Was repairing my laptop and broke it even more

illicit007

Hi there

So here's the deal, I was replacing a faulty part in my laptop, where the button turns the laptop on as it had broken off. I ordered that part off the net and replaced it and my laptop turns on fine now.

The problem is when I was putting the laptop back together, I plugged the lcd screen cable back into the motherboard but accidently bent two of the tiny little pins inside the screen connector on the motherboard so they went into the same hole in the screen from the lcd screens cable connector. (EDIT: I realised the pins were bent after the screen powered on very darkly, then I disconnected the cables etc and checked my connections. Once I saw the pins were bent I managed to bend them back into position again.)

I turned it on (not knowing what I had done) and the screen was very very dark but I could make out the Acer logo when the laptop was booting.

So basically I thought it must be the lcd power inverter that got blown, so I ordered another one off the internet and replaced it. However the screen is very dark still! Doh.

I tested the cable from the motherboard that goes into the lcd power inverter with a multimeter and was getting a reading of 20v off a couple of the pins from the cable, so I'm guessing the cable is getting power from the motherboard, but I really don't know what I'm doing. The power cable from the screen has like 6 little pins and I'm not really sure which ones exactly to be testing and what not. So it could be faulty or maybe its not.

I then connected the lcd power inverter to the cable and tested the two pins coming out of that, which are supposed to connect to the lcd screen. There wasn't any power coming from those two pins. I tried the old lcd power inverter and the one I ordered off the net with the same results.
Now this could mean that the problem isn't the lcd power inverter which I first thought, or that the lcd power inverter I got off the net also happens to be faulty.

After reading what I've written does anyone have any ideas or suggestions of what I can try next? Ordering a new screen or a motherboard are pretty much out of the question because I've already spent €50 on parts trying to get this old laptop working, so any suggestions of replace motherboard or screen I'd have to say no too

Thanks in advance.

Allyall

EDIT: - Misread, sorry.

You bent the pins on the motherboard
What model do you have?

Could you post a photo of where you tthink the damage is?

jrochie

I'm in the exact same situation, with an Acer Extensa 5230e. Not sure which model you have but if its anything like mine, the plug is in such an awkward position its quite difficult to get anything into the socket to adjust the pins, plus they are so small it makes it even worse.

Personally, I'm looking for a new motherboard because i think ill end up breaking the pins if i keep at it! Finding it very hard to find motherboard.

If i come up with any easy way of adjusting the pins ill let you know.

Good luck with it

Allyall

jrochie wrote: »

I'm in the exact same situation, with an Acer Extensa 5230e. Not sure which model you have but if its anything like mine, the plug is in such an awkward position its quite difficult to get anything into the socket to adjust the pins, plus they are so small it makes it even worse.

Personally, I'm looking for a new motherboard because i think ill end up breaking the pins if i keep at it! Finding it very hard to find motherboard.

If i come up with any easy way of adjusting the pins ill let you know.

Good luck with it

If you can post a picture too, It would make it easier to suggest something.
You are looking for something like THIS, but depending on the pins, sometimes something breakable is a better solution (i.e. putting less pressure on the pins, causing your tool to break first).

Some people use a Propelling Pencil, with a fine point. But that will be too weak for some pins.

Another way is a cocktail stick or sharpened match. Cocktail stick cut to size.

jrochie

Never thought of the cocktail stick actually thats a good idea. I have a small screw driver set that I was using but was afraid I'd damage the pins. I might give that a go later on. Tried taking a picture last night but because of the awkward angle couldnt get a good picture. If I can i'll get it up here.

Cheers

illicit007

Hi there

Allyall I'll post some pictures in the next few hours for you to show you exactly whats happening.

The pins are fine, I bent them back to their original position and I'm 100% sure that the pins are no longer an issue. The issue probably is when the pins were bent they were touching each other inside the tiny hole they go into in the cable from the screen that plugs into the motherboard connector of which pins I had bent.

The screen is very very dark now and I'm not sure what the problem is.
Could it be the screen that is broke?
Is it more likely its the motherboard?
Is it possible that the lcd power inverter is faulty?
(note I bought a 2nd hand lcd power inverter off the net which didn't fix the problem)
How is it possible to 'test' an lcd power inverter to see if its working?

I'll post pics in a bit, talk soon.

illicit007

jrochie wrote: »

Never thought of the cocktail stick actually thats a good idea. I have a small screw driver set that I was using but was afraid I'd damage the pins. I might give that a go later on. Tried taking a picture last night but because of the awkward angle couldnt get a good picture. If I can i'll get it up here.

Cheers

Hi Jrochie, I hope when you say i'll get it up here, you don't mean here on my thread and you do mean you'll start a new thread and post your pictures on there right?

illicit007

LCD Power Inverter (the two pins that output power to the lcd screen)


View of LCD power inverter


LCD power inverter - The end which cable from motherboard plugs into lcd power inverter. Looks like 7 small pins inside this one.


Whole view of LCD power inverter


Cable from motherboard to LCD power inverter and LCD screen. Seen as all connected up.


LCD connector on motherboard


End of LCD cable which plugs into connector on motherboard


View of back of LCD screen and the unplugged cables with the LCD power inverter connected

Allyall

EDIT: DO THIS FIRST -
Check the little button that when you close the screen, sends the laptop into hibernation. If it is stuck in, try and use a needle or something similar to pry it out.


Also something i didn't think of, FN key and Right Arrow. See if it makes a difference.

@illicit007

What model is your laptop? And Where did you get the screen?

@jrochie

Same question as Acer Extensa 5230e laptops do have some compatibility issues.


Have either of you still got your old screen? Can you put it in, no need to full assemble, just connect it, and see if the old one is still bright.

Some Acer laptops require Dual CCFL bulbs.
It's important you match the screens resolution and backlight and if possible get the exact same screen.

Are you sure you have a compatible screen?

illicit007

Allyall wrote: »

@illicit007

What model is your laptop? And Where did you get the screen?

The screen is my original screen. I only got a replacement LCD power inverter, which is the little PCB strip I'm holding in the pictures...
A new LCD screen will cost a good €100. So I'm not up for going down that route unless I was 100% certain that was the problem. I don't have another LCD screen laying around to test with unfortunately.

regarding @jrochie questions, I don't really want to confuse things even further by getting other peoples problems involved. I made this thread specifically to discuss the problem I'm having and people are just going to get lost if everyone starts jumping and discussing their problems on my thread too. I'm pretty sure its called thread hijacking. Best thing for both of us would be if @jrochie opened a new thread and discussed their separate issue there.

Allyall

illicit007 wrote: »

regarding @jrochie questions, I don't really want to confuse things even further by getting other peoples problems involved. I made this thread specifically to discuss the problem I'm having and people are just going to get lost if everyone starts jumping and discussing their problems on my thread too. I'm pretty sure its called thread hijacking. Best thing for both of us would be if @jrochie opened a new thread and discussed their separate issue there.

Yeah, jrochie has another thread i'll reply to him/her in that thread.

Have you tried FN and arrow keys? to brighten screen?

Edit - Usually FN and right arrow.

illicit007

Allyall wrote: »

Have you tried FN and arrow keys? to brighten screen?

Edit - Usually FN and right arrow.

Yip I connected the keyboard back in and pressed the FN and brighten screen keys. The screen is very dark. As in so dark I'm pretty sure that something is broken or not getting power.

The strange thing is when I connected my multimeter to the two pins on the end of the LCD power inverter when I had it connected to the motherboard I wasn't getting anything readings on the multimeter, I'm not sure if I'm doing it wrong or what but seems like the LCD power inverter isn't getting any power..

illicit007

Just an update for you guys. I think that the ccfl backlight might be the problem. That is what connects to the lcd power inverter I replaced. I might try and order one of those off the net and give it a go replacing the backlight.