My Dell laptop (about 2 years old) has developed a screen problem.
The left hand side of the screen, particularly the bottom left hand
corner, has gone quite dark. I can still read the screen, but it is a
strain. Does anyone know if this is a common problem and whether I am
likely to be able to fix it myself? Many thanks for any suggestions
or ideas.

kent wrote:
My Dell laptop (about 2 years old) has developed a screen problem.
The left hand side of the screen, particularly the bottom left hand
corner, has gone quite dark. I can still read the screen, but it is a
strain. Does anyone know if this is a common problem and whether I am
likely to be able to fix it myself? Many thanks for any suggestions
or ideas.

Don't know about Dell laptops but inverters & backlights are replaceable on
some machines Try searching online for your model and "backlight"

Have a look here for ideas. http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop_6.htm

Crossposted to uk.comp.sys.laptops

Tim

On Feb 16, 2:17*pm, "Tim Downie"
wrote:
kent wrote:
My Dell laptop (about 2 years old) has developed a screen problem.
The left hand side of the screen, particularly the bottom left hand
corner, has gone quite dark. *I can still read the screen, but it is a
strain. *Does anyone know if this is a common problem and whether I am
likely to be able to fix it myself? *Many thanks for any suggestions
or ideas.

Don't know about Dell laptops but inverters & backlights are replaceable on
some machines *Try searching online for your model and "backlight"

Have a look here for ideas. *http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop_6.htm

Crossposted to uk.comp.sys.laptops

Tim

Thanks. I'll follow your link and keep an eye on uk.comp.sys.laptops,
uk.d-i-y. Thanks for crossposting.

After serious thinking kent wrote :
My Dell laptop (about 2 years old) has developed a screen problem.
The left hand side of the screen, particularly the bottom left hand
corner, has gone quite dark. I can still read the screen, but it is a
strain. Does anyone know if this is a common problem and whether I am
likely to be able to fix it myself? Many thanks for any suggestions
or ideas.

That sounds like the inverter or the tube might not be working
properly. The tube is a rather delicate tube of glass about 18"
diameter x the width of the display and placed along the lower edge.
You can buy generic or OEM replacements. Obviously the later might
prove more straight forward to install. Usually it is a matter of
finding and undoing four or more screws holding the two halves of the
screen surround together, then simply unplugging the inverter plus tube
carefully.

There are specialist parts suppliers and laptop scrap parts dealers on
line. Just google for laptop parts.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

On Feb 16, 5:10*pm, Harry Bloomfield
wrote:
After serious thinking kent wrote :

My Dell laptop (about 2 years old) has developed a screen problem.
The left hand side of the screen, particularly the bottom left hand
corner, has gone quite dark. *I can still read the screen, but it is a
strain. *Does anyone know if this is a common problem and whether I am
likely to be able to fix it myself? *Many thanks for any suggestions
or ideas.

That sounds like the inverter or the tube might not be working
properly. The tube is a rather delicate tube of glass about 18"
diameter x the width of the display and placed along the lower edge.
You can buy generic or OEM replacements. Obviously the later might
prove more straight forward to install. Usually it is a matter of
finding and undoing four or more screws holding the two halves of the
screen surround together, then simply unplugging the inverter plus tube
carefully.

There are specialist parts suppliers and laptop scrap parts dealers on
line. Just google for laptop parts.

--
Regards,
* * * * Harry (M1BYT) (L)http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

Thanks, Harry.

"Tim Downie" wrote in message
...
kent wrote:
My Dell laptop (about 2 years old) has developed a screen problem.
The left hand side of the screen, particularly the bottom left hand
corner, has gone quite dark. I can still read the screen, but it is a
strain. Does anyone know if this is a common problem and whether I am
likely to be able to fix it myself? Many thanks for any suggestions
or ideas.

Don't know about Dell laptops but inverters & backlights are replaceable
on some machines Try searching online for your model and "backlight"

Have a look here for ideas. http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop_6.htm

Crossposted to uk.comp.sys.laptops


FWIWwhen my (HP) inverter went, it blacked out the entire screen - not just
one corner; so I would suggest you investigate the backlighting rather than
the inverter.

In ,
OG typed on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:31:00 -0000:
"Tim Downie" wrote in message
...
kent wrote:
My Dell laptop (about 2 years old) has developed a screen problem.
The left hand side of the screen, particularly the bottom left hand
corner, has gone quite dark. I can still read the screen, but it
is a strain. Does anyone know if this is a common problem and
whether I am likely to be able to fix it myself? Many thanks for
any suggestions or ideas.

Don't know about Dell laptops but inverters & backlights are
replaceable on some machines Try searching online for your model
and "backlight" Have a look here for ideas.
http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop_6.htm

Crossposted to uk.comp.sys.laptops


FWIWwhen my (HP) inverter went, it blacked out the entire screen -
not just one corner; so I would suggest you investigate the
backlighting rather than the inverter.

You know something very hot can make an area of the screen to go black.
Nothing but either the lamp or the inverter is likely to do this.

--
Bill
2 Gateway MX6124 - Windows XP SP2
3 Asus EEE PC 701G4 ~ 2GB RAM ~ 16GB-SDHC
2 Asus EEE PC 702G8 ~ 1GB RAM ~ 16GB-SDHC
Windows XP SP2 ~ Xandros Linux - Puppy - Ubuntu

BillW50 wrote:
In ,
OG typed on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:31:00 -0000:
"Tim Downie" wrote in message
...
kent wrote:
My Dell laptop (about 2 years old) has developed a screen problem.
The left hand side of the screen, particularly the bottom left hand
corner, has gone quite dark. I can still read the screen, but it
is a strain. Does anyone know if this is a common problem and
whether I am likely to be able to fix it myself? Many thanks for
any suggestions or ideas.
Don't know about Dell laptops but inverters & backlights are
replaceable on some machines Try searching online for your model
and "backlight" Have a look here for ideas.
http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop_6.htm

Crossposted to uk.comp.sys.laptops

FWIWwhen my (HP) inverter went, it blacked out the entire screen -
not just one corner; so I would suggest you investigate the
backlighting rather than the inverter.

You know something very hot can make an area of the screen to go black.
Nothing but either the lamp or the inverter is likely to do this.

or leaving in teh sun, or near a kettle, or a fire, or a reading lamp
or..or..or..

The laptop hasn't been near a heat source nor received a physical shock.
What I am finding is that the dark area changes! It is always on the left
but sometimes barely noticeable. This morning it is bad but yesterday it
was much better. I don't think this is the effect of the ambient lighting,
although I am still testing this. Either way it is not bad enough to demand
repair, just an irritant. Thanks for your comments.

"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
BillW50 wrote:
In ,
OG typed on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:31:00 -0000:
"Tim Downie" wrote in message
...
kent wrote:
My Dell laptop (about 2 years old) has developed a screen problem.
The left hand side of the screen, particularly the bottom left hand
corner, has gone quite dark. I can still read the screen, but it
is a strain. Does anyone know if this is a common problem and
whether I am likely to be able to fix it myself? Many thanks for
any suggestions or ideas.
Don't know about Dell laptops but inverters & backlights are
replaceable on some machines Try searching online for your model
and "backlight" Have a look here for ideas.
http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop_6.htm

Crossposted to uk.comp.sys.laptops

FWIWwhen my (HP) inverter went, it blacked out the entire screen -
not just one corner; so I would suggest you investigate the
backlighting rather than the inverter.

You know something very hot can make an area of the screen to go black.
Nothing but either the lamp or the inverter is likely to do this.

or leaving in teh sun, or near a kettle, or a fire, or a reading lamp
or..or..or..

Kent wrote:
The laptop hasn't been near a heat source nor received a physical shock.
What I am finding is that the dark area changes! It is always on the
left but sometimes barely noticeable. This morning it is bad but
yesterday it was much better. I don't think this is the effect of the
ambient lighting, although I am still testing this. Either way it is
not bad enough to demand repair, just an irritant. Thanks for your
comments.


Well anyway, LCD displays rely on fairly critical polarization to work.

Plenty of ways for that to screw up, like a teeny air leak in one corner.

My mates LCD has a dark patch where a ricochetting bb pellet hit
it..don't ask..I didn't!

kent wrote:

My Dell laptop (about 2 years old) has developed a screen problem.
The left hand side of the screen, particularly the bottom left hand
corner, has gone quite dark. I can still read the screen, but it is a
strain. Does anyone know if this is a common problem and whether I am
likely to be able to fix it myself? Many thanks for any suggestions
or ideas.

You get that effect if
a) the light gets detached form its proper position relative to the
screen
b) dc passes through the tube, causing mercury migration. This can be
caused by a leaky capacitor in the invertor, or failing tube emission
at one end

The way to tell one from the other is to view the tube directly when
its lit.


NT

kent wrote:

My Dell laptop (about 2 years old) has developed a screen problem.
The left hand side of the screen, particularly the bottom left hand
corner, has gone quite dark. I can still read the screen, but it is a
strain. Does anyone know if this is a common problem and whether I am
likely to be able to fix it myself? Many thanks for any suggestions
or ideas.

You get that effect if
a) the light gets detached form its proper position relative to the
screen
b) dc passes through the tube, causing mercury migration. This can be
caused by a leaky capacitor in the invertor, or failing tube emission
at one end

The way to tell one from the other is to view the tube directly when
its lit.


NT

On Feb 19, 1:12*pm, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
Kent wrote:
The laptop hasn't been near a heat source nor received a physical shock..
What I am finding is that the dark area changes! *It is always on the
left but sometimes barely noticeable. *This morning it is bad but
yesterday it was much better. *I don't think this is the effect of the
ambient lighting, although I am still testing this. *Either way it is
not bad enough to demand repair, just an irritant. *Thanks for your
comments.

Well anyway, LCD displays rely on fairly critical polarization to work.

Plenty of ways for that to screw up, like a teeny air leak in one corner.

My mates LCD has a dark patch where a ricochetting bb pellet hit
it..don't ask..I didn't!

I've realised that it is the ambient lighting that has made me think
that the patch might be moving. I have now concluded that it does not
change and is of even darkness all the way up the left hand side.
However, no worse, so repair not imminent.

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

My mates LCD has a dark patch where a ricochetting bb pellet hit
it..don't ask..I didn't!


Possible that he fragged it rather than doing a requested defrag? Send
him on a mission to Seattle...

--
Adrian C