Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1   Report Post  
itsme
 
Posts: n/a
Default HP Laptop Screen Problems

I have a HP Pavilion N5440 laptop. I have been having a problem with my
screen. It seems like the hinges are loose or something. The screen will
flicker or go black. But if I prop it against the wall it will stay on. So I
feel like the connection is loose. Can someone tell me if this can be easily
repaired at little cost? I fear if I bring it into CompUSA they will tell me
I need a whole new screen, which will be the cost of a new laptop. The fact
that the screen works all the time except if I move it away from the wall
makes me think the screen is fine.
I appreciate any advise.


K


  #2   Report Post  
Bob Shuman
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Sounds like the connection from the inverter to the backlight is loose,
although it could be the connection to the inverter or at the backlight as
well. I've replaced the inverter on a similar vintage of HP unit and it was
not too difficult to get to if you are handy and have a set of precision
screwdrivers.

Bob

"itsme" wrote in message
...
I have a HP Pavilion N5440 laptop. I have been having a problem with my
screen. It seems like the hinges are loose or something. The screen will
flicker or go black. But if I prop it against the wall it will stay on. So

I
feel like the connection is loose. Can someone tell me if this can be

easily
repaired at little cost? I fear if I bring it into CompUSA they will tell

me
I need a whole new screen, which will be the cost of a new laptop. The

fact
that the screen works all the time except if I move it away from the wall
makes me think the screen is fine.
I appreciate any advise.


K




  #3   Report Post  
itsme
 
Posts: n/a
Default

How much was the inverter? Where could I find the tools needed and what do
they cost? Or should I chance giving it to CompUSA or another repair
service?

"Bob Shuman" wrote in message
...
Sounds like the connection from the inverter to the backlight is loose,
although it could be the connection to the inverter or at the backlight as
well. I've replaced the inverter on a similar vintage of HP unit and it

was
not too difficult to get to if you are handy and have a set of precision
screwdrivers.

Bob

"itsme" wrote in message
...
I have a HP Pavilion N5440 laptop. I have been having a problem with my
screen. It seems like the hinges are loose or something. The screen will
flicker or go black. But if I prop it against the wall it will stay on.

So
I
feel like the connection is loose. Can someone tell me if this can be

easily
repaired at little cost? I fear if I bring it into CompUSA they will

tell
me
I need a whole new screen, which will be the cost of a new laptop. The

fact
that the screen works all the time except if I move it away from the

wall
makes me think the screen is fine.
I appreciate any advise.


K







  #4   Report Post  
Andy Cuffe
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Mon, 4 Oct 2004 15:08:21 -0400, "itsme"
wrote:

I have a HP Pavilion N5440 laptop. I have been having a problem with my
screen. It seems like the hinges are loose or something. The screen will
flicker or go black. But if I prop it against the wall it will stay on. So I
feel like the connection is loose. Can someone tell me if this can be easily
repaired at little cost? I fear if I bring it into CompUSA they will tell me
I need a whole new screen, which will be the cost of a new laptop. The fact
that the screen works all the time except if I move it away from the wall
makes me think the screen is fine.
I appreciate any advise.


K



It sounds like the cable that connects the screen to the motherboard
is failing. They frequently develop cracks after several years of
flexing each time the lid is opened or closed. It can be a pain to
replace, but won't require a new screen. If the screen goes dark, but
you can still see the image when you ****e a bright light at the
screen, then it's the cable to the back light inverter. If the screen
still prodused some light, but goes blank it's the cable to the LCD.
Andy Cuffe

  #5   Report Post  
Bob Shuman
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I found an inverter for about $45 IIRC. I called around to a lot of
different places, including HP and some of the larger electronics repair
places who said they would not sell the inverter and only offered to ship
out the unit for replacement of the LCD at about $700 IIRC. When I did find
a few places that would sell just the inverter I remember getting quotes for
that part alone that ranged to $150 (over three times the amount I paid). I
also recall finding a web site that offered "refurbished inverters for under
$50. You can actually use Google to find these by typing in the
manufacturer and part number that is stamped on the inverter. (Mine was
made by Ambit, but I don't recall the part number and yours is likely
different anyway.

In the end, after making several calls, I found a local "no-name" computer
repair depot that was willing to order me the part and tacked on a
reasonable service fee instead of selling the part retail.

Good luck. The fact that your unit stops and restarts with physical
positioning seems to indict a cable or connection and probably not the
inverter. In my case, the unit started taking longer to light and
eventually died completely. You could tell it was the backlight because the
text/graphics were still being displayed and could be seen changing by
holding the unit up to a light source that reflected off the glass at the
right angle. It has been working fine since the inverter was replaced.

Bob
"itsme" wrote in message
...
How much was the inverter? Where could I find the tools needed and what do
they cost? Or should I chance giving it to CompUSA or another repair
service?

"Bob Shuman" wrote in message
...
Sounds like the connection from the inverter to the backlight is loose,
although it could be the connection to the inverter or at the backlight

as
well. I've replaced the inverter on a similar vintage of HP unit and it

was
not too difficult to get to if you are handy and have a set of precision
screwdrivers.

Bob





  #6   Report Post  
itsme
 
Posts: n/a
Default


I have a HP Pavilion N5440 laptop. I have been having a problem with my
screen. It seems like the hinges are loose or something. The screen will
flicker or go black. But if I prop it against the wall it will stay on.

So I
feel like the connection is loose. Can someone tell me if this can be

easily
repaired at little cost? I fear if I bring it into CompUSA they will tell

me
I need a whole new screen, which will be the cost of a new laptop. The

fact
that the screen works all the time except if I move it away from the wall
makes me think the screen is fine.
I appreciate any advise.


K



It sounds like the cable that connects the screen to the motherboard
is failing. They frequently develop cracks after several years of
flexing each time the lid is opened or closed. It can be a pain to
replace, but won't require a new screen. If the screen goes dark, but
you can still see the image when you ****e a bright light at the
screen, then it's the cable to the back light inverter. If the screen
still prodused some light, but goes blank it's the cable to the LCD.
Andy Cuffe


Can the cable alone be replaced? Or do I have to purchase additional parts
to get the cable?



  #7   Report Post  
Andy Cuffe
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Tue, 5 Oct 2004 14:03:35 -0400, "itsme"
wrote:


Can the cable alone be replaced? Or do I have to purchase additional parts
to get the cable?



I don't know about hp, but I once bought a cable for an IBM. It was
about $30 and included the LCD cable and backlight cable. Have you
checked ebay? A lot of laptop parts seem to end up there.
Andy Cuffe

Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
re-screening pool patio screen Evan Mann Home Repair 12 November 15th 17 12:35 AM
DVI input specification of Pioneer PDP504PE (The screen part of the Pioneer PDP504HDE) Art Electronics Repair 0 July 18th 04 04:48 AM
How to remove sliding patio screen door? Kevins_news2 Home Repair 6 April 17th 04 03:13 PM
How to Adjust the Tape Path Alignment on Newer VCRs Jim Electronics Repair 24 March 15th 04 10:30 PM
Zenith TV IQB32B42W 9-2102 More Info (Black Screen) Brad Petria Electronics Repair 3 October 18th 03 01:48 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:48 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 DIYbanter.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about DIY & home improvement"