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Inspiron 9200 LCD problem

post #1 of 24
5/22/06 at 10:19pm
Thread Starter 
My Inspiron 9200 has developed a problem with the LCD panel. There is a vertical line, about 1 pixel wide, running from top to botom of the screen. It is visible before Windows fires up and then just stays there. It doesn't move if I change screen resolutions.

I'm thinking this will be an expensive out-of-warranty repair, but I'd like to ask the experts here how I should proceed:

1. Go to Dell for a replacement panel?
2. Go to a third-party like screentekinc.com?
3. Any additional utilities or diagnostics I could try before shelling out for a new panel?

Thanks in advance for any tips
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post #2 of 24
5/23/06 at 5:20am
Sounds like the cabling from the LCD to the videocard could be worn or just loose. Follow the Dell FAQ on how to dismantle just the area of the screen where that cable is and reseat the cable to see if that helps. Feel free to repsond if you have no idea what im talking about.
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post #3 of 24
5/23/06 at 12:03pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks - that'd be nice if it is just the cabling. I've downloaded the 9200 manual and pulling/replacing the screen seems fairly straightforward. I'll have a go at the cabling this weekend; any thoughts on where I'd get a replacement cable?

New panel prices from Dell are 399 or 527 for Ultra Sharp.
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post #4 of 24
5/23/06 at 3:00pm
Again its highly unlikely that its the LCD itself. Im not sure what its called technically but its just considered the cable that connects the LCD to the VGA board which used to be called the flex cable on older machines.
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post #5 of 24
5/23/06 at 5:23pm
I don't know Dell-Machina. A single line getting stuck, or going dead in an LCD is usually indicative of the panel having problems. Those circuit traces on the edges of the panel are quite fragile. However, I would check the cable first anyway. Generally though, a bad LCD flex cable usually affects the entire screen.
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post #6 of 24
5/23/06 at 10:22pm
This seems pretty akin to the flex cable issues on the i8000/8100/8200 doesnt it Evil?
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post #7 of 24
5/24/06 at 2:41am
Thread Starter 

Not the first problem

FWIW, I did have to ship the unit back during warranty - screen was washing out with all kinds of colors - faded, orange/red, etc. I'm color blind but it was still very obvious.

I've read a couple of solutions that advise giving a "screen massage" to try and 'clean' the connectors. No joy yet. I'll start a tear down soon and see if I can get it working by re-seating the cables.

Assuming the worst, any thoughts on a replacement panel? Go to Dell or look to 3rd party?
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post #8 of 24
5/24/06 at 2:40pm
again I feel the panel may not totally be the culprit here but if it id your looking at a 300-400 dolalrs investment. With this kind of money look for an outlet 9400 would be better suited since your getting a whole system rather than one screen which typically runs for 800-900. If its the part Im thinking is th eproblem then you'll only need the lcd panel assembly which couldnt run for more than 30-50 dollars.
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post #9 of 24
5/24/06 at 2:54pm
Thread Starter 

9400?

So, DM, you meant the 9400 would be 800-900 through outlet? Where do you find such deals?

I'd still like to make the existing one work (it's a 2.0Ghz Centrino w/ 1GB RAM, 80GB 7200, and the Radeon 9700). Has the spec got much better in the year-and-a-half since I got this?
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post #10 of 24
5/24/06 at 3:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DELL-Machina
This seems pretty akin to the flex cable issues on the i8000/8100/8200 doesnt it Evil?

Not really, the issues I've seen on the c8x0 series regarding the flex cable have usually affected the entire panel. Not just a single line. The panel will wash out red or blue or something when the flex cable goes. Like I said though, it wouldn't hurt to go ahead and replace the cable since it's the cheaper part.
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post #11 of 24
5/24/06 at 5:01pm
My 9200 has an issue where the bottom third is "washed out" when it comes on from standby. If I adjust or tap the screen, it corrects itself.
I'm convinced, -with a bit of wishful hope, that it's a cable problem.
From what I have read, it sounds like clanwill's problem may be more serious.
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post #12 of 24
5/24/06 at 5:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by clanwill4
So, DM, you meant the 9400 would be 800-900 through outlet? Where do you find such deals? I'd still like to make the existing one work (it's a 2.0Ghz Centrino w/ 1GB RAM, 80GB 7200, and the Radeon 9700). Has the spec got much better in the year-and-a-half since I got this?
It really only takes about 5 minutes or less to get the LCD hinge cover off and look at this cable and reseat it. I would do that ASAP and see what happens before you decide to buy something else or replace the panel. Those were nice specs for an i9200. Really the technology hasnt changed drastically yet. The MR9700 video card is outdated now but still much much better than any of the integrated video solutions out there. I would repair the current laptop if you can find the parts cheap enough.
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post #13 of 24
5/24/06 at 5:43pm
Thread Starter 
I agree, Frontierdriver2, it would be worth repairing. I'll open it up tonight. I was just hoping that I could lay my hands on a new cable before I mess with the old one. If I open it up and reseat the cable, and there's no improvement, I still don't know if it's the cable or not. If I had a new cable on-hand I could eliminate all the cheap possibilities in one swoop.

I think I'm looking for: ASSEMBLY, CABLE, COAXIAL, LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY, 17, SULLIVAN/GILBERT

Still, even if I replace w/ Dell screen at $400, it's cheaper than a new notebook. Although you can argue that a 1,000 bucks to get a new screen AND new processor/Memory/disk does make some kind of sense (buying through Dell outlet).
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post #14 of 24
5/24/06 at 10:04pm
I've seen the cables on Ebay.
Usually sold from the UK.
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post #15 of 24
5/24/06 at 10:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by clanwill4
Although you can argue that a 1,000 bucks to get a new screen AND new processor/Memory/disk does make some kind of sense (buying through Dell outlet).
although you could almost get a new notebook for that
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post #16 of 24
5/24/06 at 10:56pm
The other idea is to possibly look for a cheap i9200 or i9300 on ebay and you'd easily be able to repair your current notebook assuming you just needed a screen w/the cable, or live with the problem and hook up an external monitor. It's so rediculous to have to buy a whole new notebook for such a small problem.

After reading about these LCD problems, im glad I bought the extended warranty.
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post #17 of 24
5/26/06 at 2:30pm
Thread Starter 
Well, wire-wiggling and reseating the old cable didn't do anything. I found a cable at a place called parts-people. I guess it's worth $30 to try and replace the cable.

Looking at Dell outlet I see some core duo 1.83 going from 900 - 1300, but they don't list a video card - did Dell downgrade to Intel Integrated on the later 9400/1705 notebooks?

Hate to give up on the existing notebook, but at $400 a new screen may drive me to a purchase.
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post #18 of 24
5/26/06 at 7:35pm
clanwill, can you do us a favor & post some pics of the back of the LCD where the cable goes in?
I'd love to be armed with a visual on what to expect before I go cracking my laptop open for surgery.
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post #19 of 24
5/26/06 at 8:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychokitty
clanwill, can you do us a favor & post some pics of the back of the LCD where the cable goes in?
I'd love to be armed with a visual on what to expect before I go cracking my laptop open for surgery.

I could give it a try - you know you can get the full disassembly / assembly manuals here:

http://support.dell.com/support/syst...=12&~subcat=86

They show pics and all.
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post #20 of 24
5/27/06 at 2:37am
Thread Starter 

Upgrading?

So PsychoKitty, why the interest in the teardown piccies? Are you thinking of upgrading your WXGA+ to a WUXGA or something? If so, could I buy your old screenie from you???? You wouldn't need it and I could help you get that new lcd panel you want...

I won't have the new cable until late next week, so I still don't know if I need a new panel. I suspect I do.

Panel replacement is pretty easy, from what I've seen.
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