How to determine if HDMI problem is caused by software or hardware?

[wahhaj]

I've been trying to connect my laptop to my TV but it wont work. After reading several posts about hdmi not connecting to TVs and trying everything to no avail, I ran a few tests to see where the problem was. The TV and HDMI cables are working fine as I used another laptop to check. It means that the problem is in my laptop. How do I determine if the problem is due to a broken port or because of software.

I'm using windows 10 with the recent update. i7 3630qm and gtx 660m. I should point out that in the few years I've had my laptop, I don't remember ever using the HDMI port on it.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Since this is a " High end " laptop card you have Multi-monitor options with the CPU and Video card, not just a plug and play Video port typical of low end laptops. You have a Intel GPU and a Nvidia GPU in your Device manager... make sure no confusion is going on there between device's, OR for "Ownership" of the HDMI port... Check your manual/PDF for more information on the HDMI port configuration.

1) Disable Intel CPU/GPU? or release HDMI port from the Intel Graphics APP or in the BIO's?
2) Does the Nvidia software have the external HDMI output enabled?
3) Does the Nvidia software report seeing the TV, when plugged in?
4) Use Windows settings to Enable "duplicate" mode in the "Screen resolution" screen.

 

[wahhaj]

1) I tried disabling the cpu and gpu from device manager but that did nothing. Couldn't figure out how to release HDMI port
2, 3) Nvidia control panel has no display tab. I googled it and it seems that this is normal behaviour since there is no display connected to the graphics card. The display controls go through the CPU so NVidia control panel can't do anything.
4)This was one of the first things I tried. Cycled through all 4 display options but nothing worked.

Just to make sure it wasn't my drivers, I did a clean install and got the newest NVidia drivers. Still nothing.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... What are your BIO's options? with regard to enable/disable with the CPU/IGT and the GTX660M?

 

[wahhaj]

Hello... What are your BIO's options? with regard to enable/disable with the CPU/IGT and the GTX660M?

It's set to use switchable graphics. I tried to disable each of of them through device manager to check but that didn't work.

EDIT: Set laptop to use UMA graphics in BIOS. Still getting no signal on the tv. It detects the connection but doesn't display anything. Tried two other laptops, one with a gtx 850m, and they both connected properly. What do you think, broken port on my laptop?

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... What does your manual/PDF say about the use of the HDMI port?

Typically... Windows assigns a screen # for each display output... and it is possible to have something connected, but not see a desktop display... because of screen and output "identity".