Alienware m17x R2 screen Blackout / Flicker issue; Works fine on External Monitor

Specs of machine at the bottom (Alienware m17x R2)

Short Version: non-functioning screen on laptop

Problem history:

Screen had been ever-so-slightly flickering a little for the past 2 days.

Then last night with multiple programs open, went black, and would not come back. I could still alt-tab and hear ambient sounds of various programs..

Eventually I gave up and turned the machine off. Upon turning it back on, it seemed to start as normal, I could hear Windows noises signifying I'm on the password screen, nothing sounded weird with the hardware.

But nothing shows up on the screen.

I tried removing battery and doing a few basic things to no avail.

Eventually I tried using a VGA plug into an external monitor, which works perfectly.

As I was checking my email and typing, I noticed suddenly my laptop screen flickered back on and off

Now its still permanently black.

opened the laptop, all connecters are in place.

Could it be a damaged screen cable connector or i need to replace the screen itself.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

It is good that you have already checked and found it working with an external monitor. Most people don't try that before it is suggested.

If you move the display to different positions on its hinges, even to the extreme range of motion, does it ever turn on? If not, possibly the display screen but could be the screen or cable. I would plan on replacing both for the sake of convenience. The cables can wear out and develop shorts over time from constant flexing when opening and closing the display.

If movement produces any evidence of life, it's a very strong indication that the problem is the cable and that's all I would buy initially.

 

no not at all,i tried it.
i even tried slightly tapping the connector to see if it will flicker, but nothing,all black.

But i am guessing it could be the connector since, in the first 2 days, when i restart the laptop, the screen works perfectly,
until a couple of minutes later, the flickering comes back.

 

It could be either one. Since the cable is cheaper, you could do that first. I would not replace the display without the cable, but it certainly would not hurt to replace only the cable to see if that is enough. If restarting the laptop used to make it work (without any movement of the display panel) then I think this has me leaning toward the display panel dying.

Just for kicks, to rule out the possibility of a strange driver bug, have you tried uninstalling the video drivers and using the Windows Standard VGA driver to see if the display mysterious starts working? This will probably just be a waste of time, but I think it's worth investigation before spending money on parts.