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    Screen is black

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by lordmail, Dec 5, 2009.

  1. lordmail

    lordmail Notebook Consultant

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    My laptop screen just won't turn on anymore, it seems that the laptop still boots since the lights are blinking and the HDD spins.

    Although if I wait a while and press the off button it turns off instantly suggesting that the os has not booted fully.

    What is wrong?
     
    lordmail, Dec 5, 2009
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  2. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    Oh boy, you could have a bad backlight.

    Grab a flashlight and when it boots up, shine it at the screen. If you see faint text and graphics, you got a bad backlight.
     
    surfasb, Dec 5, 2009
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  3. lordmail

    lordmail Notebook Consultant

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    Nothing is on the screen :( I have used a flashlight but there is absolutely nothing . I am quite concerned at how fast the computer switches off after I press the power button. It is literally 2 seconds
     
    lordmail, Dec 5, 2009
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  4. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    Now it could be anything. I assumed you've check the memory modules, connectors etc.....

    If it powers on like that but doesn't beep it, then that's real bad news. Typically that's something major like CPU, GPU, Chipset etc.....
     
    surfasb, Dec 5, 2009
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  5. lordmail

    lordmail Notebook Consultant

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    Oh great...... New laptop time. Good thing I was thinking of getting a new one anyway. Xps studio 13 here I come. But before I do that, anyway of checking that it is totally dead?
     
    lordmail, Dec 5, 2009
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  6. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    Plug in an external monitor. Maybe you are lucky.

    And then crack it open and check the connections.
     
    surfasb, Dec 5, 2009
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  7. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    If you've reseated the RAM chips (if you have two - try one or the other in each slot - there is a 'preferred' primary slot for a single RAM module);

    If you've tried the notebook with/without the battery installed and/or just on battery power;

    If you've tried unplugging the power and removing the battery and press/release every single key/button on the computer and waiting 10 minutes before you plugin or use the AC power;

    If you've tried to get into the BIOS and select 'load defaults';

    If you've removed the HD and see if you can't get to the BIOS;

    I think then, that the notebook is 'dead'.
     
    tilleroftheearth, Dec 5, 2009
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  8. wildman_33

    wildman_33 Notebook Evangelist

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    could well be a dead nvidia gpu as yours is an 8600m gt and they are known to fail
     
    wildman_33, Dec 5, 2009
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  9. lordmail

    lordmail Notebook Consultant

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    I have done all of the tests as suggested above and no luck :( *weeps* I actually really loved my laptop and have spent alot of time with it. I EVEN TOOK IT TO ANTARTICA!!! *sigh* thanks for all your help. I shall rep u all when I get to a computer and not just my phone.
     
    lordmail, Dec 5, 2009
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  10. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    Antartica!!??

    Man, keep that thing and repair the joker!
     
    surfasb, Dec 5, 2009
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  11. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Yep, seeing as an external monitor does not work, your hard drive still spins, and the lights blink, I would venture to say that your graphics card is likely the culprit - the Nvidia 8x00 series does have a soldering flaw where they can die prematurely. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do short of a motherboard replacement :(
     
    MidnightSun, Dec 5, 2009
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  12. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    Maybe you can get someone to pity your story. A laptop that went to Antarctica to prove string theory....
     
    surfasb, Dec 5, 2009
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  13. lordmail

    lordmail Notebook Consultant

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    Lmao... Tyvm surfasb maybe I will keep it as a ornament in my house. So that I can always see it. :).
    @midnight sun , thanks for the info ill give it one last go etc for old time sake.
     
    lordmail, Dec 5, 2009
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  14. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    tilleroftheearth, Dec 5, 2009
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  15. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    ya try baking it... no harm done and if it works hurrah!!
     
    sean473, Dec 6, 2009
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  16. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    You should have left it in Antarctica, that would have stopped the GPU from dying.
     
    moral hazard, Dec 6, 2009
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  17. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    HAHA!! LOL.... had a nice laugh! But ya , ur right... some low temp would really help the pathetic solder on this card... stupid NVDIA...
     
    sean473, Dec 7, 2009
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  18. Achri

    Achri Newbie

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    I have the same laptop as you +- whatever you customized it with. What you are describing happened to me two nights ago. Except when you say that pressing the power button shuts off immediately.

    My whole computer works fine except for the screen. When I turn it on and wait, using the finger printer scanner that I set up, loads Windows with the confirmation ding and the Windows loading sound. Also, my Cell phone that I left plugged in actively syncs when windows loads.

    I emailed Sager and told them my issue, and they are pretty sure it's the motherboard/GPU due to the 8600M :/ I took the laptop apart, including the screen, and didn't notice any unplugged wires or broken solder. If you send it to Sager they want a $45 diagnosis fee that I think can go towards the cost of parts/labor if you get something replaced.

    A new graphics card/motherboard though = a new laptop to me, as I refuse to let them keep my money for labor on something I can do. And then on top of that I'm too lazy to want to do this ;)
     
    Achri, Dec 17, 2009
    #18