It is the screen that is faulty, and while replacing it isn't that difficult, the cost of a new screen will be $500+.
Even a used screen will run you $200-300, with no guarantee it's not near the end of its lifespan.
It will still be cheaper to have your existing panel repaired than to replace it, even with a used one. Unless you have a surface mount soldering jig and experience with board-level soldering through multilayer PC boards, leave the repair to a pro.
Replacing the LCD panel is expensive (for a new one) or risky (for a used one). Contact an LCD repair specialist - chances are the panel can be repaired for $150 or less (vs. $500+ for a new one).
Like in the earlier posts, you can get a LCD from ebay or where ever, but how long has it been used? If all you want is to get another year or so out of it then go for it. Sounds to me that money is an issue. So a $100 LCD would fit your bill. But most ebay sellers don't give refunds if you mess it up.
Those prices are in the range of what a repair would cost.
Basically, you're in the same situation you'd be if your washing machine suddnely needed a motor. You can either have the existing system repaired, or go and buy a used washer from the want ads.
Reputable repair shops will guarantee their work for at least 90 days-6 months.
If your current screen is in good shape, I'd repair it. You have no way of knowing whether the used panels have defective pixels, or have been used 24X7 and therefore may soon require a backlight.
One other note: make sure the used screen includes the inverter. If it doesn't and it's not the same make and model as your existing screen, you'll then have to go find an inverter -- they're not interchangeable between makes of screen.
New LCD's are offered fairly frequently on eBay in addition to the more common used pulls. They usually sell for 50% to 100% more than the used ones, but not every time! If you can live with the external monitor for a while it might be worth a patient look at eBay, checking every 4-5 hours for new buy it now offers in your budget.
melyss
3 Posts
0
June 8th, 2005 20:00
hmm
these are looking pretty good to me and they are b/w $109-$175:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6774560353&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6775024472&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
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June 8th, 2005 20:00
Even a used screen will run you $200-300, with no guarantee it's not near the end of its lifespan.
It will still be cheaper to have your existing panel repaired than to replace it, even with a used one. Unless you have a surface mount soldering jig and experience with board-level soldering through multilayer PC boards, leave the repair to a pro.
melyss
3 Posts
0
June 8th, 2005 20:00
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
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June 8th, 2005 20:00
Mutato192
2 Posts
0
June 8th, 2005 21:00
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
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June 8th, 2005 21:00
Basically, you're in the same situation you'd be if your washing machine suddnely needed a motor. You can either have the existing system repaired, or go and buy a used washer from the want ads.
Reputable repair shops will guarantee their work for at least 90 days-6 months.
If your current screen is in good shape, I'd repair it. You have no way of knowing whether the used panels have defective pixels, or have been used 24X7 and therefore may soon require a backlight.
One other note: make sure the used screen includes the inverter. If it doesn't and it's not the same make and model as your existing screen, you'll then have to go find an inverter -- they're not interchangeable between makes of screen.
Message Edited by ejn63 on 06-08-2005 06:17 PM
funtoupgrade
2 Intern
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937 Posts
0
June 9th, 2005 00:00
New LCD's are offered fairly frequently on eBay in addition to the more common used pulls. They usually sell for 50% to 100% more than the used ones, but not every time! If you can live with the external monitor for a while it might be worth a patient look at eBay, checking every 4-5 hours for new buy it now offers in your budget.