Where can I get an "independent engineers report" for my laptop?

Johnzy Fitzgerald

Hopefully I've posted this in the correct section.
Anyway, the screen on my Sony Vaio laptop has been acting up for over a month (I'll try to upload a video in a few minutes showing the problem).
Well the 12 months warranty run out a couple of months ago, and I only finally got around to getting onto the company I bought it from today (www.laptopsdirect.ie).
They replied back "As your item is out of warranty you would have to send us an independent engineers report stating that the fault is caused by a manufacturers defect."
I expected that! However I have no idea how or where I go about getting that done.
I'd really appreciate any advice from anyone here that might have had to go through the same process before.
I live in Tralee (Kerry). So being able to get it done locally would be great, but all advice is appreciated.

Johnzy Fitzgerald

Just uploaded a little video showing the problem. Recorded it earlier today.
Any ideas what might be up? Because if it's something simple enough I might just go and get it repaired myself (to save from all the hassle).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5Zi8l65-k0

dazzday

From the video seems to be a h/w problem over driver issue etc. However i would try updating your GPU drivers in safemode and see if we gat any result.

Likely the root of the problem is going to be one of two things:
lcd related problems or GPU related problem.

First thing first: Hook up to external monitor and see if we are getting any signal or similar problem. If all is good, 99% of the GPU problem can be ruled out.

Johnzy Fitzgerald

Cheers for the advice.
I had just tried it on another monitor (plasma TV) a few minutes before I just read your message, and it's working perfectly on that.
So it is definitely a hardware issue alright.
When the problem first surfaced, I just moved the screen around a tiny bit and it went away almost immediately. That happened a few times, but now no matter how much I fiddle with it I've no luck.
So it all seems to point towards a cable/LCD problem.
The odd thing is that if I leave it off for a while (few hours or days), it will usually be grand for a few minutes once I turn it on again.

dazzday

Quoting some advice i gave before that may help.

Tbh in your situation id be inclined to thing the LCD cable is being pinched at the hinges or a loose connection and thus causing the display to "wobble".

Could be a few things but probably more than likely CCFL Bulb failure if the laptop hasnt been dropped or anything?

First off plug the laptop up to an external monitor, if you get a signal than the GPU is more than likely ok.

Next download the service manual for this model, take of the bezel using the instructions and reset any connections you may see. Make sure any wires are not getting pinched at the hinges etc.
Next locate the lid-switch button (on this model it should be a small mechanical switch on the left/right top corner). Check for dirt etc that could be blocking it and manually press it to see if you get any response.

Alas if these steps dont work, its down to one of 4 things in decreasing likelyhood

- CCFL Bulb failure ( = screen replacement ~€100)
- Inverter Failure ( = ~€25 replacement)
- VGA cable failure (= ~€40 replacement...unlikely)
- Motherboard issue (unlikely)

The big issue here is its hard to determine between bulb and inverter, and the only true method I know is if you have access to a mulitimeter to check frequency outputs. (easy if you have access to a GOOD meter)

The inverter is quite cheap to buy and easy to replace yourself, so it should be the first step you try. Try match the replacement with the model no of the old inverter.
If that doesnt work its most likely the bulb failing. Replacing a CCFL bulb is a challenging task and tbh most technicians wont even quote a price for it, instead recommending a new screen. A screen is gonna cost around ~€100 (maybe less if you find a 2nd hand one), however they are fairly routine to replace and you should consider fitting it yourself if you are competent with a screwdriver!

Johnzy Fitzgerald

Apologies for the mega late reply.
Thanks for the help by the way.
I took your advice and opened up the screen casing. I checked all the connections and looked for any pinched wires and what not, but still no luck.
After a bit more "research" I'm led to believe that it may possibly be a problem with the connection between the motherboard and screen.
It would be so much easier if I could just manage to find one of these mythical independent engineers.