A black strip about 50mm wide has recently appeared on the right side of my laptop screen. It is always there - during startup, in the BIOS screen, in Safe Mode and if I change the screen resolutions. I've updated the drivers for the Intel 945 GM Express Chipset but no good. I'm beginning to think it is a hardware fault in the graphics.

If it is a hardware fault, is there any way to test to be sure. More importantly, can the graphics card be replaced or is it integrated to the motherboard?

All/any help appreciated

Thanks.

Another thing to try if possible is to plug in a monitor (if you've got a spare or if you can borrow one). There should be a port for an external monitor on the back or side of the laptop.

If everything is ok with a monitor plugged in, that would suggest a problem with the laptop screen, otherwise it probably is the graphics chip.

The graphics is integrated, which would mean replacing the motherboard.

Just tried the laptop on a monitor and it was all clear. The display was totally normal on the monitor screen but is still present on the laptop. Guess it's a screen issue although I have no idea what would have happened to it to make this happen.

Thanks for the help Mart. I'm not sure what I'll do next but worst case, I know I can connect to a monitor.