21 replies to this topic

[fatguyaz]

first off, i'm sorry i called you a nerd. I didn't mean it.

second, i have a dell inspiron laptop from '07 that the screen keeps going black on. Randomly, it'll just go black. The computer is still running, because when (if) it comes back on, i'm right where i left off/sounds still work, etc. So, i know it's just the screen. Might be a loose wire, might need a new screen, i've gotten a few opinions from repair places... most are needing a $99 diagnostic fee just to see what's wrong, then however much it is to fix it... anyone have a place they trust, or should i just go buy a new lappy? New ones are like 400 bux, nowadays... Opinions?

Thanks!

[Jacki O.]

blow into it

[raubhimself]

if you feel comfortable opening it up, i'd just do that and see if the cable is loose. getting the main part of the laptop open should be pretty easy, just keep track of which screws go where cus sometimes they are different sizes. i'd say it's probably not something with the video chip or else there would probably be bigger problems (you wouldn't be getting right back to where you were). if it's more than just a loose connection or the cable itself then you got a bigger problem on your hands and it might just be worth buying a new laptop if you can afford it.

[TV's Frink]

blow into it

Oh, that's your answer for everything!

[Jacki O.]

blow into it

Oh, that's your answer for everything!

it works

[John MFer]

if you feel comfortable opening it up, i'd just do that and see if the cable is loose. getting the main part of the laptop open should be pretty easy, just keep track of which screws go where cus sometimes they are different sizes. i'd say it's probably not something with the video chip or else there would probably be bigger problems (you wouldn't be getting right back to where you were). if it's more than just a loose connection or the cable itself then you got a bigger problem on your hands and it might just be worth buying a new laptop if you can afford it.

Emotion seconded. But before you take it apart, when it goes black, shine a flashlight right on the screen and see if you can kinda still see what you were doing. If you can, then it's the backlight on the screen and a new one will cost way more than the laptop is worth. If you can scrounge up an external monitor the computer can still be used with that. Or, you could score yourself a deal on ebay on a same-model laptop and then switch the screens, but that's a reasonably advanced task.

If you shine the flashlight on it and see nothing, like exactly what you would see if the entire computer was shut down, it's probably a loose or disconnected wire.

[Danosaur]

have a dell inspiron laptop from '07

...well there's your problem....

all kidding aside...You might be better off getting a new lappy for the price of a new screen...although you could just hook the old lappy up to an old monitor you got layin around and covert it into a linux bot...

[fatguyaz]

if you feel comfortable opening it up, i'd just do that and see if the cable is loose. getting the main part of the laptop open should be pretty easy, just keep track of which screws go where cus sometimes they are different sizes. i'd say it's probably not something with the video chip or else there would probably be bigger problems (you wouldn't be getting right back to where you were). if it's more than just a loose connection or the cable itself then you got a bigger problem on your hands and it might just be worth buying a new laptop if you can afford it.

Emotion seconded. But before you take it apart, when it goes black, shine a flashlight right on the screen and see if you can kinda still see what you were doing. If you can, then it's the backlight on the screen and a new one will cost way more than the laptop is worth. If you can scrounge up an external monitor the computer can still be used with that. Or, you could score yourself a deal on ebay on a same-model laptop and then switch the screens, but that's a reasonably advanced task.

If you shine the flashlight on it and see nothing, like exactly what you would see if the entire computer was shut down, it's probably a loose or disconnected wire.

Good call. I can still see the screen a TINY bit when i shine a light on it. I've done some reading on this issue and it looks like it could be a backlight inverter, as well. How can i tell?


I should light it on fire, now, yes?

[raubhimself]

Or, you could score yourself a deal on ebay on a same-model laptop and then switch the screens, but that's a reasonably advanced task.

Or you could just switch the hard drives which should be pretty easy especially if it's the exact same model. You simplify my hurried advice, I simplify yours.

[aaronburke]

yeah, if you can see the screen faintly, it's most likely an lcd power inverter
issue. really easy to replace. those models are notorious for that problem, i had one myself
that did the same thing...

[fatguyaz]

yeah, if you can see the screen faintly, it's most likely an lcd power inverter
issue. really easy to replace. those models are notorious for that problem, i had one myself
that did the same thing...

How much beef jerky and donuts can i buy you to fix it for me/show me HOW to fix it/where to buy parts, etc?

[John MFer]

Sweet, I feel like we have a good team collaboration thing going here. Where is the power inverter on a laptop? Is it on the motherboard or contained within the screen? And Raub, yes, that's a much better and much more obvious solution. You'd think I would have thought of it considering I've done it before a few times.

[raubhimself]

I wish computer nerds could be as cool as motorheads. They get to stand in some dude's driveway huddled around an old Camaro, beers in hand, lamenting how they "just don't make 'em like they used to". We computer nerds just get to stand in server rooms with mediocre coffee in hand trying to justify the purchase of new equipment, agreeing that something from 2007 is ancient but being unable to agree on Intel or AMD.

[John MFer]

That's why we're also guitarra nerds!

[Jacki O.]

I wish computer nerds could be as cool as motorheads. They get to stand in some dude's driveway huddled around an old Camaro, beers in hand, lamenting how they "just don't make 'em like they used to". We computer nerds just get to stand in server rooms with mediocre coffee in hand trying to justify the purchase of new equipment, agreeing that something from 2007 is ancient but being unable to agree on Intel or AMD.

wow.
you just described the IT guys in my office.