Sony VPC-EC2M1E - Screen Issues / Upgrade

Hi.

I have a VPC-EC2M1E for which (I think) I need a new LED Screen as the current one, doesn't light up even after I bridged the fuse on the motherboard.

My question is, is it really a LED issue or can it be a GPU issue?

Symptoms:
Original 17.3" Screen - Display is shown normally but with no backlight
Smaller 10.1" Screen - Display is multiplied by 4 with correct backlight
Another 15.4" Screen - Display is also multiplied by 4 with correct backlight.

If it is indeed a Screen issue, Can I upgrade to a Full HD Panel instead of a WXGA++ (1600x900) ?

 

Seems as though it might be an issue with you screen. Did you verify that you had a blown fuse with a multimeter or did just bridge it anyway? How did this happen? I think I had told someone else or you on another post to check if there are blown fuses on the PCB on the back of the screen because there are at least 2 fuses there also? Do you get video when plugged to an external monitor?

You need to purchase the correct screen for your laptop ie. the one it came with, also make sure that the new screen is compatible or for Sony otherwise you could purchase the wrong screen even though it might be the same size and resolution.

For example not all 15.6" LED will work on Vaio because Sony uses specific 15.5" screens even though both are made by LG and have same part # but one will work on Sony since it has the Sony firmware flashed on the PCB of the screen the other won't.

So check the part # and brand on the back of the screen and order the correct screen from a reputable company ie. I think one of these is your screen, also make sure you select whether it is matte or glossy, selecting the wrong one will leave you with a blank screen. Sony's are quite picky on screens from my experiences.

<<<< https://www.laptopscreen.com/English/model/Sony/VAIO~SVE17137CXB/ >>>> Screen for Sony VAIO SVE17137CXB. Replacement Laptop LCD Screens

Technically you can upgrade the screen so long as the graphics card on the motherboard supports the resolution of the new screen and also the firmware on the graphics chip or bios allows you to and recognizes the new screen. This is a risk you'll have to take, right now you're better off isolating the problem of your non-working screen or possible damage to your graphics card before delving into more problems with compatibility and incompatibility.

Good Luck

 

Hi.

Yes, that was me. I am unable to find any fuses on the back of my current LED screen. The screen is a Chungwa CLAA173UA01A and also has AD0HBGKB 311 01650614U LBD on the sticker.

I've uploaded pics of the PCB for the screen. If you could tell me more or less what to check, it'd be most appreciated.

Photos are here: xeon3d's uploaded images - Imgur

 

They are usually marked with an F on the board of the screen - should be at least two one next to the data connector and another further in the board.
I cannot look at your pictures as they are private.

Please can you clarify if you ever had this machine working? If so i'd say yes you need a new screen - if not you may have the DIP switches underneath the keyboard set incorrectly - this particular model needs the DIP switches set correctly for the type of screen connected. You could set the switches to give you a perfect picture on the 10.1 screen you plugged in but the setting for a 17.3 is different. You can use any 17.3 LED screen although i'd tend to recommend to stick with the LG panels as they are more reliable - if you go for a higher resolution it may not work as you may need a different DIP switch setting and screen cable.

 

First of all, many thanks for your valuable input.

The pictures are now public and I can't for the life of me find anything with a F, even the one on the motherboard had a H instead, but there's not even one with a H on the LED Screen Board. Can you please point me to a manual or something where the dip switches are explained? I tried to find the service manual for the VPC-EC series on sony's documentation website but I could not find the one for the VPC-EC. Just for the VPC-EB.

Again, if you could have another look at the pictures, It'd be most appreciated.

 

Was the screen replaced in your laptop before? Because Sony usually uses LG or high quality screens. The fuses my be hidden under the label as was the case in my damaged LG 15.5", had to pull back the bar-coded label to see the fuses. Also sorry my connection is too slow, so I didn't get to look at all your pictures. Search on google "smd fuse", "smd f fuse" to get an idea for what you're looking for!

I doubt the service manual will explain the dip switches. As I said before and simonmpoulton stated you're better of buying the correct screen or fixing this one if it is a simple matter of a blown fuse. Why create more issues, your new screen costs like $80 buy an LG screen and you'll be good to go.

Good Luck

 

There is an F401 on the second picture of the screen - that is most definitely one of the fuses. Also on the fifth picture along there is a fuse at the left end of the row of components. As for the DIP switch positions there is no manual only Sony know how they should be set. You still didnt answer the question as to whether you ever had this system working properly - if you did there's no need to mess around with the DIP switches.

 

Hah funny thing, I had just found F401 before I came here to check the topic, but after testing F401 and F101 (the one on the 5th photo) with a multimeter (set to the option where it beeps if both ends touch. I'm not sure if that's the continuity one or even if it's the proper one but I think so). And it beeped, so I'm guessing they're all ok.

Also, answering the previous question. Yes, the system functioned before as this is the original screen. Also when it lost backlight, I noticed that if I bent the screen a little bit on the middle, I'd have it back. Dunno if that helped or not.

EDIT: I bridged both fuses and still no backlight.

 

Most definitely the backlight or the backlight circuitry has burned out then and a new screen should fix it.