Laptop display f!@ked

kinaldo

After nearly 4 years without a problem my screen has all of sudden started flickering real bad, even after a re-boot and change of resolution. Anyone else here ever experience the same problem or have any ideas how to fix it? Thanks.

Karoma

Laptop forum
Does moving the screen make any difference?
Hook it up to a monitor and test.
Describe "flickering" - is the screen going on/off or is there lines,etc?

Ruu_Old

Make and model of laptop please. Does it flicker all the time (during the bootup) or just when Windows has loaded to the desktop screen?

kinaldo

Dell Inspiron 8200. Flickers all the time even during bootup -colour distortion, moving lines/blocks etc. I have no way of testing on another moniter atm.

Ruu_Old

I think the lcd backlight circuit could be failing. Is it under warranty?

kinaldo

Ruu wrote:

I think the lcd backlight circuit could be failing. Is it under warranty?

Not anymore unfortunately. Would that have anything to do with the power source? I had to purchace a replacement AC adaptor from Dell about 2 weeks ago and gave them my model details but they sent me a 70 watt adaptor which seems to work fine, except I get a warning message the system may not perform optimally without a 90 watt one.

esskay

If the screen is just flickering and distorting there is a good chance it is a cable problem. There is a ribbon cable running up the back of most laptop displays that can cause that problem if it comes slightly loose. It's easily fixed if you've ever opened a laptop before but can be a bit daunting if you haven't. The cable normally runs from the back of the screen down through one of the hinges on the display on to the motherboard. Re-seating the both sides of the cable normally does the trick. Check to see if you can get some kind of hardware maintenance manual for you laptop, a guide that shows you how to disassemble it screw by screw. I know they are available for ibm's but not sure if they are for Dells.

kinaldo

esskay wrote:

If the screen is just flickering and distorting there is a good chance it is a cable problem. There is a ribbon cable running up the back of most laptop displays that can cause that problem if it comes slightly loose. It's easily fixed if you've ever opened a laptop before but can be a bit daunting if you haven't. The cable normally runs from the back of the screen down through one of the hinges on the display on to the motherboard. Re-seating the both sides of the cable normally does the trick. Check to see if you can get some kind of hardware maintenance manual for you laptop, a guide that shows you how to disassemble it screw by screw. I know they are available for ibm's but not sure if they are for Dells.

Thanks, I'm sure I can get someone to help me try that. The problem seems to be slightly inconsistent in that the flickering stopped for about 20 minutes with only dark pixels notably distorted, but now it's flickering like mad again.

Ruu_Old

I dont think it would be any harm to get another power adaptor (should be able to get some universal) the same wattage as you originally had.

Hal1

Ok, got a laptop that the cat knocked over. It now has 2 parallel red lines going down the centre of the screen. The laptop is perfect apart from the 2 red lines. Fixable?

kinaldo

Ruu wrote:

I dont think it would be any harm to get another power adaptor (should be able to get some universal) the same wattage as you originally had.

I'd need to be heavily persuaded to fork out for one after spending €73 on my Dell replacement. The universals cost about €120 from shops in town.

MunsterCycling

Return the one Dell sent and tell them you want the correct wattage one for you model, you paid for it so why not make them get it right, feckin muppets can't even support their own equipment.


MC