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January 28th, 2013 15:00
Display or LCD Panel problem with Vostro 3450, please help.
I volunteered to help with my church's music director's laptop, which is a Vostro 3450.
When presented to me, the laptop would not boot up fully. On startup, I would get an 8-beep error code and there was nothing on the display. I hook up an external monitor via vga port. Shutting the laptop lid would transfer the video signal to the external monitor, which displayed the dell bootup splash screen, but there was no progress to bootup and the laptop was unresponsive. Also, the 8-beep error code continued to sound annoyingly and endlessly.
I reseating the LCD panel cable connector and the symptom stayed the same. I looked for signs of dropping or abuse and found none. I ordered a replacment LCD panel and installed it. I did not come across any difficultly in replacing the screen and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
After replacing the LCD panel based on the part number on the original panel, the laptop will now boot up fully and is completely functional via VGA connected monitor... but the LCD panel is still giving me a problem. The backlight seems to be on, but the screen seems to be gray/black and has no response. sometimes there are thick, uneven vertical bars on the screen which are a lighter shade of gray. There are no error codes associated with this new symptom. After looking into a few things, I reinstalled the original LCD panel and the original symptom returns.
I contacted the seller of the panel. They sent me another new panel, and the symptom stays the same. Laptop boots up fully, but the screen is gray.
One interesting thing is that if I switch the display to show via VGA and AND the LCD panel, the lcd panel still has a dead grayish screen, but now it seems to be dots, almost like it's displayed in poor resolution. Also, the external monitor has poor image quality, but I'm attributing that to the 4:3 monitor getting a wide-screen signal.
I can't seem to find which diagnostic path to go down. Do I blame it on the motherboard? Do I take the laptop further apart and look for cable damage? Do I just give up and advise the church they need to invest in a replacement?
I'd hugely appreciate any ideas or suggestions on what my next steps for discovery should be,
Thank you
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DELL-Nikhil D1
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January 29th, 2013 00:00
Hi twobits9,
If the LCD has extremely dim video, adjust the brightness or connect an AC adapter to eliminate a power management conservation setting in the BIOS.
If the problem persists, please run LCD BIST (Built In Self-Test) to check the LCD screen of the laptop.
While running this test, the LCD is operating on its own, free of the video controller which may be discrete (a video card) or onboard (on the system board). The test allows you to tell an LCD panel problem from a problem with the controller. If the colors are displayed across the screen without a problem then the issue lies outside of the LCD.
Press and hold “D” key and power on the system and release both the keys (D + Power button) to initiate LCD BIST.
Check if different colors are displayed on the screen, check if the thick uneven vertical line is displayed during the LCD BIST, if the colors are not displayed then the problem is with the LCD screen.
Please try the above steps and post back.
twobits9
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January 29th, 2013 08:00
Hi Nikhil. Thank you for the helpful response.
Below are the results of running through your suggested procedures.
The LCD panel backlight responds to brightness adjustments, but there still is no picture on the panel.
My options in my BIOS settings are very limited, and there are no such options.
The BIST test passed!!! In that the colors are displayed. So it looks like the replacement panel is not the problem.
Is it safe to assume the cable is good then?
What is my next step to diagnose the source of the problem? Do you think we are looking at a system board replacement?
I used the service tag to check the original configuration, but I can't tell if it is equipped with a discrete or onboard video controller based on that information.
Thank you again. I look forward to your response.
DELL-Nikhil D1
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January 30th, 2013 06:00
Hi twobits9,
In this case it could be the problem with the motherboard , which needs to be replaced.
The cables and the LCD screen are good.
In case the system has active warranty, please private message the system service tag, contact number and registered owner’s name.
To private message, click on my user name, click Start conversation and click start conversation.
To check the Warranty status use this link: http://tinyurl.com/5r4b8j
I can provide you the right part # for the system mother board or video card only by checking the system configuration with the service tag.
Or please contact Dell out of warranty team for purchasing the right motherboard or video card.
Dell out of warranty contact # 800-288-4410.
Please reply for further help.
twobits9
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January 30th, 2013 15:00
Okay, Nikhil
I just sent you a PM. I look forward to your response.
Thank you for you help. It is much appreciated.
Mike
DELL-Nikhil D1
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January 31st, 2013 05:00
Hi Mike,
I checked the warranty status of the computer, as the warranty of the system is inactive, you need to purchase the parts, here are the part# VPGMW for the motherboard. The system utilizes onboard video card graphics, so there is no separate part# for that.
twobits9
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January 31st, 2013 21:00
I meant to say, " variations of the part number for that motherboard."
twobits9
5 Posts
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January 31st, 2013 21:00
I don't see that on dell's website anywhere, which I kind of expected. Looking elsewhere, I was kind of surprised at the limited availability of the motherboard. Are there variations of that motherboard, or do you have a suggestion on where to purchase?
Thank you again for all your help. It is much appreciated.
Mike
DELL-Nikhil D1
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February 2nd, 2013 05:00
Hi Mike,
Yes there are two different types of motherboards that support this computer. UMA (Unified memory Architecture) motherboard, Discrete motherboard.
UMA would have using it's chipset as the GPU and Discrete is when the motherboard has a separate GPU.
I checked the system specifications with the service tag you have provided me, and found that your system had a UMA motherboard in it.
You can call dell out of contact # 800-288-4410 to purchase the part or please refer this links to purchase: http://bit.ly/WHzSpv , http://bit.ly/11sIMhj
Kindly reply for any further help.