Can you plug the laptop into an external monitor to see if the problem is replicated there? I'm just thinking out loud but this might tell you if its the screen or a hardware error. If it displays fine on the external device, it's your screen that has issues.
What you might find difficult is getting into control panel to configure for the external device.

I'm just thinking out loud here mate, hopefully someone can recognize your issue and be more helpful than I.

Did you upgrade it to Win7, Boobz, or was that its native OS?  Have you attempted to reset the screen resolution?  Have you updated the nVidia drivers since installing Win7 or could it have defaulted to some generic video driver with a Win7 upgrade?  Would be worth looking in Device Manager to see what driver it is using.  Those are just for starters.

I have the ability but never got around to it ... my cheap thinking at the time was that the same display information would be routed to the other monitor too. I didn't see this as a 'monitor' problem ... I assumed (OMG) that it was the video card but I will rectify this issue later tonight. Just lazy I guess ... I want a new one deep down.

Came with Vista Ultra and replaced it with windows 7 ultimate retail. It has been working quite well except for this 'problem'. The screen res is set to its native resolution and any lower one (only options) just makes things bigger and thus further off my desktop screen (cannot scroll the desktop). I try to keep my drivers up to date and have programs to check for my sorry forgetful arse. I did have to update my desktop yesterday so it is worth a check, thanks. Device mgr. tells me everything onboard is fine and up to date on drivers ... but NVIDIA may have something else to say. I'll be back (shades on), hahaha.

Geeze, I have quite a few (~8) critical updates ... I was amazed and exasperated. Better hold off on the advice until I bring this relic into the 21st century, yikes ... sorry about this whaaa.

It is a mess … but it does appear I have problems due to the new windows 7. None of the updates will run indicating they are for vista … but windows 7 itself doesn’t seem to be recognized either. I am just going to watch another chapter of Star Gate Atlantis, go to bed and worry about this (a little) more tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestions anyway … the saga may continue when I figure out SOMETHING besides the fact it is time for a new one I think.

I hear that! A bit of well placed coffee and a clumsy morning can do wonders. Just don't let the wife see you backing it up!

I am the wife silly hahaha ... but I wouldn't let my big peach know for sure ... backup complete.

OK, let’s be straight here … decision made. The hell with the old rat trap (I will fix it out of spite … or I will use it for target practice) … humm. I have been looking at http://www.alienware.com/Landings/laptops.aspx but am not sure I could handle high from the speed, graphics etc. Not sure how much I need to upgrade … I have to do this some for peace of mind. 1. Memory upgrade, 2. Video card upgrade, 3. CPU upgrade and on and on (I wish). Was looking at the M17xR3 Gaming Laptop – 3D Capable (a have to have right?) at http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-M17x-r3/pd.aspx and then I noticed the DELL part. I have bad memories concerning that company and was wondering if some in the gaming community had info about dell or of other competitive gaming computers. I am trying to stay below $2,500 base price (with upgrades) and would like to be able to almost handle the best graphics out now … don’t need (can’t afford) the best of the best is all. Guess I should try and rename this OP to ‘Need a new badass gaming laptop’ or something?

More like....need a new badass desktop...cos the other is an oxymoron...

Still got a month or two before my desktop becomes obsolete too ... but it will have to wait it's turn. Surely I don't need to control the universe or all the hordes within it ... just reasonably run most games. The reviews (as far as they can be taken seriously) seem to imply that overheating with an upgraded video card could be a problem. Always some aches and pains but pretty positive overall. Got any other suggestions … that might help or is it just a lost cause? I was going to hunt you down about the name change but WTH … It worked, but I confused my way here rather poorly I must say.

I don't think it's as bad as it used to be...but price-wise you'd always get more gaming bang-for-your-buck with a desktop.

Cooling is always going to be the limiting factor on a lappy vid card.

Then again...if 'gaming' means Spider Solitaire then any Lappy will do just fine...

Just tell him he gets more porn this way, he'll fall in line!!

The M17 certainly looks like one nice piece of gear, i couldn't see you needing to get anywhere near your $2500.
I don't game on my laptop (Asus N61J) so i don't have an opinion on the cooling issues, though i would suspect they would be apparent.

I don't think i'd let Dell's ownership of Alienware deter me from buying one though. They only bought them in about 2006 and all that i have read indicates Alienware are pretty autonomous.

There are, not sure what they're called, a cooling plate? Anyway...its supposed to aid in cooling the laptop. Anyone out there know what it is?

Do you really need your gaming setup to be mobile? You could upgrade your desktop for way less than the cost of one of those laptops and it can always be upgraded again. Laptops just stay as is unless you can reliably tinker with them.

I mean I'm looking to fork out no more than £350 ($550) for a mobo bundle to update my 3 year old machine. If you keep your HDD, power supply and that then it's just so much more cheaper plus it's all reusable (to a point). Way easier to cool as well.

They are gonad protectors [essentially]...to stop sterilizing men who use Lappies on their laps....typically a heatsink and fan assembly or 'docking station' to assist with cooling...