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    Screen flickering when the lid is open and titled back and forth

    Discussion in 'HP' started by Anovice, Feb 13, 2013.

  1. Anovice

    Anovice Newbie

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    I have a 3-4 year old HPG50-126NR laptop. The p/n on the back of the laptop is NP534UA. It has Windows Vista Home Basic, 32-bit, with Service Pack 2. When I purchased it, the cost was $300.

    When I open the lid (screen) to the upright position and then adjust the lid (tilt back or forth) , I get flickering and horizontal lines on the screen. When the lid is open and not adjusted (titled back or toward the keyboard), I can use the laptop all day with no flickering.

    I Googled this issue and this problem seems to be with certain model HP Pavilion's and Compaq Presario's (and maybe other models). I understand the problem is the "LCD video flex cable". It is shorting by wear of opening and closing the lid. Sooner or later it will short out completely.

    I called HP parts regarding the cable and they indicated the part number is 486583-001 and that it cost $39.12 plus tax and shipping (HP called it a "display cable"). There is a local computer repair place that will install it for $50. That said, I am reluctant to put approximately $100 into a 3-4 year old laptop that was almost entry level even when bought. Also, today, with somewhat better specifications, I see laptops on sale for approximately the same price. However, the part number that HP gave me is for a G50 with a webcam. My G50 does not have a webcam, so I am not certain if HP gave me a correct part number for the video flex cable.

    I have a few questions.

    First, based on your experience with the G50 (and it's history) does it sound like the video flex cable going bad (I can use the laptop all day without any flickering so long as I do not adjust the lid)?

    Second, I see on Ebay or Amazon that new video cables for HP Pavilion's and Compaq Presario's are available in the $10-$15 range. However, there seems to be a number of different cables (or it just looks that way since I have no idea what I am looking at) and I do not know which is the one for my laptop. If I could purchase one for $10 or $15, which will put my total cost for repair at $60 or $65, that would be more digestible. Do you know the correct part number and where the cable can be purchased other than from HP?

    Thanks much.

    Anovice
     
    Anovice, Feb 13, 2013
    #1