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8890 Display issue

post #1 of 6
6/12/05 at 6:45pm
Thread Starter 
I have an 8890 (well actually it's a Prostar D8P but it's the same thing). It's got the 16" screen with the 1400 by 1050 resolution.

So today my screen keeps going black. The screen stays on 5 - 10 seconds usually. I have to keep toggling that little white button in the top right corner by the power button. This begins happening as soon as the laptop is powered on, even before the OS loads, regardless of power options.

It's not an issue with the button itself, because the screen works fine when the machine is running on batteries, BUT the touchpad or mouse cursor will go haywire after a few minutes.

I haven't ruled out the possibility of a bios issue, though I doubt it.

I connected an external CRT monitor and it works fine. So I don't think it's the GPU, maybe an isuue with the LCD itself.

Does anyone have an opinion?

I'll reformat and re-install the OS. After that it's back to the manufacturer.
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post #2 of 6
6/18/05 at 5:45pm
Thread Starter 
Definitely not a software issue, thought it might be the lid driver. The LCD is not bad - even after the screen goes dark I can still 'see' whats on the screen. If it was bad I wouldn't see anything. I've turned it on a couple of times and it's worked fine - until the lid is moved. It's probably the inverter and/or the backlight of the LCD and a loose connection, or maybe something that needs replacement.

I understand this is a fairly common problem with laptops because of the movement of the lid.

I really don't want to send my laptop away. I'll see if I can find a reputable place locally but I doubt these parts are that easily available.
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post #3 of 6
6/18/05 at 6:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Franco
It's probably the inverter and/or the backlight of the LCD and a loose connection, or maybe something that needs replacement.
Agreed. Could be either the inverter board, or the backlight.

As the inverter board is relatively inexpensive (in comparison to the LCD itself), you might try replacing it first.

Good luck.
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post #4 of 6
5/22/06 at 8:04pm
My 8890 (16" LCD) just started having the exact same issue a week ago. The LCD won't stay on for more than 5-10 seconds, but comes back on everytime you hid the lid switch. Any idea on what to do before I call for warranty work (starting to think my paying for a 3 year warranty was worth it).

Thanks!
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post #5 of 6
5/27/06 at 5:08am
Probably the Invertor, mine did the same before it died.
(using an external monitor atm)

BTW, how would you test a invertor to be certan it is the problem?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ActuaryTm
As the inverter board is relatively inexpensive (in comparison to the LCD itself), you might try replacing it first.
You call $99 Inexpensive? (cheapest I can find) LINK

What did you pay? & Where?
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post #6 of 6
6/10/06 at 1:47pm
Replaced my inverter board (didn't want to deal with warranty unless I had to), and so far it seems to be working. LCD is at 100% brightness and has stayed on now for an hour (with the old inverter board it would shut off in less than 5 seconds). It does start up with only red colors, but switches to normal after a minute or two. Not sure if that is indicative of another problem.

Replacing the inverter was quite simple, and I wish I hadn't followed all of the instructions in the service manual (which has you remove the back panel under the laptop - which is completely unnecessary) - removing the battery and then the LCD cover is all you need to do.

Fingers crossed that my 8890 will last another 2 years or so, or completely die before Feb 2007 when the warranty is up.
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