Laptop Screen Repair

Crippens1

Hi, can anyone adviise me if it is worthwhile to try and get a laptop screen repaired? We have a 3-year old Sony Vaio whose screen appearance has starting to go on the blink. It is no longer possble to see anything through the fuzzy/crazy colours that appear.

Can screens be easily replaced/repaired? If yes, where/who are best for this kind of work?

Thanks for any/all advice.

woolymammoth

Crippens, you could have a choice of problems, one being your screen is dying, the other that your graphics chip is dying! Neither one is plesant, but a failing screen is the lesser of two evils.

You can test the theory by hooking up an external screen to teh laptop. If the Image in the external display is good, then there's a 95% chance the problem is your screen. The other 5% could still be your graphics chip :P if you're still under warranty, great, use it. If not, you can buy a new screen (i have no idea how much, but anything up to €200 maybe!) and fit it. Or get someone to do it for you. I couldn't possibly tell you how much!

If the external image is still screwed, it's definitely the graphics. In this case, you'd be as well to buy a new laptop if you're not under warranty. Buy a 2.5" external USB case too, shove your current laptop hard disk into it to get all your data back. Things are only worthwhile if it's valuable to you and if you're prepared to spend cash on it.

Crippens1

Many thanks for that advice. I've connected it to our desktop and the image comes up ok. Also, the appearance of the screen suggests its been damaged (it looks like an mpg player that got bent last year).

I've googled the problem but haven't found any sites who would repair or any sites that sell replacement screens (the Sony site is hopeless:mad:). Have you any recommendations? I'd be willing to go €150-€200 on it.

Regards.

woolymammoth

sorry, i have no recommendations i can give for buying parts!

i wouldn't be looking at the sony site, look at smaller businesses dealing in spare parts. You might even get a busted laptop of the same model for cheap and cannibalise it for the screen. Shouldn't be too hard to replace yourself if you careful.

http://www.google.ie/#q=sony+vaio+spare+parts&hl=en&prmd=iv&source=lnt&tbs=ctr:countryIE&cr=countryIE&sa=X&ei=GqfATMzkB9X_4AbM5qywDA&sqi=2&ved=0CAwQpwU&fp=5c4b60bee85278bf

http://www.google.ie/#sclient=psy&hl=en&q=sony+vaio+spare+parts&aq=f&aqi=g-s1g-sx3g-o1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=5c4b60bee85278bf

Dey were Sooted

are you saying there is fuzzyness/colours appearing on your screen ?

if so it probably just your inverter - it is what powers your backlight .

usually when an inverter goes it goes straight away - if it is the backlight that goes they usually fade to fail over time .

a replacement inverter can be bought for a fairly reasonable price online - ebay
and there are plenty of sites online to tell you how to replace one - i would recommend taking it out first to get the part number so you can order the correct one .

Crippens1

Guys, many thanks for info and advice. I don't think it's the backlighter as the screen does "switch on " and the luminosity appears OK. The screen is simply a riot of colour with nothing focussed. Again, the fact hat it comes up normal on a cable-linked screen suggests I could reasonably expect a replacement to be the correct option.

I'm up to gice it a go myelf as I would rate myself ok at diy; will let you know if this works out.

Again, I really appreciate the sharing of info on these boards.

whizbang

if its the 15.4 inch model you can buy a new screen for approx €80 on ebay etc.
easy enough to replace - hardest thing is pulling the screen shell apart.
does the image look like it has paint splotched onto it.-if so, its the lcd glass panel smashed..
Open/close the screen when its turned on, see if anything changes - that could be the cable routed thro the hinges, maybe a new cable is a lot cheaper..
I have heard of the connectors coming loose th but this one sounds like a broken panel
good luck in repairs:)

Crippens1

Many thanks; I'll check out what you advised on the cable but I'm pretty sure it's the LCD screen that's gone (general kaleidescope appearance, one corner still showing the image but htat fades in and out). htere's no sign of leakage or external damage. I'm currently searching on eBay to get a handle on creen prices but won't be in a position to by for a couple of weeks yet so plenty of time to investigate how to verify the exact damage and how to instal a new screen. I'm confident of my ability to instal harware but will sek advice or pay someone else to do it if I think proper expertise may be needed.

woolymammoth

Crippens1 wrote: »

I'm confident of my ability to instal harware but will sek advice or pay someone else to do it if I think proper expertise may be needed.

Many laptops are assembled differently, some in clever/trickey ways to hide how it was done, but in all they're usually not too complicated to take apart. i'd suggest looking up teardown guides for your model.

http://www.google.ie/#hl=en&&sa=X&ei=ZcTGTNijBcrEswb35bzrDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CBcQvwUoAQ&q=sony+vaio+laptop+teardown&spell=1&fp=5c4b60bee85278bf