Re: Dell Laptop LCD Repair--Part way there?

On 12 Jun 2005 10:25:21 -0700, dkuhajda@xxxxxxxx wrote:

>The inverter does not serve exactly the same role as a ballast in a
>shop light.
>Most laptop displays have 2 back light lamps, does yours have one ore
>two and did both get replaced if it has two (top and bottom)???

There is only one CCFL in the LCD. Which I replaced. The new CCFL
lights the screen and stays lit. It also appears to respond correctly
to contrast/brightness controls (which are on the laptop keyboard).
However, my current issue is that what is displayed is significantly
distorted, to the point that if I didn't know what was normally
displayed at those points, I'd have no idea what was going on. I can
clearly see the typical 'flicker' that changing video modes causes,
etc.

My question about the inverter was to eliminate it as the cause of the
distortion, which your explanation indicates to me that I can do: If
the CCFL is lighting display and staying lit, I can assume that the
inverter is operating properly.

Which by my estimation leaves me 2 or 3 points of failure:

1) The ribbon/flex cable (which dell calls a video harness) has a
problem between the video card and the LCD...I couldn't see any
_visible_ signs of damage to the cable, but doesn't mean anything.
Replacement cost is going to be around $53.

2) The LCD itself is damaged in some fashion that I wasn't able to
see, which means I'd need to order a completely new LCD module
($503!).

3) The video card is damaged in some fashion (I currently regard this
as the least likely explanation).


Thank you for your explanation, it helped clarify my understanding of
the role the inverter. I was feeling rather tentative about what I
knew. :)

Now if I could only conclusively identify where my "new" point of
failure is before I go order a $500 (or even the $50) part...

Iain

.

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