| Laptop LCD Screen Repair... |
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If you have owned your laptop for a while you may be wondering just how long your LCD will last. In a mobile device, that is an excellent question. Though you may see 6-7-8 years out of your LCD panel in your laptop, some get only 2-3 years before they encounter problems. Those who have been very unfortunate, have had even less time elapse. If you have had problems with your LCD, the solutions below can help you diagnose the issue and lead you in the right direction to return your LCD screen to perfect working order. A general understanding of how a laptop LCD works will help in diagnosing your issue and keep you aware of potential problems. A generic display assembly includes a very few parts including: Video Cable. A video signal from the motherboard goes to the LCD screen through a video cable. The video cable connects to the motherboard (or video card) via a connector. The video cable connects to the LCD screen via another connector on the opposite end. The video cable (in most cases) is also responsible for supplying a necessary voltage for the FL inverter board (see below). It is rare that a video cable goes bad. In the event it does, it runs about $125 installed. FL Inverter Board. This board is responsible for converting low voltage DC power to the high voltage AC power necessary to light up the back light bulb. If the FL Inverter Board is bad, the LCD screen (back light bulb) will not light up when you turn on the laptop, but you still should be able to see a very dim image on the screen. Sometimes you need to hold a flashlight to the screen to make out an image. If the FL Inverter is your issue, it typically runs $80-$150 installed. CCFL (Back light Bulb). When the back light bulb lights up, you can see an image on the LCD screen. In most cases the back light bulb is a part of the LCD screen and if it's bad, the entire screen has to be replaced. A typical Screen will run $180 to $250 installed. Lid close switch. The lid close switch is a small button that locates close to the display hinges. On some newer models there is no button, because the switch is magnetic. You can set up your laptop to go to a hibernation mode or to a standby mode when the LCD is closed. It's done through power management software. These modes are triggered when the display is closed and the lid close switch is pressed down. If the LCD screen on your laptop will not light up when you open the display assembly, check the lid close switch is stuck inside (it might happen because the switch is dirty). Also, this switch can go bad but it is rare. In the event that the switch goes bad, it will need to be replaced. It typically runs $75 to $100 to replace this switch with labor. On-Board Video. As opposed to a separate video card which some models have, many laptops use on-board video, meaning the the video processing happens on the actual motherboard (also known as the mainboard). This is an issue we have seen quite a few times. If the on-board video goes bad, in most cases, the motherboard itself has to be replaced. If that's the case, it typically runs from $200 to over $400 to replace. Ouch. Video Card. The other method of video processing is an actual card that can be removed from the laptop as it is not integrated into the motherboard. Those that are lucky enough to have this set-up will save considerably if it ever stops working. These cards can usually be replaced fairly easy and could be done, in most cases, by the owner. The cards run $30 to $100 or so and the install $50 or so, if needed. This is pretty much the scope of the entire video system in a laptop. It is always a good idea to check the lid close switch before looking else where. Un-sticking it, or pushing it rapidly will sometimes yield a working display again. In the event it doesn't, you will want to look at the screen, while the system is on, with a flashlight. If you are able to see an image, it is more than likely the Inverter Board. If you cannot see an image, either the Motherboard or the Back light are the culprit. In any case it is best to consult a reputable shop to further diagnose the issue. Only a trained technician or an extremely savvy and mechanical individual should open a laptop case. We hope this helps and if you need further computer help, feel free to call On-Site at 1-888-725-4509. On-Site offer laptop screen repair, DC power jack repair, laptop motherboard, hard drive and fan replacement services. |