L421 Displayport to DVI

[beovvulf]

I am using a L421 with Windows 7 and I want to connect it to my external monitor (NEC AS191WM) via DVI-D, so I purchased a generic Displayport to DVI-D cable.  When I hooked everything up, the monitor shows "no signal" on the screen.  When I use VGA it works with no issues.  I want to use the DVI-D because the VGA connector is not very secure on the laptop (i.e.. I keep accidentally disconnecting it) and I want to get the little boost in quality that comes with a digital connection over analog.  I do not have access to another monitor to test the cable, or I would have tried that.  Is there anything else I can try to get this to work?

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

it is hard to say whether this is a cable problem, monitor problem, converter problem or the laptop problem without having a second laptop or second monitor to test.

I assume you got the discrete GPU right? try to output to the DP using the discrete GPU control panel rather than the windows version.

[beovvulf]

I do not have discrete graphics, and the Intel graphics controls do not mention displayport at all.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

go into your BIOS under display there is an option to output to external LCD through displayport only (or digital video or something).

Connect the laptop to the external display + external keyboard, start the laptop and close the internal LCD, and see whether anything pops up on the external display. If it doesn't, then it could mean:

1. LCD DVI port is broken.
2. DVI cable is not functioning correctly.
3. DP to DVI converter is not working.
4. DP is broken.