Laptop screen problem

[ronan]

My old lappy is acting up, the screen only works for a few seconds after the computer starts up, after that the screen goes black , but i can still see whats on the display if i shine a light on it. Rooting around on the web it seems the lcd inverter is failing. Does this seem the likely problem ? Replacements can be bought online for a tenner or so and i don't mind buying one if thats the issue, but i don't want to be chucking good money after bad.

 

[the snooper]

could be the invertor or even the tube but firstly I would have a poke at the switch that operates when you close the screen, it could be that

 

[graffian]

My Dell did that a few years ago. The cheapest thing to replace is the tube, probably the hardest part to
get at though. I was told most of the time it's the inverter that's died, lucky for me it was the tube. If
yours works some times I would try changing the inverter.


Wouldn't the lid switch just tell the motherboard the lid has been closed? I would still check it.

 

[CKJDJK]

Don't forget the cable to the screen past the hinges. Some times the wire breaks.

 

[Shox Dr]

Sounds like the tube, I thought I'd change mine.... be warned they are about 3mm in Dia, and a total PITA to fit.

Easier to buy a 2nd hand lid, and fit that.

 

[AndyStobbs]

Had it on my hp and it was the invertor.

 

[mfletch]

Have you booted into safe mode as this uses the VGA graphics if the screen is showing it's your graphics if not then as above

 

[Windy Miller]

What model laptop is it? Certain Dells are prone to this, but it's not always the screeen that goes - sometimes its the graphics chipset on the motherboard. I assume it has a VGA port? Plug a normal monitor in and see what happens. If it still plays up then its the chips, and probably scrap.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

What model laptop is it? Certain Dells are prone to this, but it's not always the screeen that goes - sometimes its the graphics chipset on the motherboard. I assume it has a VGA port? Plug a normal monitor in and see what happens. If it still plays up then its the chips, and probably scrap.

If it was the chip then the OP wouldn't see anything when shining a light onto the screen.

 

[Windy Miller]

If it was the chip then the OP wouldn't see anything when shining a light onto the screen.

Thats true!

 

[the snooper]

My Dell did that a few years ago. The cheapest thing to replace is the tube, probably the hardest part to
get at though. I was told most of the time it's the inverter that's died, lucky for me it was the tube. If
yours works some times I would try changing the inverter.


Wouldn't the lid switch just tell the motherboard the lid has been closed? I would still check it.

yes but it turns of the light unless its set to do something else, I know someone that had this problem and it was down to the switch.
if it works each time you boot it but then fails I would look at the invertor and connections for a bad joint may just need to be re soldered

 

[Robotstar5]

I've found dismantling screens can be complicated, but getting it all back together in the right place can be a nightmare.

 

[ronan]

The screen works fine for a while, maybe 20 mins, until it gets warm and then it suddenly goes black. I can still see the display in sun light or if i shine a torch or light on it. So i assume the switch is ok , the graphics card is ok and the screen itself is ok.

 

[the snooper]

if it works for 20 mins then its a heat related problem and probably a dry joint