E1505 Display Died or did it???

So I boot my E1505 this morning and during boot the display flickers, then all was well. Next time it took two boots to get a stable display. Now after six boots no display.

I'll occasionally, see the Dell BIOS screen for a second but no more Win XP screen. Prior to this morning their have been no early warning signals. The E1505 has been bullet proof.

I'm 2-month past warranty and did a little checking on Dell.com . . . Ouch!!! $39 just to talk to me. $159 to mail it to Dell, more if it's a LCD or MB repair. I Googled and eBayed looking for a display, $180++. Would seem to be more economical to buy a spare laptop.

I disassembled to the point of removing the LCD from the lid. The cable is continous from the LCD to the MB, no connectors inbetween.

Because when I briefly see the display, it's in full color, I wonder if it truly is the LCD. Acts more like its losing ground and then it goes black.

Any thoughts or suggestions on troubleshooting this critter? Are their other repair options?

Thanks
Hermit

 

You see the initial BIOS splash and then nothing? Or even the splash screen is not displayed properly ? Can you go into the BIOS ? does the display work ok inside the BIOS ?
If so, then your problem may not be a hardware fault at all, or at least not with the display.

 

Reseat that cable on the motherboard...

 

Sometimes the Dell BIOS splash displays for ~1 sec or less.

From the audible signals it appears the computer is fully booting into windows, just no display. I could hook up an external monitor. But, IIRC, one needs the LCD working to set up the second monitor.

Thanks
Hermit

 

Tried that, would have done so sooner except that the label hid the connector. In any case no change.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks
Hermit

 

I'm writing this via the E1505 connected to my external CRT. The Fn CRT/LCD key allows me to use the CRT for display. So as I suspected the E1505 is booting to Windows.

Furthermore, the LCD on the E1505 will briefly come to life if I toggle the CRT/LCD button, then it goes out.

I don't have the original HDD, so no Dell diagnostics unless they're built into the BIOS firmware. However I do have the Dell XP MCE DVD, can I do any diagnostics with it?

Thanks,
Hermit

 

If it is not a loose connection or a cable problem, then the most likely case would be a faulty inverter or in some rare cases even the lamp. However, since your display works for a brief moment most likely a faulty inverter.

Look very closely and see if you can still make out anything on the screen like the desktop etc. Because a faulty inverter / lamp usually means no back light, but the actual LCD panel still works. I have seen inverters on eBay and few other places for less than $100; you can replace it yourself. But don’t know much about lamps, or even whether they can be replaced or not.

I don't know much about LCD repairs, but I have seen a couple of busted inverters. However, I've never replaced one myself. Maybe someone with more experience can help .

 

If all fails.. I rem with mine. My X1400 went bad within a month, Dell sent a tech out to replace it for free.

So if you have a warrenty, just call dell and have them send someone out.

 

This morning after using the E1505 for 30-minutes on the external CRT, I clicked the CRT/LCD button. The LCD turned right on, didn't even flicker.

So it implies the LCD is fine and whatever the problem is solves itself with a warmup. Just what is this inverter? Does the LCD need a higher voltage than the batteries supply? If I went looking for a replacement inverter, how would I describe it?

Edit Did a little Googling, found this: Inverter
Edit 2 This one looks better: Inverter $50

Thanks
Hermit

 

"I'm 2-month past warranty and did a little checking on Dell.com . . . Ouch!!! $39 just to talk to me. $159 to mail it to Dell, more if it's a LCD or MB repair. I Googled and eBayed looking for a display, $180++."

From my original post.

Thanks
Hermit

 

Here is an article that explains a bit about LCD repairs, how it works and why an inverter is needed.

You can just search for 6400 / E1505 inverters, there are plenty of google hits. one such hit

 

That was the AH HA I needed, the high voltage is needed for the fluorescent tube which is the backlight. So either the tube is failing, unlikely, no flicker or the inverter is failing, more likely.

I'll now watch this for a few days to determine which to replace.

Clearly, you're a better Googler than me, you got to $39.

I'm going to try Dell's diagnostics next to see if it can help find the faulty part.

Many Thanks
Hermit

 

Hermit, sorry, didnt see it. Did you try to see if Dell can get you a extended service contract? I know they offer it. Might be 100-200$ but least your covered for "x" years again. I did the 3 yr warrenty myself.. didnt do insurance but Im normally good with my PCs. But I figure in 3 years.. would be time to upgrade again anyways lol.

Edit: Oh yea, Btw. I looked at how tricky replacing the LCD is.. lot to take out and put back in.. Was toying with the idea orig on changing out my video card myself... I gave up on that idea as I didnt want to ruin a good warrenty.