Its not bin fodder exactly the same happened to my monitor last week. After checking on the net it appears it is a common problem.
The problem is a transistor failure on the monitors power supply. Finding a replacement part was the big problem but RS can supply an alternative which does the job, it’s a little bigger in size than the original but with a small modification to the power supplies cover they can be fitted.
If you have access to purchasing from RS, soldering and de-soldering kit it can be repaired for about £5.00. Unfortunately I don’t have the part details / numbers with me but if want to have a go let me know and I will post all the details.
Good news to hear you have the opportunity to try this yourself.
RS stock number 348-4372 Description NPN power transistor, D44H8 10A 60V .
The board in my monitor was manufactured by Benq and the faulty transistors were detailed as Q759 Q760 Q739 Q740. My advice is to change all 4 as the only coast £1.48 each. After they have been fitted you will need to mod the power supply cover this is just a small cut out.
Let me know how you get on hopefully this info will help save you some money.
Along the bottom edge you will see some small notches gently use a screwdriver to open the cover, it just clips together, a hand from one of your colleagues would be useful it took 2 of us.
Apparently the lock symbol is if you want to secure the monitor to the desk.
I cut the tops of the new transistors and insulated the case above them, I have powered it up and it shows the no pc attached screen, I will try it on my pc when I get home.
Cheers
Nick
Update
I now have it connected to my pc and it is working fine, I had our electronics "expert" check out the component specs before fitting them, he doesn't foresee any problems, time will tell. Saturday I thought I was going to have to splash out on a new monitor so I am now officially happy!
Glad I found this forum, bit put out with Dells quality though (yes I realise that they dont actually make these monitors)
Yes I agree Dell's monitor quality is suspect, it appears that these monitors have an inherant problem. They should not fail in such short periods of time.(under 2 years) and I urge anyone else unfortunate to experience this problem to give Dell's Support line a hard time.
I did for 20 -30 minutes before I realised I was talking to a robot who could only tell me my warranty had expired and offer absolutely no technical advice as to what could be causing the problem. It was their attitude that made me and my colleagues determined to solve the problem and the only thing I can thank Dell for is the great feeling of satisfaction in solving the problem ourselves.
Hey guys, I'm about to attempt the same repair (the exact same thing has happened to my E172FPb monitor)
I was just curious how you came upon that specific part number for the transistors. I see they do not match up exactly physically (visually) with the originals and I also noticed there was a mod required to the housing after the fix. Is there a way to figure out the original part number at all and if not, have these new transistors proved to work as expected?
Thanks for any further info and the glimmer of hope. I was about to burn it in effigy out of pure frustration!
My monitor is still working so don't be put off trying the repair. You will notice that Nick actually altered the transistor (cut part of it away to make it fit) where I left them as supplied and altered the case.
Altering components is not advisable, the size could be related to heat dissipation.
Rics
10 Posts
0
February 26th, 2006 17:00
Hi Nick,
Its not bin fodder exactly the same happened to my monitor last week. After checking on the net it appears it is a common problem.
The problem is a transistor failure on the monitors power supply. Finding a replacement part was the big problem but RS can supply an alternative which does the job, it’s a little bigger in size than the original but with a small modification to the power supplies cover they can be fitted.
If you have access to purchasing from RS, soldering and de-soldering kit it can be repaired for about £5.00. Unfortunately I don’t have the part details / numbers with me but if want to have a go let me know and I will post all the details.
NickDavy
15 Posts
0
February 27th, 2006 05:00
Rics
Thanks for your reply, the comany I work for has an RS account plus an electronics lab so I should be able to attempt the repair sugested.
I would be gratefull for the part numbers required.
Thanks
Nick
Rics
10 Posts
0
February 27th, 2006 10:00
Nick,
Good news to hear you have the opportunity to try this yourself.
RS stock number 348-4372 Description NPN power transistor, D44H8 10A 60V .
The board in my monitor was manufactured by Benq and the faulty transistors were detailed as Q759 Q760 Q739 Q740. My advice is to change all 4 as the only coast £1.48 each. After they have been fitted you will need to mod the power supply cover this is just a small cut out.
Let me know how you get on hopefully this info will help save you some money.
Best of luck
Rics
NickDavy
15 Posts
0
February 27th, 2006 14:00
Rics
Thanks for the information, I have ordered the parts and hope to give it a go later this week.
I'll let you know how I get on
Regards
Nick
NickDavy
15 Posts
0
February 27th, 2006 15:00
Rics
One more question.
How do you open the case, I assume that the slot with the padlock symbol is some sort of release?
Cheers
NickDavy
15 Posts
0
February 27th, 2006 16:00
Rics
Thanks for your speedy response
Nick
Rics
10 Posts
0
February 27th, 2006 16:00
Nick,
Along the bottom edge you will see some small notches gently use a screwdriver to open the cover, it just clips together, a hand from one of your colleagues would be useful it took 2 of us.
Apparently the lock symbol is if you want to secure the monitor to the desk.
Rics
NickDavy
15 Posts
0
February 28th, 2006 10:00
IT WORKS!!
Thanks Rics
2 transistors had failed (all 4 replaced)
I cut the tops of the new transistors and insulated the case above them, I have powered it up and it shows the no pc attached screen, I will try it on my pc when I get home.
Cheers
Nick
Message Edited by NickDavy on 02-28-2006 11:54 AM
Rics
10 Posts
0
February 28th, 2006 18:00
Nick and anyone else who finds this info of use,
You all owe me a beer.
Yes I agree Dell's monitor quality is suspect, it appears that these monitors have an inherant problem. They should not fail in such short periods of time.(under 2 years) and I urge anyone else unfortunate to experience this problem to give Dell's Support line a hard time.
I did for 20 -30 minutes before I realised I was talking to a robot who could only tell me my warranty had expired and offer absolutely no technical advice as to what could be causing the problem. It was their attitude that made me and my colleagues determined to solve the problem and the only thing I can thank Dell for is the great feeling of satisfaction in solving the problem ourselves.
Regards,
Rics
NickDavy
15 Posts
0
March 1st, 2006 16:00
LG73
5 Posts
0
March 21st, 2006 20:00
Hey guys, I'm about to attempt the same repair (the exact same thing has happened to my E172FPb monitor)
I was just curious how you came upon that specific part number for the transistors. I see they do not match up exactly physically (visually) with the originals and I also noticed there was a mod required to the housing after the fix. Is there a way to figure out the original part number at all and if not, have these new transistors proved to work as expected?
Thanks for any further info and the glimmer of hope. I was about to burn it in effigy out of pure frustration!
Cheers!
NickDavy
15 Posts
0
March 22nd, 2006 15:00
LG73
5 Posts
0
March 22nd, 2006 17:00
Thanks for the head's up. I'll check out the discussion.
What's the significance of November 5th??
Rics
10 Posts
0
March 22nd, 2006 17:00
Hi LG73
My monitor is still working so don't be put off trying the repair. You will notice that Nick actually altered the transistor (cut part of it away to make it fit) where I left them as supplied and altered the case.
Altering components is not advisable, the size could be related to heat dissipation.
NickDavy
15 Posts
0
March 22nd, 2006 19:00