XPS 15 (L502x) Screen Flicker

Question

My L502x screen has been flickering for a couple of days. This issue came seemingly out of nowhere. One day it was working fine and the next day I turn it on and the colors are all distorted. Seems to me like a hardware issue or a loose connection... I don't know what would have caused that.

Notes:

I'm running Windows 7 Pro 64bit.

Problem:

Color is greatly distorted and xy data is somewhat distorted similar to this youtube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX5gkrCv8DI

Details:

1. After the laptop is warmed up, the problem goes away but returns after being powered down for a period of time (hours).

2. Upon boot, the problem is intermittent for about 15 minutes or so.

3. I've plugged in an external monitor via the HDMI connector and the external monitor works fine while the LCD is flickering all crazy like in the youtube video.

4. Seems like there could be a power issue; i.e. when I plug in the laptop, the issue resolves itself faster. This could be purely coincidence, though.

Number 3 is a huge clue... This, to me, suggests that the drivers and graphics card are all fine. It kind of hints to me that there is an on board problem with the LCD connecting ribbon cable or possibly a MOBO problem.

I will run the LCD BIST tonight, but I feel like it will past the BIST because this problem is intermittent.

Please let me know if there are any suggestions for resolving this problem. The laptop is fairly new and I would obviously like this problem resolved asap.

Thanks!

2LTJames · Accepted Answer

For anyone with Dell XPS screen flicker as I have previously described, here's how I fixed it:

This came to a head when the screen's colors and display was so bad that I couldn't see anything on the screen, and it would never go away. I decided that the most likely problem to cause these issues is a hardware connection issue. So I tore apart my laptop and re-seated the proper connectors and now I've got no issues.

1. I completely disassembled the laptop (REMOVE POWER AND BATTERY... Use your brain!)

Make sure you've grounded yourself so you don't zap any on-board ICs. If you don't know what this means, you probably shouldn't be taking apart electronics (research ESD).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goVrdbWoOnA

2. I found the LCD connectors and unplugged them. Be very careful when taking apart the LCD and removing the frame.
http:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHT0IuyGYHY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHT0IuyGYHY" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHT0IuyGYHY

3. Make sure the connectors were clear of dust and plug them back in.

4. Reassembled the laptop.

I'm going to guess that Dell frowns upon users taking apart their own laptops. It was way better than sending this thing to Dell and then getting a bill for a simple loose connector issue!

I haven't had LCD problems since. YouTube and ingenuity does wonders. If anyone has similar LCD problems and needs help with one of the steps above, message me or reply to this post.

Good luck!

Felipe P Silva · Answer

Hey James,I have a same XPS and I trying to use an external monitor in out HDMI, but I can't.I know this notebook have a two video cards. My NVidia detects the second monitor (NVIDIA control panel - see image here in portuguese), but nothing happened. One video is configured in Intel card and other in NVidia... You have disabled the Intel card? You did an extra configuration?Thanks.

DELL-Ravi Ch · Answer

Hi 2LTJames,Please run the LCD BIST if LCD BIST runs good then the display seems to be fine. You are getting the display on the monitor from the computer so the video card is also fine. It should be an issue with the LCD assembly cable or the port on the motherboard where the LCD cable gets connected.Depending on the warranty status we can help you further, please use the link below to check the warranty status.http://dell.to/18r60nIPlease punch in the system service tag or express service code. In case your system warranty has expired please contact the Out of Warranty department 1-800-288-4410 (U.S.Customer only). In case your system is under warranty please send me the system service tag or express service code through a private chat, so that I can help you further. Click on my username select send private message and send me the details.

Felipe P Silva · Answer

Can anyone help me?

2LTJames · Answer

No I didn't disable the card. I didn't use Nvidia's control panel to hook up an external monitor, I just used the windows display options in Control Panel. Right click on the Desktop, click Screen Resolution and then you should see the options to choose which display is the main display etc.

You could also use this hotkey: Windows Key and "P" (as in projector).

Does that help?

Felipe P Silva · Answer

Not.  =/Doing this procedure the configuration is the same as it should be, but no image. My mouse moves by a supposed monitor, though I do not see it.The monitor works with other devices. Any other suggestions?

Felipe P Silva · Answer

Well, I'll answer if anyone has the same problem.
I had bought a fake cable, without some sort of converter box.
Probably, the seller doesn't know how this technology works (me too, so far).
This link helped me about this: http://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/1315-fake-hdmi-to-vga-adapters-scam
I believe that the XPS doesn't have problem with HDMI output.
So, I bought a converter Mini DisplayPort to VGA (I don't found a converter HDMI-VGA to buy) and works perfectly.
Now, just fun!
Thanks for all

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XPS 15 (L502x) Screen Flicker

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