available options to get the notebook repaired under warranty.

Hi, to isolate the issue perform the following.

Step 1: Hard Reset
To perform a hard reset, please follow the steps listed below:

1. Unplug the AC adapter from the notebook PC and remove from any port replicator or docking station.
2. Remove the battery from the notebook battery compartment.
3. Press and hold down the power button for about 20 seconds.
4. Insert the battery and plug the AC adapter back into the notebook PC.
5. Press the power button to turn the notebook PC back on.


Step 2 :External Monitor
1. Turn off the notebook.
2. Connect the monitor cable from the external monitor to the monitor port on the rear of the computer.
3. Connect the monitor to a power source and turn it on.
4. Press the Power button to turn on the computer.

At this time, please follow the instructions mentioned below for switching the display to the external monitor:

The notebook's video card supports three modes. Built-in screen only; external video only; and both on simultaneously (mirrored). If you're not seeing the image on the desired device(s), the notebook's video card is probably in another mode. Press FN + F4 to cycle through the display options: Notebook display, External monitor, both.

If you press FN + F4 once, the external monitor will display & there will be no Notebook LCD display.
If you press FN + F4 twice, the external monitor will display & there will be some shading on the Notebook LCD.
If you press FN + F4 thrice, both Notebook LCD & external monitor will display.

If the issue persists on the external monitor, then this could be due to defective video card on the notebook. However, if the display on the external monitor is fine, then the issue is with the LCD display panel of the notebook.

This could be due to hardware malfunction of the video card on the notebook. To isolate this, perform the following steps.
*** Hard Reset ***
To perform a hard reset, please follow the steps listed below:

1. Unplug the AC adapter from the notebook PC and remove from any port replicator or docking station.
2. Remove the battery from the notebook battery compartment.
3. Press and hold down the power button for about 20 seconds.
4. Insert the battery and plug the AC adapter back into the notebook PC.
5. Press the power button to turn the notebook PC back on.
After performing the above step, if the issue persists, then connect an external monitor to the notebook and check if the display comes on external monitor or not.
*** External Monitor ***
1. Turn off the notebook.
2. Connect the monitor cable from the external monitor to the monitor port on the rear/side of the computer.
3. Connect the monitor to a power source and turn it on.
4. Press the Power button to turn on the computer.

At this time, please follow the instructions mentioned below for switching the display to the external monitor:

The notebook's video card supports three modes. Built-in screen only; external video only; and both on simultaneously (mirrored). If you're not seeing the image on the desired device(s), the notebook's video card is probably in another mode. Press FN + F4 to cycle through the display options: Notebook display, External monitor, both.

If you press FN + F4 once, the external monitor will display & there will be no Notebook LCD display.
If you press FN + F4 twice, the external monitor will display & there will be some shading on the Notebook LCD.
If you press FN + F4 thrice, both Notebook LCD & external monitor will display.

If the issue persists on the external monitor, then this could be due to defective video card on the notebook. However, if the display on the external monitor is fine, then the issue is with the LCD display panel of the notebook. In either cases, the notebook requires a detailed onsite diagnosis by a service technician.

This could be due to presence of static charges or hardware malfunction of video card or defective LCD display screen of your notebook. To isolate this issue, perform the following:

HARD RESET

To perform a hard reset, please follow the steps listed below:

1. Unplug the AC adapter from the notebook PC and remove from any port replicator or docking station.
2. Remove the battery from the notebook battery compartment.
3. Press and hold down the power button for about 20 seconds.
4. Insert the battery and plug the AC adapter back into the notebook PC.
5. Press the power button to turn the notebook PC back on.


This will discharge the static charges from the notebook. Now check for the issue. If the issue persists then connect an external monitor to the notebook and check if it works fine. You can follow the steps listed below to connect an external monitor to the notebook.

1. Turn off the notebook.
2. Connect the monitor cable from the external monitor to the monitor port on the rear/side of the computer.
3. Connect the monitor to a power source and turn it on.
4. Press the Power button to turn on the computer.

At this time, please follow the instructions mentioned below for switching the display to the external monitor:

The notebook's video card supports three modes. Built-in screen only; external video only; and both on simultaneously (mirrored). If you're not seeing the image on the desired device(s), the notebook's video card is probably in another mode. Press FN + F4 to cycle through the display options: Notebook display, External monitor, both.

If you press FN + F4 once, the external monitor will display & there will be no Notebook LCD display.
If you press FN + F4 twice, the external monitor will display & there will be some shading on the Notebook LCD.
If you press FN + F4 thrice, both Notebook LCD & external monitor will display.

If the issue persists on the external monitor, then this could be due to defective video card on the notebook. However, if the display on the external monitor is fine, then the issue is with the LCD display panel of the notebook. In either cases, the notebook requires a detailed onsite diagnosis by a service technician.

Press Fn F4
Some computers think they have a monitor already plugged in. Pressing Fn F4 changes the default monitor to the secondary monitor which you have plugged in.

Hope this helps ^^. Please dont forget to rate, Thanks