I have a Dell Inspiron 1440 laptop and recently it is having some issues with the screen. When it is turned off or goes into sleep mode and is turned back on, the screen stays black. I have to remove the battery and hold down the power button for 10 seconds and then restart the laptop for the screen to come back on.

While the screen is black, I hooked it up to an external monitor and the external monitor worked, showing that the laptop was running. I have updated the BIOS and the video drivers to the most current available but still having this problem.

I even opened up the laptop and made sure the video cable is properly attached which it was. I am not sure what is going on, anyone here with any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks.

is there a setting to set default output (Screen/External?)

sounds like the output defaults to external connection coming out of sleep mode.

I looked for the output settings in the BIOS (which thanks to Dell has hardly any options) and Windows but unfortunately couldn't find anything. I also tried the laptop function keys that sets internal/external outputs but still no joy.

Really confused as to what the problem is. The screen works just fine when it is on. The warranty ran out 5 months ago so Dell is of no help unless I pay them.