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How do I bypass screen shutoff?

post #1 of 13
12/22/08 at 11:12am
Thread Starter 
I have a dell inspiron 1300. Lately the screen has been blacking out randomly or when the screen is tilted - system still up and running, just the screen going out.

When you close the lid and open it back up, the screen will become active again. Same goes for if you hotkey it to standby and back up - screen's back for a short amount of time.

This leads me to believe there is an issue with the mechanism that shuts the monitor off when one closes the lid.

I thought I remembered seeing a cmd line for disabling that mechanism in a forum, but can't find it now that I need it (of course).

Can anyone give me a little help?

Thanks very much,
-Brian
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post #2 of 13
12/25/08 at 2:26pm
Sounded like a loose connection or a failing lcd (backlights, inverter). Plug in an external monitor and see.

cheers ...
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post #3 of 13
12/26/08 at 12:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
Sounded like a loose connection or a failing lcd (backlights, inverter). Plug in an external monitor and see.

cheers ...
Normally I'd totally agree and plug an s-video in...but this is a small business model and only has the VGA out and I don't have a VGA cord.

Might anyone have the command prompt code to just simply bypass the code that forces the screen to shut off on laptop screen close?

Thanks again,
-Brian
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post #4 of 13
12/26/08 at 2:38pm
When the laptop closes, there is a physical switch/tab by the screen frame. Review that area, something might be stuck. The only "software" command is in the power scheme (do nothing when lid close) that I am aware off.

cheers ...
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post #5 of 13
12/26/08 at 4:53pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
When the laptop closes, there is a physical switch/tab by the screen frame. Review that area, something might be stuck. The only "software" command is in the power scheme (do nothing when lid close) that I am aware off.

cheers ...
This model of Dell does not have a physical tab or button or what have you to control that aspect. Might have to do with the fact that it's a small business model.

The "do nothing when lid close" simply pertains to stand by and hibernate and the like. The screen still turns off when closed regardless of the power settings.

-Brian
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post #6 of 13
12/28/08 at 2:02am
The Inspiron 1300, if I remember correctly, uses a magnetic reed switch to detect opening and closing of the lid. They're pretty reliable switches and generally don't fail unless the user happens to have one of those snakeoil magnetic bracelets.

More than likely your problem is the LCD backlight inverter. The inverter will heat up and then shutdown once the thermocouple trips then once deactivated it resets and fires up again. Inverters for the B130/1300 run about $20.
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post #7 of 13
12/28/08 at 11:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrEvil View Post
The Inspiron 1300, if I remember correctly, uses a magnetic reed switch to detect opening and closing of the lid. They're pretty reliable switches and generally don't fail unless the user happens to have one of those snakeoil magnetic bracelets.

More than likely your problem is the LCD backlight inverter. The inverter will heat up and then shutdown once the thermocouple trips then once deactivated it resets and fires up again. Inverters for the B130/1300 run about $20.
I think you've actually hit the nail on the head. This morning I was fiddling with it in a room with an overhead light and realized that the LCD wasn't actually shutting off - just the backlight - leaving a faint outline of the screen.

That being said, I don't have the equipment or technical expertise to do anything involving soldering. Any idea how much I should have to pay someone to replace the backlight inverter without being taken advantage of?

Thanks again for all your help,
-Brian
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post #8 of 13
12/29/08 at 1:37am
Most (if not all) inverter replacements involve only snap out and snap on the connectors - no soldering being involved. You can access the inverter just by removing the lcd. Use this as reference

http://www.lcds4less.com/laptop-lcd-...ructions.shtml

cheers ...
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post #9 of 13
12/30/08 at 10:11am
Indeed, the inverter is held on by only a few screws and has disconnect terminals on it. No soldering neccessary.
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post #10 of 13
1/28/09 at 6:38pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrEvil View Post
Indeed, the inverter is held on by only a few screws and has disconnect terminals on it. No soldering neccessary.
I've made a discovery. I ordered and installed my new backlight inverter and it's doing exactly the same thing. When it stays on for a second (which is not dependable at all) moving the angle of the screen makes it flicker for about a tenth of a second and goes out.

***BUT***

When I disconnect the power supply and let it run off batteries - no problem at all! Full backlight, full tilt on the screen, no issues.

So now I'm really stumped.

Thanks for your help as always,
-Brian
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post #11 of 13
1/29/09 at 3:11am
Got another power brick handy? It could have something to do with it.
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post #12 of 13
6/7/11 at 7:52pm

ok i have a ? replaced the inverter does the same the works for a second and goes out put a magnet over it and comes back for a second then goes in stand by mode do the magnet again comes out of stand by and works for a second its a inspiron 6000 any idea

 

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post #13 of 13
6/18/11 at 7:47pm

I'm thinking of battery issues and may be connection ribbon from your motherboard to the lcd.

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