I see red

Hi everyone,

First post and basically I'd like to cut to the chase. I own an Asus G50 that I bought at best buy over a year and a half ago. I love the machine, does everything I need. After a few accidental drops while in it's targus bag, my G50 developed some screen issues which no one has been able to give me a straight answer on.

Red lines and outlines on fonts appear from time to time and it drives me nuts. The only way to get rid of them is to wiggle the screen back and forth until they dissappear. Some days I can leave the laptop on for hours and it's perfect. On other days its the house of red.

I've taken my Asus to five different places and 3 out of 2 think it's my graphics card. They said that since the card is soldered to the motherboard it would cost me at least $600. to fix. Meanwhile, I've read on this site that the graphics card on my G50 is removable. I feel as though these shops are trying to rip me off. Two computer geek friends of mine think that it could just be a pinched wire or inexpensive part that just came loose.

I've take some photos. I'm hopeful that someone here can steer me in the right direction. Thanks in advanced.

Mike

 

I would probably second your friends thoughts. Probably the LCD cable if you can wiggle the screen and it gets better. The GPU in your laptop is removable, but the part itself will be in the 4-600 range even if you buy used. So if it is indeed the GPU, which is doubtful, its still going to be expensive. you might consider sending it in to Asus to have them repair it. They will give you a fair price on the parts and the labor. I would give them a call to see what they can do for you.

Joseph L

 

Wiggling the screen is pretty much a dead giveaway that it's the LVDS cable or connector.

If your graphics card were the problem you wouldn't have improper hues, you'd have random corruption and artifacts across your screen.

 

Thank you both for your quick responses. Real dumb question coming up. Is it better to send it to Asus (as was stated above) or just go to Best buy. I've heard not so good customer support from Asus. As for the fix, I could deal with 200-400. 600 needs some thought. I paid 900 for the G50, but it works great.

Note-Recently I bought a Sony Vaio F series which is pretty sweet, but there are certain things on the G50 I like a little better. So it is worth it to me to have it repaired.

 

You dropped it and this started happening? You can try popping off the left hinge cover and pushing the LVDS cable down to make sure it's snug. It takes a bit of force with the lid closed, just pry the outer edge of it up with a fingernail. It's worth a try before you get into an RMA, and doesn't even require tools.

 

Yep, I'm a klutz. I had a bad habit of sliding my laptop into the bag then without me looking it would flop over (off a stool) and drop about 3 feet to the ground. And yet my HD still lives .

As for the suggestion, I had a friend who used to run a pc repair shop do that exact thing. It didn't work and alas, he is out of the repair game and now runs a cigar shop he inherited.

 

I just did a quick search and I can't find the cable anywhere. I couldn't find the part number either and without taking the lid assembly apart you wouldn't be able to get at it.

As for whether to go with ASUS or Best Buy, I'd go with ASUS, but if you somehow have an extended warranty or something with Best Buy, that'd change things a bit...

You might want to skip ASUS altogether and go for one of their service providers, listed here.

This one is probably the closest to you:
Computer Literates
3802 Gibsonia Road (Route 910)
Gibsonia, PA 15044
Phone: 724-449-0002
URL: Computer and Laptop Repair|New Systems|Networking Service
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9:00am - 7:00pm (Eastern)
Friday-Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm (Eastern)

 

I would never leave a computer at Best Buy for any reason. Personally I have had good experience with Asus' repair, but you will find people who have had bad experiences. I would use them in your case.

 

Thanks for all the great help guys, it's well appreciated. I think I'll be going the Asus route (listed providers) .

Mike

 

Good choice. The Asus route is going to be cheaper in the end and more reliable. Especially since your laptop does not have to be dropped off in a store and then sent to a repair center. You just send it or take it to the person who is actually doing the repair for you. After managing for best buy back in the day(hey everyone has done it at one time right?)I just dont trust the repair center that we used to send all of the laptops to. I work with Asus on a daily basis and have found the contacts that I talk to much easier to work with.

 

...whoever told you that the video card was soldered to the board was an idiot..did they even look at the computer or did they just make an asumption? I brought my asus g71 to bestbuy because i tried to water cool it...i know what ur thinking..it worked until a line ruptured. But they told me it would be 300 to replace the ram stick that was bad...never going anywhere again, fixing my own stuff...also because they left there geek squad cd in my computer lol