Latitude D630 - video died

It sounds the machine itself is probably not worth repairing. You can get an inexpensive USB - IDE enclosure for 2.5 and 3.5 inch drives. Get on for your drive and then hook up the drive to a working system to recover the data.

Another option is to get an exact mate from eBay or like source, put your drive in it and move on from there.
... Thinkpads_User

Does your laptop have a plug for a monitor right on the side? While your laptop video might be shot you could possible setup a monitor on it to get your files off, or even use it as a desktop.

Awesome ideas.  I never been a big fan of Dell laptops.

Go Thnkpads!!

External monitor same thing.  No video.

I assumed as much which is why I did not recommend an external monitor.  ... Thinkpads_User

Typically you would have to replace the motherboard.

or

Try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h4fggTK-0I   :-)

I wonder how much that video graphic chip would cost.  Would it worth it to replace.

Also, where would you buy it?

You could also try a  USB2.0 to IDE/SATA Adapter. That will let you connect the hard drive directly to a working PC and connect it via USB instead of having to install it into the other computer. What you'd be looking for is one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232002

My data is safe.  I was able to back it up a day prior.  

do you see a very faint image, or none ?
anyhow, this is useful for troubleshooting : http://www.lcdparts.net/howto/troubleshooting/troubleshootingLaptop.aspx      

would buy it on ebay

You should post more details in what exactly is ment under died and dying slowly.
If the problem has something to do with a dim display - (image can be seen but is verry verry dark), the backlight is probably the problem. You should first try to reseat the lcd cable on the graca - see on dells support page for a on-line service guide step by step explanation how to do it. It should be verry easy - maybe you just need to remove the plastic part over the keyboard...
Anyway if the backlight is dead you could search for a inverter for that panel and have it replaced- that should fix the problem and it is far cheaper than replace the whole panel.

If the problem is not related to a dim display, you should check if an external panel works, to know if the panel or graca are faulty. Attach an external panel, and detach the cable from graca to the internal lcd (same as described above-use dells guide)- the system should automaticaly switch to external when not detecting the internal lcd...

The last explanation for your issue could be a no post situation (not no video), therefore additional description to the problem would help to troubleshoot further.

Thanks, Ostap.  Love the name!
The details are the picture was freezing to the poing I needed to reboot.  BSOD suggested the video driver or the device failure.  
Finally the screen is dead now.  I can only see some backlight but no picture at all.  

Good idea on how to check the external monitor.  I never heard graca but now good chance to explore.  

Thanks again!!

did you use the guide i posted?  it explains how to check lcd problems

This problem can be reliably fixed!

The D630 system is definitely worth it.

Take it to the hardware repair shop - they can reflow or better reball the nvidia card or reflow GM965 northbrige if you don't have nvidia.

I do this kind of repairs on D630 every day. The repair is worth $50-$120.
Don't throw out this system - it's a good one - better repair it.
Even now I'm writing this comment from exactly same laptop which used to have the same problem.
If it's nvidia card it's a factory design problem but hardware repair shop can even change it for the same chip of revision A3 which doesn't have this fault.

Petr

Nobus, that troubleshooting guide doesn't really help me.  My screen is completely blank.  I do see some light thought it like the backlight is working.  

I want to eliminate the screen or the chip.  Is there a way to connect the external monitor to test it out?  

Shef - Thanks for the input.  If I 100% sure this is a chip problem.   Where can I get that chip?  or a better chip like you mentioned.  I have all tools needed and belive I can do the job.

I have an interesting update.  I removed the LCD screen, unplugged the LCD connector and plugged in external known working display.  The screen on external display looks like this (image attached).
screenD630.jpg

So it's not the actual card but a chip on the motherboard, right?  

The "graphic card" on this model is integrated on the motherboard - but it's usual dedicated card with it's own memory and vga bios.

So Yep it's the chip on motherboard - but repairable.

I wish I can find those repair shops in the San Francisco Bay area.  Anyone know anything like this around?

I don't have a hot air station to do this on my own.

Thanks.

You can get this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hot-Air-Gun-Rework-Station-BGA-Soldering-Reballing-858D-/330444994413?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf00e776d

The hot-air station is very useful...

You can use these to get the job done:
http://www.alllaptoprepair.com/

Petr

OK, let me try this and let you know how is it going..  Thank you!