Screen problem - backlight? inverter?

[TechGuy71]

Hi all.

I have a Vostro 1000 that came in with a screen that would not light. You could barely see the screen if you looked real hard. I got a backlight in and was shocked when I saw it. The tube was thinner than a pencil lead and just as I feared, I broke it putting it in. Others I've replaced were bigger and much more manageable. I went ahead and bought a whole new screen and now I get nothing... not even the non-lit screen. Any ideas? Could it be that the problem is the inverter? Or do you think that maybe the screen I received is somehow bad? Something else? It does work if I hook it up to a monitor, but I did notice that if I try to scroll through the FN/F5 it never goes off the external monitor... not sure what that means.

On a side note, I'm really starting to think that these screen repairs are just not worth the frustration, as far as swapping backlights and such. If any more come with bad screens I may just start insisting that the entire screen with inverter be changed. How do you guys handle these?

Thanks! Appreciate any input as I've had this laptop way longer than I should have and need to get it fixed pretty quick.

 

[blackburgpchelp]

I do a fair number of lcd/inverter replacements, and find them to be pretty easy and well paying jobs. I won't service backlights by themselves, for the very reason you discovered. In those case I replace the full lcd.

At this point I'd say you have an incompatible lcd. If it were just the inverter, you would still be able to see some images on the lcd. If when you replace the lcd, you see images, but still no light, then I would suspect the inverter.

-Rance

 

[TechGuy71]

I was going to just order an inverter, but had the same suspicion as you. Do you have a good source for screens? I hate to have to order yet another one.. I'm gonna take a beating on this job, but i gotta get it fixed.....

Thanks!

 

[14049752]

Replacing the screen and inverter isn't fair to the customer. You should be able to diagnose which component is bad most of the time.

I've debated with myself several times about replacing the CFL as opposed to the whole LCD. Every time, I decide to stick with replacing the lcd....the cost of screens are way down, anyway. The last few I bought were well under $100 for a brand new lcd.

 

[TechGuy71]

Replacing the screen and inverter isn't fair to the customer. You should be able to diagnose which component is bad most of the time.

I've debated with myself several times about replacing the CFL as opposed to the whole LCD. Every time, I decide to stick with replacing the lcd....the cost of screens are way down, anyway. The last few I bought were well under $100 for a brand new lcd.

You're right. I guess more than replacing both the LCD and inverter, what I should have said was to replace the entire LCD instead of tearing it apart to replace the backlight. You're correct though, it would most likely be the backlight or the inverter and no need to replace both on the customer's dime.

 

[blackburgpchelp]

@14049752: Yes, I agree, the customer definitely should not have to cover both. I use a True RMS multimeter to detect the frequency of the inverter to determine if it is functioning or not. This seems to work fairly well. The method is detailed here: http://www.fonerbooks.com/test.htm

However, the OP definitely has a non-functional LCD currently, and if the original problem was with the inverter, he will still have to replace that. If that's the case though, the customer should only have to pay for the inverter and labor associated.

@Techguy71: I've had good success with these guys:
http://www.laptopscreen1.com/
Give them a call and speak with one of their reps. They can help you select a 100% compatible screen.

-Rance

 

[usacvlr]

Should have tried an inverter first. I've gotten to the point where even I don't bother replacing lamps anymore. If the backlight is toast I just replace the whole thing. Too many systems coming in and too little time.

Hi all.

I have a Vostro 1000 that came in with a screen that would not light. You could barely see the screen if you looked real hard. I got a backlight in and was shocked when I saw it. The tube was thinner than a pencil lead and just as I feared, I broke it putting it in. Others I've replaced were bigger and much more manageable. I went ahead and bought a whole new screen and now I get nothing... not even the non-lit screen. Any ideas? Could it be that the problem is the inverter? Or do you think that maybe the screen I received is somehow bad? Something else? It does work if I hook it up to a monitor, but I did notice that if I try to scroll through the FN/F5 it never goes off the external monitor... not sure what that means.

On a side note, I'm really starting to think that these screen repairs are just not worth the frustration, as far as swapping backlights and such. If any more come with bad screens I may just start insisting that the entire screen with inverter be changed. How do you guys handle these?

Thanks! Appreciate any input as I've had this laptop way longer than I should have and need to get it fixed pretty quick.

 

[usacvlr]

The cost of inverters is negligible depending on your source although I would not normally sell both at once unless necessary.

You're right. I guess more than replacing both the LCD and inverter, what I should have said was to replace the entire LCD instead of tearing it apart to replace the backlight. You're correct though, it would most likely be the backlight or the inverter and no need to replace both on the customer's dime.

 

[usacvlr]

You should put the old lcd back in and see if you still see the faint imagine of the non lit lcd. If you do you know you've got a bad NEW lcd.

Hi all.

I have a Vostro 1000 that came in with a screen that would not light. You could barely see the screen if you looked real hard. I got a backlight in and was shocked when I saw it. The tube was thinner than a pencil lead and just as I feared, I broke it putting it in. Others I've replaced were bigger and much more manageable. I went ahead and bought a whole new screen and now I get nothing... not even the non-lit screen. Any ideas? Could it be that the problem is the inverter? Or do you think that maybe the screen I received is somehow bad? Something else? It does work if I hook it up to a monitor, but I did notice that if I try to scroll through the FN/F5 it never goes off the external monitor... not sure what that means.

On a side note, I'm really starting to think that these screen repairs are just not worth the frustration, as far as swapping backlights and such. If any more come with bad screens I may just start insisting that the entire screen with inverter be changed. How do you guys handle these?

Thanks! Appreciate any input as I've had this laptop way longer than I should have and need to get it fixed pretty quick.

 

[usacvlr]

Just keep a good cfl around and plug it in to the inverter. If it lights up, the inverter is fine.

@14049752: Yes, I agree, the customer definitely should not have to cover both. I use a True RMS multimeter to detect the frequency of the inverter to determine if it is functioning or not. This seems to work fairly well. The method is detailed here: http://www.fonerbooks.com/test.htm

However, the OP definitely has a non-functional LCD currently, and if the original problem was with the inverter, he will still have to replace that. If that's the case though, the customer should only have to pay for the inverter and labor associated.

@Techguy71: I've had good success with these guys:
http://www.laptopscreen1.com/
Give them a call and speak with one of their reps. They can help you select a 100% compatible screen.

-Rance

 

[TechGuy71]

Just keep a good cfl around and plug it in to the inverter. If it lights up, the inverter is fine.

Does it matter if it is the same or compatible screen for testing? I do have a screen I can test with, and considered it, just didn't wanna make matters worse.

Thanks!

 

[blackburgpchelp]

The probe method works well for quick checks, and you don't have to remove the bezel at all. That's the main reason I like it.

-Rance

 

[MrUnknown]

i keep old cracked LCDs from laptops to use as a tester.

thanks for the source for LCD panels, reasonable prices for them.

 

[LunchBox]

Anyone has a decent source for laptop parts. I actually need to by an entire LCD. The client got upset at his mom, opened the laptop like a book and smashed the lcd.

I am not an expert when it comes to laptops. Can someone explain the following to me. I can never seem to find the answer

If a laptop with a bad screen (no image) connected to an external monitor and image is on the external monitor. What does this mean as the root of the problem.

If a laptop with a bad screen (no image) connected to an external monitor and has no image is on the external monitor. What does this mean as the root of the problem.

A short answer would be fine or a link where I can read about those issues. My google search cause not come up with anything that give me an answer

Thank you

 

[MrUnknown]

if the external monitor works, then usually the LCD/Inverter is bad. If the external monitor doesnt work, then you should start looking at the video card which is usually onboard so it is a motherboard replacement job. This is a basic overview though. The guy that does http://www.podnutz.com has been doing laptop repair videos, you should watch some.

blackburgpchelp posted http://www.laptopscreen1.com/ for new LCD panels. You can get used ones from eBay. in order to reliably get a replacement, you must remove the panel currently inside the laptop and get the model number off the back then go searching for that number as even, visually, the same exact laptop can have different panels in them.

 

[LunchBox]

if the external monitor works, then usually the LCD/Inverter is bad. If the external monitor doesnt work, then you should start looking at the video card which is usually onboard so it is a motherboard replacement job. This is a basic overview though. The guy that does http://www.podnutz.com has been doing laptop repair videos, you should watch some.

blackburgpchelp posted http://www.laptopscreen1.com/ for new LCD panels. You can get used ones from eBay. in order to reliably get a replacement, you must remove the panel currently inside the laptop and get the model number off the back then go searching for that number as even, visually, the same exact laptop can have different panels in them.

Thank your your explanation was right to the point and understandable.

I will check out the site. Yes I been told that I need to get the number from inside the LCD. This would be my first replacement so I guess I will have to take it apart.

The LCD is spider cracked but there is an image/light though. Is there anything that I can keep from the broken LCD for space part? Inverter perhaps?

 

[MrUnknown]

the inverter is a separate part that sits below the LCD screen. when you buy an LCD panel, it probably wont include the inverter.

You can keep the panel to use as a inverter tester on other laptops though because the bulbs inside of it are good. It is better to keep the bulbs in it because they are so easily broken. You just hook it up to the inverter on a laptop you are trying to diagnose, and if it lights up the panel, the inverter is good and the problem is the LCD panel in the laptop. If it stays dark, try to test with another panel just to be sure, but if that one is also dark, then it is the inverter. Inverters are really cheap to be had on eBay. Again, search by part number.

One of those videos on the podnutz site shows how to diagnose like this.

 

[TechGuy71]

Well I went ahead and ordered another screen from the place that blackburgpchelp suggested. Their prices look pretty good. This one actually included the inverter with the screen which is nice... so something's gotta work! lol

I think I just got a bunk screen the first time. If I had an image with no backlight before, I should at least have the image whether lit or not with the new screen.

And I will deifintely keep a working LCD on hand. I have a laptop in the back that has a bad mobo.. maybe that would be a good candidate.

Thanks everyone...

 

[blackburgpchelp]

Yeah, I should've mentioned that they often include inverters with the LCD, particularly for Dell models. This isn't the case most of the time, but it's nice when they do. I've used that company frequently and with great success. And they do have some of the better prices I've seen.

-Rance

 

[usacvlr]

You can plug any cfl into any inverter it won't make a difference. Broken screens are great for testing as long as their cfl works

Does it matter if it is the same or compatible screen for testing? I do have a screen I can test with, and considered it, just didn't wanna make matters worse.

Thanks!