I have a Dell Inspiron 9400 with Windows XP installed. I have the laptop since April 2007.
Yeasterday I left the laptop in stand-by for about 1 hour, when I got back the screen was black and could not be revived in any mode.
I have switched off the PC by pressing the power button until power went off.

When I try to start the laptop the Dell logo would come on with a weird pattern of green dots in the back ground, then the usual XP logo would come on, still green dot pattern all over the screen and then the screen would go blank.

I have ran all the available system diagnostics for Memory, Harddisk and system componenents at start-up and they all passed. In addition the laptops power sources are working well.

Then I have run the genuine Dell-XP CD Rom and run the 'Repair Installation' option.
This would run normally and even the screen was normal until after the first Boot request. Then rebootet the PC and configuration would go on for about 10 minutes ... then the screen just blanks out again.

Please help ... I need some fresh ideas on what else I could do.

you got it in April, 2007? is less then a year. don;'t u still have Dell support and/or warranty coverage to try? (though, granted, dell support can be its own problem sometimes) ,

Yes, I do have Dell support and warranty for hardware. At this point I am just not sure if it is a hardware problem or due to a bad driver or some other updates that were automatically installed.

webolution, don't worry. this is warranty case. this is dead videocard.

Understand, but how long is your warrranty? for each of parts/labor/support.... is better to start calling and getting your problem on record now still a month before any coverage ends.

btw... don't know what type of support coverage you have but i've been using Dell Latitudes for years. And never had a really bad complaint calling Dell for service.

BUT! that was until i called them about my sister's computer - a small, personal desktop system. Now, each time i called support i felt it was a 180degree flip from what i was used to. "Tech support through the looking glass". I was always reaching someone working in a call center half way around the world (which wouldn't be the issue if i could understand everything they said). I'm also convinced the staff computer training consists of making sure they can read a computer generated diagnostic help guide.

BUT i did also learn that if you are getting nowhere, insist on talking to a "specialist:". They will schedule a time for someone to call you back. And i got someone who i could converse technically with and solved the problem.

The other thing to learn from the experience: Pay for "Gold Support" which isn't that much extra. Guarantees you are routed to North American support and have a much better chance u get someone who really knows what they're talking about

But if Gold Service is not an option for you, again, I'd call Dell to at least get the problem on record and started well within the last month of any coverage

Everybody, thank you so much for your help.
It is in fact a dead video card and Dell support have already replied.