Intermittent Pixelation on NP9150

Hello,

I bought a NP9150 from Sager about two months ago, and have had no complaints whatsoever until a week or two ago, when my screen started randomly flashing extremely quickly, and displaying very strange pixelation.

It's rather hard to describe, so I attached a picture. Sorry for the terrible quality; I couldn't seem to catch a screenshot while it was distorted (possibly because it's might be a cable issue and not a video/motherboard issue?)

I have had no other problems with it... when not pixelating, I can play Battlefield 3 flawlessly. I have a core temp program, and I haven't noticed any correlation between temp and this issue.

I may have to request an RMA, but I wanted to post here to get any thoughts or advice before I sent my precious off for repair.

 

Does anyone have any idea what might be causing this or how to fix it?

 

Something like that is most likely hardware related vs software. If comfortable try reseating the GPU. You will need to reapply thermal compound when doing this so have some ready.

 

Hi there,

I too bought my NP9150 just recently barely 2 months ago and I noticed after 2 weeks after it had arrived that I had some intermittent flickering on my screen. At first I disregarded it because I thought that perhaps over time the issue would go away but it seems that up to now it still happens.

It isn't a major issue as the flickering often will stop when I try to swing the screen fron and back several times and then the screen is ok again but then after extended use the screen may start flickering again.

Unfortunately, I live overseas in the Philippines and I purchased the unit from xotic and had it shipped to my cargo forwarder in NY who in turn forwarded the cargo to me here. I had to pay a premium for shipping because they had to ship it as a special package where it had to be handled with TLC since it was a laptop. It costs more to ship back to the US than for items to be shipped here via my cargo handler that is why I feel a bit of disappointment over this thing happening with my laptop.

Is there anything that I can check first before considering return shipping (for repair) due to all the hassles and trouble I will likely be experiencing in the process including the fact of the expensive cost for return shipment? I've upgraded my RAM from the stock 8GB - DDR3 1333MHz to a full 32GB - DDR3 1600MHz Dual Channel (Corsair) including my hard drive which was factory downgraded to a 500GB 7200RPM from the stock 750GB 7200RPM as advertised to a 512GB Crucial M4 Series SSD which I upgraded myself. I've got lots of software and data loaded on my SSD drive already which I use for both personal and office work productivity. The original RAM and HD that came with it has now been installed separately on two of my spare, lower-end laptops that are used by my children who have now flown out of the city to a far province of the country.

I could try checking the cable connections for the screen myself however if the problem will still persist later and if I follow the advice here to try reseat the GPU will this be a remedy? My only problem is that I do not have access to (nor can I find locally) that thermal compound mentioned here. I remember when I purchased my laptop from xotic, I opted for the IC Diamond Thermal Compound for both CPU + GPU including additional Copper Cooling Upgrade. Perhaps xotic might be able to ship me a small tube of that IC Diamond 24 Carat Thermal compound which they used?

Need some advise on this.

Jojo M.

 

I would try the cable first, ESPECIALLY if moving the display is causing the issues, you can find videos or guides to remove the display bezel and panel. Also worth checking the connection to the motherboard.

 

@ManilaByNight i replied to your email so do check that.
If you're comfortable doing so check the cable like Meaker mentioned, that is most likely the cause. Sometimes they can get a little loose while shipping especially when going half way around the world. i dont think its the video card itself in your case, just the cable.

 

Yes, video cards going bad usually looks different and causes a bsod.

 

Yes I'll try that and then report back my findings. Luv all of you here! You're all great!

 

Hey guys,

Everything went well and my LCD doesn't flicker anymore after re-seating the cables. I used this as my guide to take the LCD assembly apart:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/679364-guide-how-replace-lcd-panel-clevo-shell-pictures-included.html

Thanks!

 

Good to hear, intermittent problems can often be cabling issues.

 

Thats great its been fixed. Even better you got help from another NBR member

 

That's great that reseating the cable worked! In my experience, any intermittent problems that rear their head only when you pivot the screen are related to that video cable not being properly seated (3/4 of the time). It happens quite a bit; pivoting the screen pulls on that cable a lot.

 

Unfortunately, the "fix" did not last long and the flickering has started all over again. This time it appears to be worse and really annoying.

I went in and checked the flat cable and it appears that the stickiness of the factory tapes are no longer sticky and the thin gold-metal plate on the top of the flat cable appears to be wiggly and loose thus slightly exposing the wires a bit. This is disappointing granting this laptop is practically brand new! Why would a weak or perhaps bad, defective cable been used for a brand new unit? This shouldn't have shown any signs of flickering in the first place and the cable itself specially near the joint connection where there is a narrow strip of gold metal protecting the wire terminals - these should be firm and intact. Not wobbly, soft and appear to be breaking apart.

Where can I get/purchase a replacement flat cable? A brand new one? Also is there any video or photo instruction how to replace the flat cable for the LCD screen? The video I earlier posted here was to show how to replace the LCD screen itself .... NOT the flat cable that connects the LCD screen to the computer. How can I safely disconnect this cable specially since it goes inside the computer passing through the hinge area on the right side?

Please help!

Can I purchase a replacement cable from xoticpc? Or do I get it from Sager or somewhere else? How much would it cost? I'm in the Philippines and I know my laptop which I bought for so much is still under warranty but I wouldn't want to ship this out back to the U.S.A. since that would cost me a small fortune in international shipping and handling expenses.

Please reply ASAP. I need help on this as I am unable to use a computer. In fact, I am currently using a public computer in an internet cafe just to compose this.

Jojo Marababol
Philippines