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    Sony VAIO - VGN - N395E - Display issue

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by iceman2112, Sep 19, 2010.

  1. iceman2112

    iceman2112 Newbie

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    Hello,
    I own a Vaio VGN - N395E laptop. The adapter's wiring got short circuited and the display went dead.
    The notebook boots up but there is no display.
    I have a limited knowledge on the hardware so please excuse me on that.
    Is the display card mounted on the motherboard or it is a part of it.
    Do I need to replace the whole mother board or can I just get the display card?
    Please guide,.
    Thanks
    Ice
     
  2. H.A.L. 9000

    H.A.L. 9000 Occam's Chainsaw

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    If this is your notebook, then the video card is the Intel GMA950 and it cannot be replaced without replacing the motherboard. When you hold a flashlight to the screen when the laptop is on, can you see anything picture wise? Sometimes the backlight inverter will fail causing the backlight behind the LCD to not light up.
     
  3. iceman2112

    iceman2112 Newbie

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    Thanks for guiding my H.A.L. 9000. I will try that later today. But in case if there is an issue with the back light then what is the process to repair it? and how much it will cost me?
    Also what is the cost of replacing the mother board.
    Please guide.
    Thank You
    Ice
     
  4. iceman2112

    iceman2112 Newbie

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    I was able to connect the laptop to the TV. The display seems to be fine. I think there is some issue with the back light inverter.
     
  5. H.A.L. 9000

    H.A.L. 9000 Occam's Chainsaw

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    The inverter wouldn't cause total picture failure, only the backlight would fail. Since you can see external output, that means your video card is fine, and so is your motherboard. Another possibility, taking the age of the notebook into account, is that the backlight might have gone out. Your notebook uses a CCFL backlight, which isn't much different than your compact flouresent bulbs in light fixtures. CCFL = Cold Cathode Florescent Light, and they have an expected lifetime rating.

    If the inverter has failed or the backlight has gone out, then shining a flashlight at the screen while the notebook is on and not plugged in to a TV or external monitor, you should see a picture on the notebook's LCD. If you hold the flashlight to it, and don't see an image of some kind, then it's possible that your display cable has come loose from the motherboard, or something else entirely. It all depends on whether you can see something on the screen with a flashlight.