I have a Compaq Presario 1900 laptop that had a crushed display. I replaced it with a new LCD, but now all I get is a very dim outline of whatever image is supposed to be on the monitor. I have reloaded all of the drivers in the device manger, double checked the connections, and started in safe mode. (win98) I know the original monitor was working correctly because although the image was shattered on the original display, what I could see of it appeared to be fine. Any suggestions?
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Laptop Display Problems
- Thread starter retto
- Start date
What size is the LCD screen? What resolution do you have the screen set at?
LCD screens are only meant to be set at one resolution which depends on their size (i.e. 800x600, 1024x768, etc).
The other possibility is that you have a damaged LCD video cable that connects to the LCD screen. Did you replace this yourself?
~cdogg
"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein
LCD screens are only meant to be set at one resolution which depends on their size (i.e. 800x600, 1024x768, etc).
The other possibility is that you have a damaged LCD video cable that connects to the LCD screen. Did you replace this yourself?
~cdogg
"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein
- Thread starter
- #3
Yes I repaired the monitor myself, it doesn't appear as if anything is damaged on the new replacement, and the replacement was fairly easy. I have the resolution at 800x600, and the monitor is a 13.3". It looks as if some sort of back light is not coming on.
Believe it or not, LCD video cables don't seem to last long. At a company I used to work at, we supported hundreds of Dell and Toshiba laptops. One of the most common hardware service calls, next to the keyboard/mouse, involved the video cable. Make sure this didn't get pinched during the replacement.
If this laptop is still under warranty, have them send you a replacement cable even if the existing one doesn't look damaged.
~cdogg
"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein
If this laptop is still under warranty, have them send you a replacement cable even if the existing one doesn't look damaged.
~cdogg
"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein
- Thread starter
- #5
I never did the replacements myself, so I don't know. It would be best to consult with a Compaq rep on that one. From what I can gather, I don't think there is a way to really troubleshoot it unless you've got an identical laptop to swap it into.
~cdogg
"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein
~cdogg
"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein
It appears as if the backlight has blown, or it could be the inverter pcb. I see many LCD's with this problem. It is possible to replace the back light but not easy unless you have a clean room. When the display was damaged it is possible that a small fusible resistor has blown on the main board.
captainsycho
IS-IT--Management
I have serviced Compaq Presarios before and the pinched video cable is quite common, perticularly because of the way the unit was built. It can also be a problem with the pcb but the cable could always stand to be replaced anyway, so try that first. Good luck!
PS (using a putty knife to open the laptop monitor casing is better then using flat blade screwdriver, it will not mark up the plastic)
PS (using a putty knife to open the laptop monitor casing is better then using flat blade screwdriver, it will not mark up the plastic)
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