How to troubleshoot and fix laptop video problems

Here are some tips and tricks for troubleshooting and fixing laptop video problems. Video issues are very common within portable computers and with the following tips you should be able to detect and eliminate basic laptop video problems.

Laptop LCD screen has a faint image.

Look at the LCD screen very closely and check if you can see a faint image on the screen. It’s possible that the LCD lid close switch stuck in the “closed” position and the backlight stays off even when you open the LCD screen or turn on the laptop. The switch turns off the backlight when you close the LCD display to save the laptop battery power. Check the LCD lid close switch. Usually it is a small plastic pin located close to the LCD hinges. Try to tap on the switch a few times to turn on the backlight. If after tapping on the LCD lid close switch the backlight stays on, you fixed the problem.
It is also possible that after tapping on the LCD lid close switch the backlight works fine, you see a normal video on the screen for some time and then the backlight turns itself off again. In this case I would blame the FL inverter board. Try to reseat cables on both end of the FL inverter to make a better contact between the cables and the FL inverter board. If it doesn’t help I would try to replace the FL inverter board.

Laptop LCD screen is solid white color.

Most likely it is just a bad connection between the LCD display and the system board. I would try reseating the video cable connector on the back of the LCD screen first and check if it fixes the problem. After that I would try reseating the video cable connector on the system board. I would also try reseating cables if there is no video on the LCD screen at all.

The video on the LCD screen is garbled.

Try to connect the LCD screen to an external monitor. If the external video is fine, you have a problem with the LCD screen or the LCD video cable. You can try to fix the problem by reseating the video cable on the back of the LCD and on the system board.
If you see the same garbled video output on the external monitor most likely it is not the LCD screen problem. In this case the system board (with onboard video) is bad or the video card is bad.

I understand that these tips will not cover all video problems with portable computers. If you have a different problem, you are welcome to leave a comment and I will try to help you if I can.

Are you looking for a new LCD screen for you laptop? Try searching here.

Here’s a notebook display assembly diagram and tips for finding spare notebook parts.

                          by laptoprepair101

Laptop screen shows strange colors. What could be wrong?

Laptop screen started showing strange or wrong colors. What could be wrong? I’ve been asked this question many times and today I’m addressing the issue.

In this post I explain some basic troubleshooting techniques in case if your laptop screen started showing strange or incorrect colors.
You have to know how to disassemble the laptop in order to use following troubleshooting techniques.

TEST LAPTOP WITH EXTERNAL MONITOR.

The main step is testing how laptop outputs video on an external monitor (or TV).
You can connect your laptop to an external monitor using VGA cable, DVI cable, HDMI cable or S-Video cable, it depends on a type of connector you have on the laptop. Most laptops have VGA connector, so it would be the most common way to connect.
In my example I’m connecting to an external monitor via VGA connector.

Some laptops detect external monitor automatically and start showing image on both screens right from startup.
Other laptops can detect the monitor but display image only on one screen (internal or external). In this case you’ll have to switch video between internal and external using the Fn key and one of the F* keys in the top row of the keyboard. This combination varies for different laptop brands, for example it’s Fn+F5 for Toshiba, Fn+F4 for HP, Fn+F8 for Dell, Fn+F7 Lenovo etc…

WHAT VIDEO ON EXTERNAL MONITOR CAN TELL?

If both, the internal screen and external monitor (or TV) show strange or incorrect colors or any other image distortion, this is the graphics card failure.
If only the laptop screen shows strange colors or any other distortion but external image appears to be normal (as in my example), the problem is somewhere inside the laptop display. It could be bad connection, bad LCD cable or bad LCD screen.
Let’s narrow down the problem one by one.

TRY RESEATING LCD CABLE CONNECTOR ON MOTHERBOARD.

The laptop screen receives data signal from the motherboard via LCD cable. If the LCD cable not making good connection with the motherboard, it might cause image or color distortion on the screen. Try reseating the LCD cable connector and see if it fixes the problem. Make sure the LCD cable connector plugged correctly.
In most laptops the LCD cable connector located under the keyboard bezel (aka keyboard cover). If it’s not there, most likely you’ll find it somewhere under the keyboard.

WIGGLE THE LCD CABLE.

The LCD cable runs inside the laptop display, under the LCD screen. For this test it’s necessary to disassemble the display, so you can access the cable.
A pinched or damaged wire inside the LCD cable also can cause color distortion.

Try wiggling the LCD cable while the laptop is running. If wiggling the LCD cable affects image on the screen in any way (it starts shown different colors, lines, or image clears to normal, etc…) most likely the LCD cable is defective and has to be replaced. Try replacing the cable.
On the other hand, if wiggling the cable doesn’t affect image on the screen at all, most likely the cable is good and your problem related to the LCD screen failure. In this case you’ll have to replace the LCD screen.

APPLY SOME PRESSURE TO THE DISPLAY.

Try applying some reasonable pressure to the top part of the display assembly. Squeeze it with your fingers.

If the screen starts showing different colors, lines, or clears to normal when you squeeze the top part of the display panel, most likely this is LCD screen failure. In this case you’ll have to replace the LCD screen.

Why laptop runs hot and turns off or freezes?

My laptop runs very hot and eventually turns off or freezes – this is one of the most common complaints I have been receiving from my customer for many years. Why it’s happening? Is there an easy fix for that?
Most likely this problem is heat related. Take a look at the following picture.

Any laptop has a cooling module which consists of heatsink and cooling fan. When laptop is working, the processor (CPU) heats up and because of that the heatsink is getting hot too. At some temperature level, the fan kicks in and cools down the heatsink.
The problem starts when the laptop cooling module collects too much dust inside. Usually dust collects between the fan and heatsink. Dust clogs the heatsink and kills normal airflow inside the cooling module. Eventually, the processor gets very hot and the laptop turns off unexpectedly or freezes. This problem can be fixed by cleaning the laptop cooling module.

Cleaning laptop cooling module.

Some laptops give you an easy access to the heatsink and fan. In laptops like that you can access the cooling module through the bottom cover.

In my example I had to remove the cooling module. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to remove the fan and access the heatsink. In some laptops you can remove the fan without separating the heatsink from the CPU.
After I removed the fan, I found a thick layer of dust inside the heatsink. Cleaning the heatsink should fix any heat related problems.

Apply thermal paste on the processor.

If thermal paste on the processor dried out, you should replace it with fresh thermal paste.

Remove old thermal paste from the processor and heatsink using alcohol swab.
WARNING: In some laptops the heatsink also covers the graphics chip. The part of the heatsink which covers the graphics chip might have thermal pad on it instead of regular thermal paste. Do not replace thermal pad with thermal paste! Do not apply thermal paste on the thermal pad! Just leave thermal pad alone and apply thermal paste only on the processor.
I usually use Shin-Etsu thermal paste which is relatively cheap and performs well.

After applying new thermal paste, install the heatsink and fan back into the laptop. Do not forget to connect the fan cable to the motherboard!

What if cooling module cannot be accessed easily?

In some laptops the cooling module is buried deep inside the case and cannot be easily accessed and removed. In order to remove the cooling module it’s necessary to disassemble the whole laptop but it’s only for experienced users.
In laptops like that you can use the following technique:

Buy a can of computer compressed air.
1. Blow air into the fan grill on the bottom of the laptop.
2. Blow air into the grill on the side of the laptop.
Switch direction a few times until all dust is gone. Most likely this quick cleaning will fix your laptop overheating problem.

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        by laptoprepair

How to replace LCD screen in LG XNote laptop

 

In this post I explain how to remove and replace damaged LCD screen in a LG XNote laptop.
Also, this guide can help you to access and replace the screen inverter board.
I’m taking apart a LG XNote S210 laptop but I think this guide will fit many other models in the XNote line.
Please mention the laptop model number in comments below if it works for you.

Make sure the laptop is turned off and the battery removed.
STEP 1.
You’ll find four screw covers on the LCD screen bezel.
There are two black covers in the top left and right corners and two silver covers in the bottom left and right corners.

You can remove all covers with a sharp object.
On the following picture I’m removing one of the top covers.

On the next picture I’m removing one of the bottom covers.

You can glue screw covers somewhere on the bezel so they don’t get lost.
When all covers removed, remove four screws securing the screen bezel.
STEP 2.
Insert your fingers between the bezel and LCD screen and start separating the bezel.

STEP 3.
Continue removing the bezel.

STEP 4.
The screen bezel has been removed.

STEP 5.
Now you can access the screen inverter board located below the screen.
The inverter board works as a power supply for the backlight lamp inside the LCD screen.
If your LCD screen suddenly has become very dark but you still can see a very faint image, most likely the problem is related to the inverter board.

There are two cables connected to the inverter board.
On the left side the inverter board connected to the video cable.
On the right side the inverter board connected to the screen backlight lamp.

STEP 6.
Separate inverter board from the display cover and disconnect the left cable (LCD backlight lamp).

STEP 7.
There are four screws securing the LCD screen to the hinge brackets. Two screws on the left side and two more on the right.
Remove screws from both sides of the screen.

STEP 8.
Disconnect the webcam cable.

STEP 9.
Now you should be able to separate the LCD screen assembly from the display cover.
Place LCD screen face down on the keyboard.

STEP 10.
Remove sticky tape securing the video cable to the LCD screen.

STEP 11.
Disconnect video cable from the LCD screen.

STEP 12.
Now you can remove and replace the LCD screen.
If you need a new screen for your LG XNote laptop you can find it here. Just search by the laptop model number or screen model number.
In my laptop the LCD screen has the following model number: LTD121EXVV.


                                               by insidemylaptop

Taking apart Acer Aspire 5517 laptop

 

In this guide I’ll be taking apart an Acer Aspire 5517 laptop.
I’ll show hot to remove hard drive, memory, DVD drive, wireless card and keyboard.
Most likely this guide will work for some other Acer Aspire laptops. If it works for you, please mention the laptop model number in comments below.
Before you start, make sure the laptop is turned off and battery removed.
STEP 1.
Laptop memory and hard drive can be easily accessed thought covers on the bottom of the laptop.
Remove screws and remove both covers.

STEP 2.
In order to disconnect the hard drive from the motherboard, slide it to the shown direction.
After that lift up and remove the hard drive from the laptop.

STEP 3.
If you are replacing the hard drive, you’ll have to transfer the mounting caddy to the new drive.
Simply remove four screws securing the caddy (two screws on each side) and transfer the caddy to the new hard drive.
Acer Asprire 5517 uses a regular 2.5″ SATA notebook hard drive.
Any large capacity 2.5″ SATA hard drive should work fine in this laptop.

STEP 4.
Both memory modules accessible though the cover on the bottom.
In order to remove the memory module, carefully spread latches on both sides and when the memory module pops up at a 30 degree angle, pull it from the slot.
Acer Aspire 5517 laptop can handle up to 4GB memory total. It means you can install up to 2GB memory module in each slot.
Memory used: PC2-5300 DDR2-667 200pin SDRAM SODIMM.

STEP 5.
There is only one screw securing the DVD drive. This screw located under the memory cover.
Remove one screw securing the DVD drive and pull the drive from the laptop.
Need a new replacement DVD drive for Acer Aspire 5517? Search here.

STEP 6.
The wireless card also located under the memory cover.

In order to remove the wireless card you’ll have to disconnect the antenna cables first.
After both antenna cable disconnected, you remove two screws securing the wireless card and pull the wireless card from the slot.

REMOVING AND REPLACING LAPTOP KEYBOARD.

If you would like to remove and replace the keyboard, you don’t have to go though all previous steps. You can start right from the following step. There are no screws securing the keyboard at all.
STEP 7.
Carefully lift up the power button cover with a sharp object as it shown on the following picture.
Continue removing the cover with your fingers.

STEP 8.
The power button cover removed.

STEP 9.
Now you can start removing the keyboard.
Work slowly. Under the keyboard there is a cable connected to the motherboard.

STEP 10.
Carefully lift up the top side of the keyboard.

STEP 11.
Continue removing the keyboard.

STEP 12.
Turn the keyboard upside down so you can access the cable connector.
In order to remove the cable, you’ll have to unlock the connector first.
BE VERY CAREFUL with the keyboard connector. If you break it, the keyboard will not work.

STEP 13.
On the following picture the keyboard connector shown in the locked position.
To unlock the keyboard, you’ll have to move the brown piece about 1-2 millimeters to the shown direction.
The brown piece MUST stay attached to the white base. Do not apply to much force. Unlock the connector very slowly with your fingernails.

STEP 14.
On the following picture the connector shown in the unlocked position.
You see, the brown piece still attached to the white base.
Now you can pull the keyboard cable from the connector.

STEP 15.
Finally, remove the laptop keyboard and replace it with a new one.
New replacement keyboards for Acer Aspire 5517 laptops available here.

                                                        by insidemylaptop

How to replace LCD screen in Sony Vaio NW series laptop

 

In this guide I show how to remove and replace LCD screen on a Sony Vaio VGN-NW series laptop.
I’m replacing LCD screen on a Sony Vaio VGN-NW235F laptop. It also says model PCG-7184L on the bottom.
Before you start, make sure the laptop is turned off and battery removed.
STEP 1.
There are four white screw covers on the screen bezel.
Remove all four covers. Remove four screws located under those covers.

The screw cover has a sticky bottom. You can remove it with a sharp object.

STEP 2.
Start separating screen bezel from the display cover.
You can use a guitar pick or old credit card to separate the bezel. Continue removing it with your fingers.

STEP 3.
After you separated bezel on the top of the display assembly, move to the bottom side.
Remove screen bezel from the laptop.

STEP 4.
Sony Vaio VGN-NW235F laptop has a regular CCFL backlight LCD screen with inverter board.
The inverter board mounted below the screen.

Carefully separate inverter board from the display cover and disconnect cables on both ends.
Remove the inverter board.

STEP 5.
Remove four screws securing display hinges.

STEP 6.
Separate LCD screen from the display cover and place it face down on the keyboard.

STEP 7.
Now you can access the LCD cable.

STEP 8.
Disconnect video cable from the connector on the screen.

STEP 9.
Now you can remove the LCD screen assembly from the laptop.

By the way, the web camera is not a part of the screen. It’s a separate module mounted on the top of the display cover.

STEP 10.
When you replace the LCD screen, you’ll have to remove both screen mounting brackets and transfer them to the new screen.
In order to remove the bracket, simply remove four screws and separate bracket from the screen.

You can search for a new replacement screen using the model number from the original screen.
My Sony Vaio VGN-NW235F laptop had the following 15.6″ LCD screen installed: B156XW01.
You can find new replacement LCD screen here. If you have a different screen installed, just search by the model number.