Weird Screen Flicker

Alanthora

Hey Guys,

So out of nowhere my laptop screen started behaving really weird. I posted a video so you guys can see it rather than me trying to explain. The laptop is a DELL inspiron M5040.

http://youtu.be/Cb--pjgoNR0

Thanks,
Pawel G.

johndoe99

video don't work

Alanthora

It should work now, I changed it so it's a direct link

entangled

I'd say it's a hardware issue since it's happening before Windows has even started properly. I presume it continues
after the laptop boots up?

Same thing happened to my last laptop. Didn't get any better or worse over time really. Eventually got a new one.

Alanthora

Yeah, nothing changes when it boots up. I'd say it get's even worse because of all the other colours on the screen

johndoe99

If it appeared at startup, did you install any software or make any hardware changes since last shutdown?

What are the laptop specs?

Do you have a Monitor that you could connect to the laptop. This might rule out the laptop screen as being faulty/damaged.

Alanthora

So I just connected it to an external monitor and there was no problem over there.

No hardware changes and no software changes.

Nforce

Had to replace a screen on an M5040 last week which had the same problem. They're pretty cheap (and easy )to replace yourself at ~€50.

johndoe99

Alanthora wrote: »

So I just connected it to an external monitor and there was no problem over there.

If there's no flickering on the external monitor, then the LCD display is at fault.

Is it still under warranty?

GarIT

johndoe99 wrote: »

If there's no flickering on the external monitor, then the LCD display is at fault.

Is it still under warranty?

Or the connection between the motherboard and the screen or the inverter.

Alanthora

GarIT wrote: »

Or the connection between the motherboard and the screen or the inverter.

That's what I'm afraid of, I mean replacing a screen won't be a problem. I've done those before. But is there any way I could rule out any of the other components mentioned above?

GarIT

Alanthora wrote: »

That's what I'm afraid of, I mean replacing a screen won't be a problem. I've done those before. But is there any way I could rule out any of the other components mentioned above?

Trying another screen is the only way to know for sure. You could open is up and look for visible signs of damage but most damage isn't visible.

Nforce

You could try wiggling the screen connection cable to the motherboard to see if it makes any difference to the display, but chances are it's the screen that needs replacing.

Alanthora

I'm no expert in this case, but to me it seems like a connection problem rather than the LCD problem. It's really bugging me because it looks like something you see from a badly connected cable or something.
I don't have a problem buying a new screen, but I hoped to be sure it's the actual screen. I'll have to risk it I guess.

I'll open it up tomorrow and see if maybe there is a loose cable or something. I'll try moving the cables to see if anything changes. If not, I'll just order a new screen.

Thanks guys!