Lost My Laptop Display

[bludgard]

HI, All.

I have a slight problem and I felt I would bring it to the table to see if anyone could help.

I have recently installed Ubuntu 11.04 Natty as a dual boot on my Gateway M675PRR laptop. Everything was running fine: Great in fact. I installed lm sensors to monitor hardware and rebooted to a blank monitor. Nothing.

Entering Safe Mode or BIOS does not bring the screen up.

I reimaged the HDD with an image I created before installing Ubuntu: Monitor is still blank.

I have updated all graphics drivers and anything else I could update.

As a last resort, I have even flashed my BIOS with an update via WinPlash_1.50.55. (Scary, but what else could I do?) Thankfully, this went over without a hitch.:)

I have groveled around inside Windows trying various and many configurations to no avail. Device Manager recognizes the monitor and says that it is working properly.

When I click on Desktop>Properties, under Settings, the monitor is shown but is “Not Active”. I tried to extend Windows desktop to the monitor but after Apply and OK, nothing changes. It does not “Identify” the monitor, either.

(I can hook up any external display [CRT or LCD] and they all work).

Question: Could the sensors installed under Linux have damaged the motherboard? Or do you guys think the monitor has just all of a sudden given up the ghost?

The system is XP SP3 Pro 32-bit. The monitor is a 17.1-inch active matrix (TFT) LCD color display. If I knew a replacement display would work, I would acquire and replace.

If anyone may have any suggestions, please feel free.

If additional info is needed, let me know.

Thanks.

Speccy Specs:

Operating System

MS Windows XP Professional 32-bit SP3

CPU

Intel Pentium 4

Northwood 0.13um Technology

RAM

1.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR @ 199MHz (3-3-3-8)

Motherboard

Gateway Gateway M675PRR (uFCPGA2) 50 °C

Graphics

Default Monitor (1024x768@60Hz)

128MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9700 (Gateway 2000)

Hard Drives

244GB Western Digital WDC WD2500BEVE-00A0HT0 (PATA) 37 °C

Optical Drives

QSI DVD+-RW SDW-082S

Audio

SigmaTel C-Major Audio

[-pops-]

On some screens it is possible to see a faint display even when the backlight is not functional. A light held against the screen may help on this.

If there is no display at all then things will be bad. If there is a non-illuminated picture it may be possible to replace the inverter for the fluorescent lamp or even replace the lamp. This is not a low cost exercise and you may be better off getting a new machine.

[pawz7]

inverters do not cost too much so that might be worth a try - it sounds as if it might be that since the display works on an external monitor. You can get guidance on the web on replacing inverters, and it is good to have the technical manual for the laptop to refer to.

[bludgard]

Thanks for the replies, folk.

I have tried the flashlight against the screen trick and there is absolutely nothing.

I have searched for the display via internet and nothing under $100 US. Most around $135. Not worth it to me.

I have PDF user and service manuals and feel confident that I could change it out if I just “happen” upon the right hardware. I have already torn the lappy apart and reassembled. Since I do not have the tools necessary to troubleshoot the problem, maybe I will have a professional see if they can find the gremlin that is causing this blackout.

I guess I’ll use it as a wireless desktop: Just rip the screen off.:lol: (I will have to invest in Bluetooth if I want to connect wirelessly to a monitor). I was just going to upgrade the RAM to 2GB, too; glad I didn’t.

Thanks again for the input.;)

I liked the Ubuntu 11.04. I guess I’ll reinstall it.

[pawz7]

bludgard, we have replaced two inverters in the last few months and I think they cost us about £20 each and took less than half-an-hour to change (doing it for the first time would be slower). We got the inverters from the web but can't recall where now. Most sites will carry a range to suit the major laptops

Here is a website that might help with doing the job.

/>http://www.laptoprepair.co.uk/how-to-repair-backlight-inverter.htm

ps inverter is not same as display,which would cost a lot more, being the whole screen

[bludgard]

Thanks for the info, paw7.

Interesting indeed. I will rip this lappy apart again as soon as I get finished with my homework. I do not quite understand yet what the “tube” is in the tool array (within provided link). I will definitely do more research on the matter.

I hate to just have this laptop as another desktop. It is quite powerful and will pretty much handle anything I throw at it.

Much love,

Jody

[bludgard]

Update:

I figured out that the “tube” is a tool to test the inverters ability to light up something. I do not have a “tube” but will try to find a workaround for it.

I have torn the laptop apart and removed the inverter. I took it around to all the local computer shops to try to find a compatible replacement to no avail. I suppose when I get a few bucks in hand, I will continue this search; most likely online. I have found a few and they are quite cheap.

As for the laptop; I have removed the display and am using it as a desktop. It far surpasses any of the desktops I currently own and is compact and wireless. I will run Prime95 on it to determine if I want to upgrade it any more (RAM, W7 [which I can obtain at a fairly reasonable price as a student], or a new battery).

Thanks for the knowledge and encouragement, pawz7.

@-pops-, my wife is telling me to just get a new machine as well. The only problem is; where is the money going to come from?

[pawz7]

look online for the exact number you see written on the inverter. If you google 'inverter for (make and model)laptop' you should find sites that cater for your laptop, and then you can check on their website, or ask, if they have either that exact number LCD inverter or a compatible alternative. There are plenty of websites out there, and on eBay also. Hope you sort it :)

ps, be careful how you handle it..