The question I have involves the following hardware:Gateway MX3417 Laptop http://support.gateway.com/s//Mobile/Q106/Bishop/1014114Rnv.shtmlWindows 7 RC 64 bit2GB Ram (matched pair)Nvidia Geforce Go 6100 integrated graphics, set at 128mb of shared memoryWhen windows installed it found the drivers for the graphics from nvidia via windows update and everything operates as expected. When an external monitor is connected, the laptop display will turn off and the external will become the primary monitor, this happens regardless of the external monitor is on or off when connected. Additionally it happens on any monitor new or old connected and it does correctly detect and set the resolution and frequency for the monitor. In the Nvidia control panel it does not display the laptop display as existing and the only option for monitors is single display (no other options are shown). Using the windows monitor controls yeilds no different results, it simply acts as if there is no built in monitor at all. One other interesting quirk is that when the external monitor is disconnected the process will not reverse, the computer still acts as if it is connected and the laptop display remains blank. The only way I have found to reset it so that the laptop display can be used is to restart the computer after unplugging the display. Is this a driver/windows issue or a hardware problem? Any thoughts?

Cobra - Most modern laptops have a keystroke combo switch to change from the laptop's monitor, to an external monitor/screen or do both. Check your laptop's manual for the appropriate key stroke. It usually involves the FN key and one of the Function Keys - as in FN+F4 or FN+F7. Try cycling through the appropriate settings and see if that revives your laptop's screen after the monitor's been disconnected.

I did try the hardware keys, and the external display will flicker momentarily but the laptop display remains off. I also tried unplugging the external and using the key combo but nothing changes.

Cobra - Hmmm. That sucks.. I'm going to guess this laptop came with Windows XP SP2... And that this worked fine under that OS...If that's the case, it's highly likely that it's a driver or Windows 7 issue. Have you gone to Nvidia's web site to download and install the latest and greatest video drivers?

No problems under XP, though Nvidia has XP drivers for that exact card. Under 7 they don't list any for that card or chipset for that matter. I did try using 64 bit vista drivers (they were newer oddly enough) though it made no difference from a performance or operational standpoint. I have a feeling I may just have to wait and see if Nvidia updates the driver so for now I may be sol. Thanks for the help.

Cobra - Hmm... On Nvidia's site, I see a number of 6100 series cards supported - granted, the Go model isn't on the list - but it might possibly still work.