Seeking laptop advice:

[lastlib]

I have a Dell Latitude D610 laptop w/ WinXP(refurbished) that I've had for almost five years. Never any problem with it. This morning I turned it on, and the desktop screen came up for a few seconds, then flicked off. Restarted, multiple times--same thing. Screen OK for maybe four or five seconds, then it blanks out. Hmmm-video card problem? monitor problem? I connected a desktop monitor to it, and that worked fine; I could work "normally" with it. So it has to be the screen itself. I have no clue what could have caused this outage, with the possible exception of "old age".

I want to tap the collective genius of DU to learn what my options are here. Is repair by installing another screen a viable option? Or am I better off going another route, e.g., new machine (not sure I can afford that right now, I'm unemployed), or something else? Is a screen repair DIY-able? (I'm no stranger to work inside a desktop machine, but never tinkered with a laptop) Or is it best taking it to a repair shop?

Looking forward to receiving the wisdom of the Oracles of DU!

[Fridays Child]

1. Shine a flashlight onto the dark screen.

Can you just barely see your desktop background? If so, it means that the backlight on the monitor is going out. This happened to my five-year old Dell laptop, so I think that's the lifespan of those backlights. To repair it, they simply swap out the monitor. The cost of replacing it wasn't much less than a new laptop with comparable features. I went with the new laptop.

[PrestonLocke]

3. Yes

If you're willing to do it yourself the screens usually run $50-$100 depending on the model.

However, if the backlight does come on, just replacing the screen may not be the solution. It's the power supply for the backlight, not the light itself. Some laptops have the monitor and the backlight power supply as one unit, some do not.

[NYC_SKP]

4. Stellar advice, Fridays Child!

How have you been?

[Fridays Child]

7. Busy, busy, but good!

And you?

[NYC_SKP]

9. On the road a lot!

I was able to meet up with two DU Moderator friends last Thursday in Chicago, classic lovely women, they are!

Bucket list, meet them all!

[lastlib]

11. Thanks! I was not aware of this possibility!

I'll check into that!

[lastlib]

13. I think you're onto it here!

I tried it, and could faintly see what was on the screen. So I'll try to replace the screen and c-whuthappins! Thanks a ton!!

[Fridays Child]

14. I have a feeling a lot of Dells do this after five years, or so.

Oh, well. By computer standards, I guess five years makes them antiques, right?

Glad I could help.

[lastlib]

15. yeah--I'm into dinosaurs (haven't had a brand-new computer since Win 3.1!)

(current desktop is 7 yrs old.....but I'm thinking about building a new one!)

[PrestonLocke]

2. Sounds like the inverter board is going out

the part is probably replaceable, but will require you to at the least take apart the screen and bezel.

[Denzil_DC]

16. The inverter would be my first thought, too.

It should be possible to get a new one for about $20.

Replacing the inverter isn't a big job compared to other things that can go wrong with a laptop (I've done it myself). It's got to be worth a try before replacing anything more expensive.

[lastlib]

22. I think you and Denzil_DC are on it--I ordered one

for a bit over $11.00; $16 w/ shipping. Whole lot cheaper than a new screen. I should have it soon. Thanks for the input--both of you!

[PrestonLocke]

26. Good deal!

& Good luck!

[Gore1FL]

5. Another trick is to hook it up to a monitor, (if available).

In all honesty, I'd take advantage of when you have a working screen to make backups of you data to external media. If it is on it's last legs, it's probably worth less than the repair costs.

[lastlib]

8. I did that....

(See OP. Once I got to where I could work "normally", I started backing up files like my life depended on it! (it does! ) I can't afford to lose some of the data I've accumulated.)

[Sedona]

6. I replaced two laptop screens myself.

both on Dells. I'm notoriously stupid when it comes to stuff like this. I have zero spatial intelligence but I did it.

I got materials from laptopscreen.com


Watch the video a few times before starting and make sure you have a place to put the itty bitty screws so you don't lose them.

I used the little screw driver that comes in the repair kit for glasses.

[lastlib]

10. Thanks! Very helpful!!

Looks like something I could probably do (but VERY CAREFULLY!)

[gvstn]

12. I'm curious

If you hit F2 during the Dell screen to enter BIOS and leave it there for a few minutes does the screen still shut off in the same time frame?

[lastlib]

18. the screen isn't lighting at all now.....

But I was able to work about three hours on it last night, via the other monitor, without any problem. So I'm leaning more and more toward the inverter or the backlight. I think I'm going to first try replacing the inverter board and see if that fixes it.

Thanks for your advice--I really appreciate it!!

[Denzil_DC]

17. Just to reiterate from above in the thread

I'd suspect the inverter is going rather than the LCD lamps themselves. Is the screen light at all dim or yellow when it's working? If not, it points away from the lamps being the problem. (It might also be worth considering what gvstn's asking you above - I think he's trying to establish it's not a software/power saving issue).

The procedure for replacing the inverter is as in the YouTube above of replacing the screen, except you stop once the inverter's accessible, unclip its lead, undo a couple of screws, then install the new one. Here's a YouTube of how to do it on the D620, which should be broadly similar.

I easily found inverter boards for your laptop for $12.50 +p&p online at eBay and Amazon. (ETA: I just found one for $6 +p&p, so you'd need to shop around and not pay exhorbitant p&p.)

One good thing about Dell is that they publish online step-by-step guides on how to dismantle and replace parts for all their laptops. Here's the one for your model: ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_laptop/esuprt_latitude_laptop/latitude-d610_service%20manual_en-us.pdf

If it ends up not being the inverter, at least you'll have had a dry run for replacing the LCD. I've found replacement screens for your model for as low as around $30 - not as much as some feared elsewhere on this thread. Here's an example of an eBay search: http://www.ebay.com/bhp/dell-latitude-d610-screen

[lastlib]

19. thanks--you may have saved me some precious cash! (and a mistake!)

I was about to order a new screen, but then read the later posts here, including yours. From what I'm hearing, the inverter may very well be the problem critter here, so I think I'm going to try that fix first.

Mucho Thanko--your expertise has been most valuable and appreciated!!

[Denzil_DC]

20. You're welcome.

I've replaced laptop screens and inverters, among other things, on Dell Inspirons (1300 and 6400) so post again if you have problems or questions.

I always hate the thought of these possibly non-faulty parts being ditched if a fix may be available, not to mention the unnecessary expense. The only problem I've encountered in working on the screens is getting the lid to clip back together neatly (popping the bezel to start work can be a bit nervewracking as you have to flex it a bit - but even if you bust it, they're real cheap to replace).

[lastlib]

23. (you're sure right about that bezel!)

took me quite a while to get up the nerve to force it loose--it just seemed so flimsy! (and probably is) And those little rubber knobs over the screws were a major PITA!

(Hope I can get it all back together again!)

[Denzil_DC]

24. Yeah, you can probably tell that I've been there a few times!

The main trick is not to have too many mystery screws left over after you put the thing back together again.

Hope it's going OK. Since you've worked on desktop computers before, you've no doubt got a good head start, but everything's a lot more cramped in a laptop, and you have to carry out certain operations in the order set out in the instructions.

Any problems I might be able to help with, just holler. I really hope it ends up being just the inverter. Good luck!

[CK_John]

21. Here is a video to replace the monitor on dell 610

d610 uTube replace monitor(starts with a plug for about 1min).

[Denzil_DC]

25. That's a helpful video.

But she gets one tech detail wrong.

She says the ribbon cable supplies power to the LCD, and the inverter is responsible for supplying data. It's actually the other way round (which is why a couple of us have been suggesting trying the inverter replacement first).

[Denzil_DC]

27. Just wanted to ask how you got on

if you decided to install that new inverter.

[lastlib]

28. Hi, thnks for asking! I installed it.....

(no screws left over unaccounted for! Had one from the old inverter, but new one had one with it.)

...getting same result--screen comes on for a few seconds, then blinks out. Still faintly visible with flashlight. Now looking to replace the whole backlight. If that doesn't work, will probably try a whole new laptop. (there are tons of these for sale on eBay at affordable prices.)

Any wisdom you have for me?

[Denzil_DC]

29. Oh well, it was worth a try

(replacing the inverter as the first step in troubleshooting this sort of problem is what most techs would recommend).

Wisdom? Heh, not really.

My only observations at this stage are: (1) if you buy a new LCD/backlight assembly and install it and that doesn't solve the problem, this isn't the only place on the Web where folks offer advice, and you may have more luck asking about it elsewhere (such as the Dell forums or Tomshardware), having eliminated those two possibilities (I'd be stumped at that point, though there's a chance somebody else here might have further ideas), (2) if it does then work, it was worth replacing the inverter anyway as they can wear out and it'll have saved you possibly having to install a new one at a later date, and (3) if none of this works it wouldn't be a total loss as the inverter and LCD would have resale value, which would at least recoup some of your outlay to put toward a new laptop (if you're willing to spend the time parting out the rest of the laptop, you could do quite well selling spares from it online -there's a ready market on eBay for that sort of thing, for instance - or just sell the whole caboodle for spares/repair).

[lastlib]

30. update--I got it working!

I had to buy a new screen, but once I got it installed, it works like a charm! Thank you for your guidance on this--I do okay twiddling with desktop machines, but have never done surgery on a laptop. It is rather intimidating for a guy who only does spreadsheets for a living, but thanks to you and a few others, I got through it with a full complement of hair!

[Denzil_DC]

31. YAY!

Glad it worked out.