LCD screen
A laptop screen also known as LCD screen displays an image generated by the laptop video card. The LCD screen receives data signal from the video card through the LCD cable.
Laptop screens come in many different sizes and resolutions. In order to find the LCD screen size (in inches), you’ll have to measure the screen between the two diagonal corners.
Older laptops had mostly full screen LCD displays. Newer laptops have mostly widescreen LCD displays.
A backlight lamp (also known as CCFL bulb) is the main source of light in any LCD screen. The backlight lamp powers up by the inverter board.
The LCD screen mounts inside the laptop display panel between the screen bezel and display cover. The LCD screen is attached to the screen brackets (display brackets) which are permanently attached to the display hinges.
TYPICAL LCD SCREEN RELATED FAILURES
On the following images you’ll see some typical LCD screen related failures.
1. You can see image only on a part of the LCD screen. For example, only the top side of the screen works properly.
2. There is one or more thin multi color lines running down the screen.
3. There is a wide band running down the LCD screen. The
BUYING A NEW REPLACEMENT SCREEN
The LCD screen is one of the most expensive parts in a laptop computer. If your screen is damaged and you decide to replace it yourself, you’ll have to make sure to purchase a new screen compatible with your laptop. Hear are a few things to consider before buying a new screen:
1. Screen size.
2. Some laptops come with full size LCDs. Some laptops come with widescreen LCDs.
3. LCD screen could be matte or glossy.
4. Same size LCD screens may have different resolutions.
The best way to find a new replacement screen would be using the manufacturer’s part number or LCD screen model. Both could be found on the back side of the screen.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
I have a Compaq V2000 that the backlight will only come on for a second when i mes with the lid switch. i have changed the inverter and the ccfl to no avail. Any ideas on what to try next.
Thanks
Ed
November 16th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Joe,
It’s hard to tell what is wrong without testing the laptop with another known good LCD screen. I think it could be one of the following:
1. Poor connection between the video cable and motherboard or LCD screen. Reconnecting the cable might help to fix the problem.
2. Bad LCD screen.
3. Faulty motherboard.
November 15th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Hi, thanks for the interesting website. I have a Dell Inspiron 9300 laptop (no warranty). I had the LCD replaced 7 months ago. The original LCD had the infamous “Dell vertical lines” problem. After about 10 minutes the display starts flickering (30 seconds) and then turns all white with a slight bluish tint. Using an external monitor still works. Any idea what the problem is?
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:36 am
Stathis,
I think it might work if you install a matte screen for Pavilion dv6000 series. Something like that. This is just a guess so proceed on your own risk.
Some screens might have two backlight lamps inside, so it has to be repalce with another dual lamp screen.
September 19th, 2009 at 5:43 am
Hello!
My LCD screen of my laptop (HP dv6680ev) was smashed and I will replace it on my own. The original LCD was glossy, which I never really liked – with daylight you could clearly see yourself like mirror.
The problem is that one the HP website no matte LCD is available for my model. However I am pretty sure I can use a LCD from another model. What should I take care of in order to be compatible with my laptop? Any 15.4” 1280×800 WXGA will do??
Thanks in advance for your help!
September 8th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
warren,
Are you sure that there is no image on the screen at all when the backlight goes off? Look very closely. Most likely the image is still there, but it’s so dark that you cannot see anything.
Your description sounds like a problem with the inverter board or backligth lamp. I would try replacing the inverter board first. You have a good chance to fix the problem by replacing the inverter.
September 8th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Dave Schooling,
I’m not sure what causes the failure like that. Probably a problem with the LCD controller board, maybe bad solder joint somewhere on the board. Not sure.
Anyways, if you have a failure like that the entire LCD has to be replaced.
I doubt it. A faulty video cable would affect image on the entire screen.
You can try reconnecting the video cable connector on the motherboard, but I don’t think it will help. All connections in ThinkPad laptops are pretty secure.
September 6th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Hi, could you tell me what causes the failure of screen 1? Yesterday, touching the screen on the lower left corner brought back the T42’s screen, but not today. When it’s not as shown, the lower third of the screen is just frozen with the most recent image. Could it be the video cable? Thanks, Dave.
September 4th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Hi Repair Man i have a problem for you, my laptop screen goes blank no backlight and nothing on screen at all, however it works fine on an external screen. If i toggle the crt/lcd button i briefly get the internal screen back then it goes blank again could this be the internal cable. Any help would be appreciated.
August 19th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Sam,
Sounds like you have a faulty memory slot. Unfortunately you cannot fix this problem at home unless you know how to reflow the memory slot connections on the motherboard.
There are two options:
1. Replace the motherboard.
2. Use the laptop with only one working slot.
Also, you can try this technique to “fix” the faulty memory slot.
August 14th, 2009 at 10:34 am
I tried alternating the modules. No luck.
I tried each individual module separately and came to the conclusion that one of the module slots is unable to read either memory modules because the top slot reads both and the laptop works fine.
Is it possible to replace one of the slots because I think its connected to the motherboard? Is it possible to just use one of the memory modules, if so, what are the ramifications of using just one?
August 14th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Sam,
The first thing to try would be reconnecting the memory module. Maybe it’s not making good contact the the slot.
Do you have two memory modules installed? Test the laptop with each module separately, it’s possible that one of the modules failed.
Try moving memory from one slot to another and test the laptop.
August 13th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Screen goes black, nothing displayed, when I start up my Presario CQ50-215NR. Power light works normally. Drive light blinks normally. I don’t think its the battery because the same thing (a black blank screen) happens when I take out the battery and just use the AC adapter. I hear the fan and that’s about it. I tried using two external monitors (thinking it was a problem with the laptop’s lcd screen) but it was just futile because the same thing would just happen.
It was working normally in the morning, however, after I shut it down and came back an hour later to turn it back on, the screen would just be blank and black. Would be appreciated if you could provide some helpful insight.
July 24th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Hi Yes the cable connection to the motherboard had worked loose, maybe through heat from that area or poor design, but considering the experts advise to replace the motherboard for a second time it just shows the logical approach can bear fruit. Thanks again. Simon
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Simon,
So, what was the problem? Loose connection between the video cable and motherboard?
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Hi Just an update for all, I now have a fully functioning laptop which has cost nothing to repair, contrary to the alledged experts advice to spend another £230, and now very happy. Thank you for all the advice and support. Regards Simon
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:32 am
Simon,
You can get disassembly instructions in the official service guide or take a look at this guide for a Pavilion dv9000 notebook.
The guide explains how to remove the keyboard cover. The video cable connector is located right under the cover on the left side. Read the keyboard removal instructions.
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:08 am
I can only assume the cable will be located under the area of the button, but am going to have to try to find some instructions on taking the laptop base apart to get in. The laptop is a HP Dv9576, so will probably do it tomorrow night. Very excited now…hehe Thanks for your hep yet again. Si
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:51 am
Simon,
Are you applying pressure in the area where the video cable is connected to the motherboard? It’s possible that the video cable is not making good connecting with the motherboard.
Try reconnecting the cable.
Be careful, do not bent pins inside the connector when you are reseating the cable.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:39 am
Hi me again, the weirdest thing just occurred, when going to switch off the laptop I pressed a part of the laptop missing the button, and the screen partially returned, pressing around this area causes the picture to change dramatically. Any new ideas? Thanks