Asus V6J LCD Backlight Switch Problem

I have owned my Asus V6J for 17 months. I have noticed the following problem for about a month and it is now getting worse. When I open the lid of the computer past 90 degrees, the backlight shuts off as though I were closing the lid completely. I assume it is a bad switch in the hinge or a loose or frayed connection that is only strained enough to cause a problem at the over 90 degree angle.

My questions are:
a)Are there others with a similar problem? (MMaster23 had the problem here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=125525&page=16)
b)Will Asus recognize this as a known issue and help me out even if I am not under warranty?
c)Does anyone know where to look for the problem or have the disassembly manual for this model?

Thanks in advance for any advice or info you can offer!

Other related models: V6V/V6Va/V6J/VX1

 

Never heard of the issue.

If it's 17 months you're still under warranty (unless you're in the US or somewhere where V6Js had less than 2 years warranty) so they should fix it.

I have the disassembly manual. PM me with your email address if you want me to send it.

It can also be a bad inverter cable or connection. What happens when you keep it at 90 degrees? Does it flicker?

 

most likely the data cable for the lcd is damaged or the inverter is either damaged or loose
asus will not fix anything for free if it is OUT of warranty nor will any other manufacturer. we do repairs on asus notebooks which included lcd replacement or inverter/cable repair.

 

What I suggest is, if the OP is comfortable with it, to order from the ASUS eStore an inverter; inverter cable; and possibly an LCD data cable; and replace the components him/herself. It's an amount of roughly 30-40USD.

I would not recommend exchanging the LCD on this machine. It's very likely the problem is with a connection (inverter; inverter cable) and NOT the LCD itself. The LCD is expensive; those other components are not.

 

Ooh - how similar to the V6V is the V6J? My old one has entire columns of faulty pixels, but as it's intermittentish it must be a dodgy contact. If they're the same I'd appreciate that manual too.

 

I really appreciate the input. I am in the US so I guess I am out of warranty. I do not believe that the lcd data cable is suspect. The backlight simply goes out at over 90 degree angles. It is so reliable and easy to reproduce, I am hesitant to believe that the power cable from the inverter to the backlight (if there is such a cable) is loose or bad either, if it were it seems like after a few 'stretches' the backlight would stop coming on all together. I am very suspicious of whatever it is that controls the backlight based on lid position. Because there is no latch on this model, the switch seems like it would be in one, or both of the hinges. Does this make sense to anyone? Maybe the disassembly manual will show me...

I looked on the Asus store site and there was no inverter or cables listed for the V6J, should I be looking under other models?

Again thanks for all the help and input.

 

I do this for a living. I cant tell you how many times this happen when the data cable is loose or kinked or torn. same exact thing can happen with a loose inverter.

 

Thanks geared2play. There is a cord from the inverter to the backlight itself correct? That one could be loose or damaged?

Where are you guys located? How is your turnaround?

 

the lcd has a crod that plugs into the inverter. the inverter plugs in to the mainboard. it is possible one of the 2 cords are damged. also the data cable to the top of the lcde may be damaged then again you would NORMALLY get an all white screen if that was the case

 

Yes, a faulty signal cable would manifest itself in a different way, rather than cutting off the image. Louiep: when the screen cuts off, do you still see the image on the screen, although darkly because there is no backlight? If so, it is not the signal cable.

I really suspect inverter cable. As G2P said, the inverter connects via a removable cable to the motherboard; and via another cable to the LCD. The latter cable I'm not sure it can be exchanged without taking apart the LCD (on my M6 it can't be, and I suspect I would need to change the entire screen if that cable went bad).

I also agree with Louiep that if there was a bad connection there should probably be some variation in the angle at which the backlight cuts off. But that's by no means certain. The only way to investigate is to take it apart and have a look, try reseating, or even ordering the components (inverter and inverter cable).

Here are the links to the V6J inverter:
http://estore.asus.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=3516
VX/V6J INVERTER_BD.
I have not found the cable itself, but it might be a part of this set:
http://estore.asus.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=2925
V6V CABLE SET

You would need to ask...

I usually search the estore just by the 2 letter model ID: e.g., "V6" and have a look at all the list. Maybe you can find something like that.

Keith_C the computers are very similar; in any case, I have the manual for the V6V not the V6J. (or rather, it's a generic manual for the V6 series). Please PM me your email address and I'll send it to you.

 

I have the same problem, the cables from the main board to the LCD and the inverter board+some LEDs join and go through the hinge in a tight angle, which makes it (I suspect) a weak spot. I could confirm that the cable was bad there by bending/ unbending the cable (after some disassembly): the backlight came and went... I just ordered this part:
08-20UV8011N, V6V-1A COAXIAL 15SXGA+/AU/IDT
from the estore. It is not the same as the one in my V6J (no 08G26VJ8110N), but it looks the same, so hopefully it works...

 

Like I said, if it is the backlight it's probably the INVERTER not the COAX cable. So you should order the inverter cable, as well, I'm afraid.

I'm not sure that cable will work btw, the LCD type should match. Do you have an AUO LCD on your system? (I think that's what AU/IDT means in the suffix)

 

I agree, the cables are not however seperate: they are plugged in seperately on the main board side, then they join, go through the hinge and then split into a flat LCD cable, one cable to a small LED board and one to the inverter board (you can see this also on the picture on the estore - it's a weird cable with five ends!!). The label has the serial number and a 15SXGA+/AU/IDT designation. (btw, what is an AUO LCD?) I have also asked estore about the cable - no aswer yet (weekend I figure).

In my case the backlight was the problem, with a secondary problem that red ghost images would sometimes appear on screen if there was backlight. So my guess is that in the joined part one one of the lines is damaged and be loose and sometimes crosstalk to the data part...does that make sense??

 

A-ha. So that is the reason for which I could not find an inverter cable for the V6J. Please, do let me know if this works as I'm planning to exchange my own inverter cable on the V6J sometime soon.

AUO is an ODM (original design manuf) for LCDs, sometimes used by ASUS. I believe that is what the AU stands for in that coax cable name.

If the label on the cable in your computer reads 15SXGA+/AU/IDT, and that's what the part ID reads on the eStore, then they are almost sure to fit.

As to ghosting... crosstalk due to damaged insulation leading to EM interference is imaginable. Not broken insulation / short, though. The power that goes through the inverter cables is large, I imagine that would just burn out either the coax cable or else something in the LCD circuitry.

 

emphyrio, it sounds like we have the same problem precisely. I have the backlight problem that can be aleviated or exacerbated by pinching and moving the cable and i have a bit of red ghosting, not much.

I am considering ordering that cable (V6V-1A COAXIAL 15SXGA+/AU/IDT). You said that you have already ordered it? Please post on your progress, and I will do the same. Though right now I am going to see if that cable you ordered is the correct one for our machine... Thanks for the help!

 

bad news. the cable for the V6V-1A is not the same as the V6J one - the LCD data cable has three more wires, and will not work. In the end I split the cables and used the LCD data part of the old and the inverter/LED board part of the new..which works. it is a bit of messy affair getting the tape of the cable, in the process I discovered that the wires of the inverter cable within the old bundle were broken (they seemed much more brittle than they should have been, maybe because of the dried sticky goo from the tape enclosing them..)

 

Yep, a bit complicated but at least it solved your problem. So it's up to us to identify the cable for V6J on the ASUS estore... (if there is one)

 

Sorry about bringing up a month-old thread, but my 2-year-old V6J is starting to show similar problems. It has gotten to the point where the hinge must be opened all the way for the backlight to come on; when it's not, the backlight is off but I can still see the picture on the LCD. I, however, do not have any red ghosting issues (yet).

I'd like to open up my laptop and just take a look around, but I'm not sure where the cables I'm interested in are. Could I get a copy of the disassembly manual? Also, since there isn't a little button on the exterior that is pressed when the LCD is closed to turn off the backlight, does anybody know what mechanism the V6J employs?

UPDATE:
I have isolated the problem to the inverter cable as well. Has there been any progress in finding a V6J-specific inverter cable?

 

I believe the eStore has it for the V6V, however, they use a different screen, so I am not entirely sure if they would be compatible.

 

Me neither... I would try to open up the laptop and find the part ID for the inverter cable (on my M6BNe I think it is on a sticker which is stuck around the cable). Then google around for that part number, maybe you get lucky...

Otherwise you can try calling ASUS repair center to find out, but I'm not sure they will know...

 

I'm having issues with my V6J internal display becoming garbled. It happens quite randomly, and I'm a few months over the 2 year warranty. Sigh! I noticed on an earlier post that E.B.E had the V6V disassembly manual - would I be able to get my hands on this please? I can't for the life of me work out how to PM, perhaps because I'm new to this forum? Thanks in advance.

 

The disassembly manual issue was resolved elsewhere.

Did you try:
a) reinstall/update the GPU driver, or revert to stock driver
b) complete Windows reinstall

just to eliminate software, before you start investing money in hardware?

But it does look like (hardware) GPU problems... It can also be the LCD signal cable, but that's less likely as that would produce "analog" defects, like lines running on the screen, rather than "digital" defects like the "garble" you are mentioning.

It could also be GPU overheating. Did you clean your notebook recently (there is a cleaning guide on the Info Booth).

 

Thanks for your help. I think it's a hardware problem - I've tried driver reinstall and also stock drivers. I didn't want to try a Windows re-install yet though.

Reason I also think it's hardware is because the garble consists of lines across the screen, like you mentioned, as well as a checkerboard pattern, and also random ghost images and duplications.

You make a good point about cleaning! I will get to this soon and see if it makes a difference. The environment the V6J is working in isn't exactly dust-less, haha.

If that doesn't help, might just take it back to Taiwan and get it repaired there, hopefully that'd be cheaper than repairing it out-of-warranty in Australia!

Thanks again for your help.

 

would u mind sending me an email to [email protected] of the disassembly manual E.B.E.? tried to PM you but i just stopped by this forum after searching the same problem with my V6J.

 

Check Info Booth (link in sig), under Disassembly Manuals. Directly downloadable.

 

I started having this problem 3 months ago as well with my V6J, which I've had for 2 years now. The backlight turns off when the laptop is opened more than 80 degrees. After reading this thread, I took it apart and confirmed that it is indeed the cable to the inverter. I put an extra twist in the cable, and that worked for a couple weeks.

Meanwhile I bought a V6V cable set -- that's the only one Asus sells for the V6 series, as well as the V6V miscellaneous set and a V6J inverter board, in hopes one of these would come with the cable. None of them did!

I brought the laptop to the repair shop at my University, so as not to waste too much time on this, and he couldn't find anyone who sold the cable either. I am really not sure what to do to fix this now, even though it's so simple.

I intend to buy a new laptop (probably a Lenovo u330) so I can get mobile again, and sell this one. But it'd be a bit easier to sell fixed.

 

How about contacting the local ASUS service center (or the nearest center to you) and ask them if they will sell you the cable? I did this for the M6BNe, and they did sell me the cables.

 

Hi there! I have problem with my asus a6qoovc model laptop. My screen went black when I started computer. I pressed Fn+F7 screen flashed for a second and then went black again.I could see that computer is running ok.I tried external monitor it worked. So I took apart my laptop and tried to move inverter cable,here was the problem.I changed it and my notebook was ok for a week. Then it started all over again. I bought another inverter with another cable. Today I changed it and nothing happend. My screen is still black and only when I press Fn+F7 and hold it I can see that computer is working ,screen flashes. Please could you advise me what to do?

 

Weird problem. If you replaced the inverter and cable (inverter cable right?), then any inverter-related problems should be solved.

However, the fact that it still flashes suggests an inverter problem. But, because it's new, we have to admit that it's highly unlikely.

Now I find it difficult to say what it could be. Does it do the same thing in the BIOS (asking just to eliminate any possibility of a software problem)

If it's hardware, then it could be a problem in the mainboard connector of the cable. Some kind of short, for instance. I'm not sure how you could isolate such a problem with certainty, however... This may require motherboard replacement.

It can also be a problem with the backlight itself. This would probably require LCD replacement (replacing backlight is technically possible, practically a very difficult task).

 

I will try few things and write back agin.It could be the mainboard connector.Before I changed my inverter cable I tried to move the cable where it's pluged to mainboard. When i was moving the screen flashed for a second and then went black again.That's why I thought it's cable problem.Thanks for help.

 

I moved inverter cable inside the mainboard connector,slowly pluged and unpluged and screen flashes... specialy when I plug it in..and it blinks a litle inside the mainb. connector. probably as you said some kind of short.

 

Also, it's not such a good idea to do these things with the computer turned on. But yeah, there's no other way to test it.

Does it flash after you plug it in (while not touching it)? If so, then it
looks indeed like a short in/near the main board connector. Maybe an electronics store will have that type of connector? Although it's very possible it's a custom connector and they don't have it. Even if they have it, it requires some very careful soldering to put it in place... I know I wouldn't be comfortable with doing it.

If it only flashes when you insert it... if the computer is on, then it may be normal, since quite a bit of power goes to the inverter from the mainboard, and it's possible there is an arc from the connector to the cable, just before contact is made.

 

Yes it flashes only when I insert it. And when I plug it in and move the inverter cable nothing happens. Screen is black.Only when I make It loose and slowly try to move inside the connector then my screen flashes.

 

Bad connection, most likely.

 

So what do you think? Mainboard is ok? Man I don't know what to do.. to repair it in London will cost a lot..better to buy a new one

 

London? Ouch. Don't send it to ASUS

Maybe you can try an electronic repair shop, see if they can replace the connector. Depending on the price; if the price is small, there's nothing much to lose.

 

Ok. Thank you for your help mate When I'll solve the problem I'll write it in here.

 

Hi! E.B.E. do you know where I can find switch which makes laptop hybirnate when you close lid?

 

I'm assuming you're using XP?

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Power Options.
2. Click the Hibernate tab, and then select the Enable hibernate support check box. If the Hibernate tab is not available, your hardware does not support this feature.

 

Hi! I mean hardware switch or how you call it.I wrote here before that I have backlight problem on asus A6000 series.

 

In some laptops it's under screen hinges.When you close the lid it presses the switch. I can't find it in asus A6000. I want to disconnect it.

 

I don't think there's a dedicated hardware switch for hibernation. However, if you go back to your power options, you can select hibernate when you close the lid or when you press your power button.

 

oh... i see what you mean.... in that case, I'm not sure where exactly the little toggle is.... but it should be around the hinges.

 

I cheked ,can't find Thank you!

 

But why do you want to access that? If you simply want to stop the computer from hibernating when you close the lid, there is a software option in the power profile.


In XP:
Desktop > Properties > Screen Saver > Power > Advanced tab, and then "When I close the lid of my portable computer", Do Nothing.

 

For the same reason:sometimes when you disconnect this little switch it helps with screen problem.

 

Disconnecting the switch helps with the screen problem, only when the screen problem is caused by the switch being (erroneously) activated. Which turns off the backlight.

Do you have reasons to believe this is the problem in your case? I'm asking because more often than not, backlight problems are caused by the inverter or inverter cables going bad.

 

I ended up buying the cable that emphyrio got (the estore didn't have it when I was trying the other cables, but did later) and splitting it, and it worked, but was sure a pain of a repair.

 

Good, at least we have a confirmation that V6V inverter cable works for V6J (even if it requires splitting etc.)

I may need to do this myself. I have some flickering sometimes...