LCD Screen Goes Black

If you still have the warranty, then they should replace the entire computer with a new one.  I would call them a thousand times.  My guess is that by the third or fourth day they will give you a new one.  You paid for a new computer, you didn't pay for a refurb.

Hi there, I have exactly the same problem. My laptop is a Dell inspiron 8100 with a 15in Super XGA+ LCD. My LCD goes bad days ago. The problem is as following. After I turn on my Laptop, the LCD display is good as usual. But after one minute or so, it turns dark. Actually Windows desktop is still displayed, but dim very much. If I use a extra light source, such as dest lamp, shinning on my LCD screen, then I can read everything on windows desktop much better. If I push Dell function keys Fn+F8(ctrl/LCD), the LCD display can return back to usual good display status for 30 senconds or so, then it go back the dim status.

I am just wondering my bulbs goes bad or "lcd inverter" gone bust. I guess its bulbs.

Anyone can give me some advices?

I have a similar problem with my Inspiron 8100.  After 18 months, started dingy colored (whites not as white ect.), then flickering once in a while, then the symptoms you describe, finally completely black.    I thought it died because I hooked up an external CRT monitor, maybe because of elecromagnetic waves or whatever.  When separating the LCD from the CRT did not work, I had no choice but to hook back up to the CRT and use it to see whats on the screen.  I wish I had some answers.  No more warranty.

I've heard talk of backlights going out, and the debate as whether to replace the LCD or just the backlight.  I've heard talk of downloading and installing supposedly better video drivers.  I even heard (from the moderator) something about installing a monitor driver before hooking up an external CRT, but I have no links for that.  It's all very confusing and frustrating. 

JohnnyK

JohnnyK80:

Please see my response to your previous post regarding this issue.

Hi guys,

 How about from now on we count how many laptops have the same problem? So we can let Dell know it's worthy to help us on this backlight issue ($20 for a new backlight,but Dell charge $669 for replacing the whole LCD screen). Otherwise, Dell will lose those costumers.

Message Edited by mzh on 07-14-2003 12:16 PM

I have exactly the same problem with my 8100.  I figured it was a bulb.  I've been hooked up to an external monitor for several months now.  Was hoping someone here had already tried replacing theirs. 

Muffy

Rance, thanks for the reply.  Your reply is included at the bottom here. I've started with e-mail, but have not gotten a reply. 

I agree the CRT addition/LCD failure was a coincidence.  I conclude that LCDs, regardless of model (I have Inspiron 8100) go out after a number of operation hours, just like a light bulb. 

This is humorous in light of Dell's latest commercials about how well, how many hours they test each computer.   It's also ironic how Michael Dell got his start by repairing computers in his dorm room.  It appears there's an opportunity here for someone else to make plenty of money repairing Dell laptop screens.  

Stories all over this forum, including this thread, about Dell's screen servicing do not inspire confidence.

In regards Dells habit of exchanging the entire screen for big bucks, I have this to say.  I worked in a computer leasing company where we did our own maintanance and repairs as part of the lease agreement (this was in 1987 mind you).  We would have problems with motherboards, or CRTs.  The object is to keep the customer up and running. So motherboads and parts known to work (hopefully) were shipped FED EX to the field techs. Then the actual defective part was troubleshooted and repaired and tested (or not) by the parts department.  The troubleshooters and the testers/rebuilders were two different departments.  The troubleshooters are the smart guys. The rebuilders can easily be off the streets with a hasty training period.

 I suspect Dell is operating the same way...and as far as I know, Dell is contracting with IBM to do the actual diagnosis/repair work.   This would explain why Dell does not actually seem to understand what is really wrong.  The picture I get is that screens from various makes and models are being taken apart by troubleshooters at IBM.  IBM guys in another department get these screens...the same guys that diagnose and rebuild.  These guys aren't gonna take a screen apart, there gonna replace it with whatever is available at the time, and get it back out da door.  This explains why people get screens back that are not even the same exact kind they had (ie. Ultra Sharp vs Non Ultra Sharp).  Now if IBM is doing good business repairing Dells computers, I doubt they are fully sharing their accumulated repair knowlege base with Dell and it's techs.  This insures Dell still needs them.  To the extent that Dell might be trying to do some of their own diagnosis and repair work without that knowlege  base, this would explain the hit and miss methodology (hit Fn + F8, download/install new driver, replace video card, reinstall OS, reseat plugs, tap on certain areas of computer, replace entire screen).  Dell is probably not authorized to actually repair screens, hence total lack of instruction on replacing backlights and or inverters. 

This might explain why there are not many definitive answers here regarding this screen black out mystery thing.   The most definitive I've seen come from guys who rolled up their sleeves got in and got their hands dirty actually replacing some backlight bulb or harness or inverter or all of the above...with parts from obscure dealers as far away as England.  These brave, having damned the dilema which makes them choose between fixing their computers or voiding warranties. 

Let's reason this out.  If the backlight is basically a flourescent tube, it's eventually going to burn out!  And have you ever seen a flourescent tube burn out?  I've seen many that just go dim, dingy, flicker, go off and on.   If you tap them, sure, they might turn on breifly/temporarily.  Eventually they go black.   It can be gradual, and it's not exactly the same for each burning out tube.  Sometimes it has something to do with something like the "ballast".  Think about this, and then think about all of the symptoms described in this thread, and in at least one thread on almost every page in this forum category.  The backlights are obviously the weakest link in the system.  So why are we downloading drivers and replacing video cards and reinstalling OS's? Bulbs burn out!  Go there first, not last.  

But it is not easy to go there first. Since the replacement of these bulbs has not been made convenient and/or modulated, I can see how it would be embarrasing or threatening to a seller like Dell.   How can Dell advise a customer to open the guts of his/her computer screen? Because of warranty conflicts,  knowlege base conflicts, and possibly contractual contracts with IBM, this may not be easy.  Gotta hand it to Rance for doing his best as they tie his hands. 

Rance, I would like to call these hotlines.  But what would they know that you don't?  Or why haven't they told you what the solution  is so you can put it in your FAQ? This scenario is certainly frequent enough to warrant it.  

At the least, it would be nice to see parts for sale (or where to find parts) and screen dissembly instructions for those of us with 8100's.

This has been done to some degree by self-diagnosing/repairing customers posting here or there.  It would be good to see this info confirmed, acknowleged or supported in the FAQ. 

JohnnyK80

Rance wrote:

JohnnyK80:

I have no idea whether or not connecting an external CRT monitor to the system was the cause, but since it happened "soon after" and not "immediately after" I am inclined to think that it was just a coincidence. To have service arranged, you can, 1) contact our Mobile Computing Hotline at 800-822-8965 for Corporate/Government Accounts or at 800-247-9252 for Direct accounts; or 2) you can email mobile_support@dell.com If you do choose to email, make certain to include a brief description of your issue, with your service tag and the troubleshooting steps you have followed.

JohnnyK80:

It's true that faulty backlights seem to be the most common cause of LCD failure. Dell replaces but does not repair LCDs. We recommend replacing the LCD rather than attempting to replace the backlight itself. While some customers have claimed success with purchasing and installing a replacement LCD backlight from 3rd party source, this is a fairly risky procedure and usually requires some soldering experience.

I agree that it would be nice and probably save Dell a bit of money if we did our own LCD backlight replacements, and this may be an option in the future, but for now we can only replace the entire LCD.

The contact information I gave you was not to further troubleshoot the problem, but rather, to arrange for service of the system to have the LCD replaced.

If they'll give you a refurbished system, just swap out hard drives.  The HD won't know the difference and you're data will be there when you boot.