Laptop screen turns red before going black?

[ComputerRepublic]

I have a customer who brought in a laptop that is having some display problems. When you first turn it on, the screen has a red hue to it, and a few seconds after the backlight will cut out.

At first I thought it's probably the inverter, but now I'm not so sure. Would a faulty inverter cause the screen to display red? You would think that's a problem with the graphics card but then why would the backlight cut out a few seconds after booting it up?

What do you guys think it could be?

 

[MobileTechie]

The CCFL tube is going.

Needs a new screen unless you like getting fiddly and replacing the tube. I wouldn't recommend that.

 

[javjim]

check the cable I have replaced the lcd cable for a computer that had a red hue

It could also fix the issue with the screen going black if the inverter is not getting a good signal from the Motherboard.

then if its still having the backlight issue it could be either the inverter or the backlight.

but for the hue, I am sure that is the cable

 

[abyssinian]

The inverter can cause what you describe, but +1 for failing CCFL tube. If it's for a customer, you'll want to replace the screen. Too much risk and time involved for the amount of money you could charge vs just replacing the entire screen. If it's your own laptop, no reason not to try and replace the CCFL, and save some money.

 

[NYJimbo]

Sad part about replacing the inverter alone is that if the CCFL is going the machine will look great for a while with a new inverter and then the CCFL will kill the inverter again.

Likewise if you replace the CCFL/LCD you might as well price in a new inverter as it might already be damaged. I've done new screens on old laptops that come back later with dead inverters.

LCD diagnostics can be a real b!tch sometimes.

 

[abyssinian]

Likewise if you replace the CCFL/LCD you might as well price in a new inverter as it might already be damaged.

100% agree. I almost put this in my first reply myself. Many inverters can be found new for less than $10.

 

[Adept PC Repair]

If the backlight goes out, you're definitely looking at inverter or backlight

 

[nationalinquirer]

red tinge

A red tinge is a sign of a failing backlight. Replace the backlight. Be happy

 

[EmpireDigitalTech]

A red tinge is a sign of a failing backlight. Replace the backlight. Be happy

^^ This, red tint is the bulb failing.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

I have a customer who brought in a laptop that is having some display problems. When you first turn it on, the screen has a red hue to it, and a few seconds after the backlight will cut out.

I'm pretty much agree with everyone else. I've seen Macbooks that get to be in the 3-4 year old range and almost like clockwork, screen comes on and goes dark a few seconds later. Needs new LCD/ccfl every time. Most of these ccfl tubes only are rated for so many hours dependent on age and screen settings life cycles very. But as stated earlier, their lifespan seems to hit between the 3-4 year mark on most cases.

But seriously, judging from your original post, you need to know that there are more steps to check besides posting for help here. Always check for external video and at least move the screen at different angles to see if the video comes and goes with screen movement. Furthermore, even through I've seen this happen at least a couple dozen times with Macbooks, I've always done the steps posted above along with taking the machine apart and swapping the inverter to be 100% sure.

EDIT: Just noticed this thread is a few days old. Hopefully OP has figured it out by now.