I have a 2 1/2 yr old HP Pavillion $999 that just went blank on 1/2 the screen. It seems to function alright, otherwise. I use it three times a week for gigs, but can work around for awhile. I am guessing the video card went bad. Would you try and fix it, or buy a new one ?

I guess it would depend on the estimate, but I have to have dependabiliy.

Id probably buy another I have 3 laptops....but my latest Lenovo S series 9black0 is the best small and excellent for the stage.
And the price is right.
http://shop.lenovo.com/us/notebooks/ideapad/s-series

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 03-11-2009).]

Thanks Donny
Can you read lyrics alright from a 10" screen. Do you need an upgrade to the soundcard for Midi ?

Bernie I have no problem reading lyrics when I need them from the Lenovo using MS WORD with 12/14pt Fonts...also, this screen is very bright & clear looks great on stage...it's quality built too.Fits right in your KB Gig carry bag also.

Could very well be your video card. The HP Pavilion was the worst laptop decision my wife and I have ever made. NOTHING but problems from this thing. There are 1000's of reports out there about faulty video cards, sound cards, and motherboards. I spoke with a repair tech not too long ago (old friend of ours) and he joked with me.., and the said the laptop problems we're having is "we bought an HP Pavilion" There was a recall on several HP Pavilion models too.., and the problems all had to do with bad video cards and faulty motherboards. I was told by a tech that ONE huge problem with HP Pav laptops is actually a program that does not like to work with ANYTHING.., (not even itself). That program is the HP desktop manager. It's HUGE.., is always running and has MANY MANY MANY software glitches that cause the system to run poorly.

Good luck and I hope you get your HP Pav back up and running. My wife said she'll never buy another one (and she's very proficient with computers too.., tons of computer prog. courses (not basic classes either--real courses like Cobalt, C++ and other programing course.. She can run speak and program DOS in her sleep too)

Thanks Squeak

In searching the net, I read that if the display works on a tv monitor, it is not a video card,or inverter, but the LCD. Mine works fine on my tv. It shows 1/2 the screen on the laptop, and the other half is two broad bands of color. A new 17" screen is $200 plus labor. A tough call.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4Lku2gc1q0&feature=related

I looked at the Acer 10.2" and it is a nice size, but I doubt I can use it for Midifiles, as I use an Echo soundcard which is pmcia. The only other thing I have is Creative X-FI, which I could load. The Roland G70 is amout equal to my soundcard and superior to windows. Maybe using the G70 for midi backup and other stationary lyrics on my Musicpad Pro, I don't need a laptop. Mp3 can go through the Roland via my Sansa. If I got anything, it would be the Lenevo.

What other use is there ?

Bernie, if you're using a G70 on the job, there's really no need for a laptop. The G will handle all your midis and lyrics. Are you using the keyboard as midi plays thru? Still should be no problem. If you're using a second keyboard then the G70 is taking up wasted space if you're not using it for SMFs and lyrics. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

As for the HP Latitude, my brother-in-law has a video problem also. He has a series of colored stripes or bands coming in from the right side. It seems to be growing, so if you have any repair or recall info, please post or forward to me. Thanks

cassp50@gmail.com

Cassp,I use the G70 for playing with and without midi. The laptop is used for playing along with my singer. I use MidiComposer to make a lead sheet with chords. The midifile then plays the song, minus my parts, and scolls the lyrics for her at the same time, and melody notes for me. Sometimes I use CD&G Karaoke files with Power Karaoke Pro software when I need audio. I can work around this if I have to.

I hauled my old IBM Thinkpad with Windows 2000 Pro out of my closet, and am testing it. It is ten years old, but may do in a pinch.

I ordered the Lenovo S10 per Donny's suggestion, as it is the only netbook with an express slot. I can get a PCMCIA adaptor to to use my soundcard. The 17" HP is too big, anyway. It is hard to get it in a position not to obstruct my eye contact, even if it was working. As Donny says,"no looking back".

Bernie good luck what color did you get?

I wanted black but it was sold out, and I am not a patient man, so I settled for white(better than pink). I bought it at Amazon for $349 to arrive Tommorrow. It even can fit on my G70, and as I sit high, I can look over it with ease. Hey, if it works for you-----

WTG Bernie enjoy it!....

G70 has video out... Why not use the G70 for everything? Get a VGA cheap display for the singer. Now you are BOTH on the same page...

There's even an undocumented way to have five pages of lyrics easily displayed even when you are in Style Mode. You Link an SMF to the UPG with the style, load up the lyrics to the SMF in five chunks, sync them to different bars in the SMF (first page in Bar1), place Markers at those other bars, then you can 'turn the page' by hitting the four Marker buttons and get back to Page one by hitting 'TOP'...

My only wish is for Roland to allow smaller fonts, as I can read a bit smaller fonts, and you could get more on one page.

But it's amazing what you can make the old girl do, if you don't take any notice of what Roland says it CAN'T do!

space the sequence far enough for the next page so it won't change till tou need to view another full page..and set marksers...You have the begining of the sequence for page 1, and 4 more markers for 4 more pages..a total of 5 pages of lyrics..and they can be a verse on each page allowing you to go back to another verse or bridge.

The video out idea is good,but the laptop displays both lyrics and notes/chords. The G70 provides either/or(AFAIK).

The other problem is that there is no VGA connection, but S-video type. I have a VGA monitor, but the last time I looked for an adaptor(S-video to VGA), it was about $60.

I rec'd my Lenovo S10 today, and it is just what I needed. I set the netbook on the G70 and run the sound through the aux ins with the volume at my fingertips. Just marvelous. Thanks Donny

Bernie, that is how I run it too..everything right at my finger tips, and all control from the G70..It can't get better than that..

You bet,Fran