HP G60 230US Laptop with backlight issue

[brandonkick]

I've recently "repaired" a laptop screen for someone.

They brought it to me because it would make this "ticking" noise and then the screen would go dark. Normally when a client says "ticking" I think the hard drive is ticking ( head crashing into the platter ) and that's the problem.

This time however it wasn't. The screen was dark but the ticking wasn't coming from the hard drive. I took a flashlight and shined in on the screen to see that indeed the picture was still there just not lit.

So I presume the inverter went bad. Ordered a new one off of ebay, popped it in and the same thing happened.

So now I figure it has to be the bulb. I ordered the bulb, swapped the new one in and now the screen "lights" but it's like the bulb isn't in "right" because the bottom inch or so is very bright and the rest of the screen, while perfectly visible, is considerably dimmer?

What did I do wrong? I think the layers aren't sandwiched together or something. I didn't have to remove all the layers to get this out, just the very top white plastic like sheet.

How can I fix this?

 

[Martyn]

It sounds like the clicking is the inverter shutting and starting. If you haven't got a trapped wire replace the screen.

 

[brandonkick]

It was actually a bad bulb, I replaced the inverter first and the screen behaved the exact same way.

I then replaced the bulb.


The screen lights now and stays lit, however something isn't "right". The bottom inch or so of the screen is really bright and the rest is much dimmer, readable, but still much dimmer.

It's almost like the bulb isn't positioned right or maybe the last layer isn't seated right.

 

[NYJimbo]

You didnt put it in correctly. Normally the light will shine directly through the thick plastic of the LCD layers and it acts like a fiber optic cable (only much wider). The light then bounces off the back white surface and all the rest of the "chamber" that is created by the thick plastic until it escapes through the layers of the LCD plastic which is surfaced in different ways to give maximum diffusion and then through the LCD itself.

What it sounds like is you removed the narrow metal channel that holds the CCFL and when you put it back in your reversed it or put it in the wrong direction so the only light that is hitting the thick plastic is whats escaping around the CCFL channel.

ps - the "ticking" sounds like the inverter being overdrawn by the CCFL, in which case replacing it or the whole screen was the way to go.

 

[brandonkick]

Is there a guide or can you tell me the proper way to put the bulb in?

 

[Martyn]

Is there a guide or can you tell me the proper way to put the bulb in?

I don't anyone does it, it's not cost effective.

 

[brandonkick]

Well this is an odd screen size (16") and the cheapest I could find a replacement for this screen was over $150.

I have $5 into an inverter and $20 into a bulb.. if I can figure out how to insert the bulb correctly it would save the client $125.


Even best case scenario... screens are usually around $50 or a little more with shipping. So even at that rate this is still cheaper.

 

[tek9]

I had the same (or similar) issue with a G60, and posted it here.
According to the advice I got from fellow TN'ers, I advised the customer to either get a LED kit, or just get a new laptop.

 

[altrenda]

Well this is an odd screen size (16") and the cheapest I could find a replacement for this screen was over $150.

I have $5 into an inverter and $20 into a bulb.. if I can figure out how to insert the bulb correctly it would save the client $125.


Even best case scenario... screens are usually around $50 or a little more with shipping. So even at that rate this is still cheaper.

Your time has to be worth something. How much have you spent so far? Plus the client still doesn't have their computer back.

Did you notice how the old bulb was installed when you removed it? This should help getting it back together.

 

[brandonkick]

My time is worth something....

I am doing this repair for a friend so I will not be charging him an arm and a leg. I was going to do this repair for him for $30 plus the cost of parts so $55

This is way cheaper then the $150+ it would take just to buy the replacement screen.

I'm going to try re assembling the LCD screen tonight. I just think the layers aren't seated properly.

 

[NYJimbo]

Did you take the individual screen layers apart or just remove the CCFL channel. I know you have to "sort of" take them apart but I mean did you tear it down to the individual sheets ?

 

[brandonkick]

No I only removed the outermost opaque white sheet. That was all i had to take out in order to remove the bracket that holds the CCFL bulb out.

I then removed it. Ordered the new one and then installed it when it arrived.


So short answer: I only removed the top layer. And that was only in taking it apart the first time. When replacing the bulb I don't think I had to remove the white layer at all.

 

[brandonkick]

So far still no dice. I know that this can be solved.

I am only removing the CCFL channel and not taking apart the layers. Removing only the back white sheet. The next thing down is the "LCD sandwhich" is the thick white plastic.

There is a sort of "white tubeing" that the bulb sits down in. I think it is intended to overlap the end of the thick white sheet in order to divert all the light directly into the thick plastic layer. I think what is happening is that when I push the channel back down into the LCD housing that those white flaps are getting pushed down and thus cutting off the light (and not seating on the top and bottom of that thick plastic sheet.

I'm going to keep trying. Any more advice?

If I can't get it perfect I'm going to give it back to my friend as is and only charge him for the parts. The laptop would still be usable, just the screen wouldn't get very bright.

 

[Vyper28]

Does this have anything you missed in it?

Link

I've never had the problem you're describing but I've swapped 3 or 4 bulbs in the past.

 

[brandonkick]

That should help me. I think the reason is that I need to take it apart more in order to get the CCFL bulb and the reflective layer seated right. I think right now I'm running into an issue where the reflective channel is being pinched and thus not allowing all the light into the "thick" plastic sheet (diffuser?) so that it can light up the entire screen evenly.

I'm going to take the screen apart like the guide says and try to do it that way. Should work just fine.

 

[brandonkick]

Works perfectly now! Thanks!

I removed the outer metal bracket from the LCD screen.

Then i removed the LCD itself with the circuit board attached. At that point I was able to reinsert the CCFL channel and it fit properly. I screwed the CCFL channel in place and then put the LCD "sandwich" back together.

Laptop is now up and running with the screen just as the day it left the factory!

 

[Vyper28]

Good to hear !

Response too short so how is the weather?