Dell Vosto 1500 Display Issues - Help Please

[Syd]

Afternoon chaps

I have had my Dell 1500 Vostro for about 2 yrs, for about 6 months it has sat in my cupboard as the display has failed. If connect the laptop to my Dell 24" monitor via VGA the output is fine, however black screen and no display on the laptop panel - the machine I have has a discrete 8800M graphics card. It is out of warranty and I am a little stuck as to what to do. The machine cost me £700 so I'd like to get it sorted!

[Boon72]

i take it it's not somethin simple like the 'function F5' key that's been changed to no output to screen?

[Syd]

No unfortunatley, i tried that when it first failed - but thanks for the thought.

[vinnyT]

Have you opened the case? Maybe the video ribbon connector has come loose, it does happen.

If that doesn't work, and the screen is really dead, have a look on ebay for someone selling your model cheap or for spares (enquire that the screen is working however). It's relatively easy to change a monitor on a laptop.

[Syd]

Thanks VinnyT

I have checked that the ribbon is tight, and it is. It there a definate way to prove that the screen is at fault before I follow your advice, I take it if the video output is working rules out the Video card being faulty................

Also anyone any ideas where you can buy a replacement screen new rather than Ebay?

[vinnyT]

Sorry, I don't know of a way to check if the monitor is dead or not (unless you have access to another laptop, and can try swapping), but the fact that you get an image on an external monitor does point that way.

[Syd]

Understood, will try and source a replacement screen, thanks for your input

[duc]

If it's a black screen and shows no sign of life (no flickering, very dim display) then its probably the inverter that's dead rather than the LCD panel itself.

[Agent]

As above - check for a very faint image (it will look like black unless you really look for it). If you have one, it's most likely an inverter issue.

[Syd]

Thanks, Will look tonight - in a very dark room.

[Agent]

Thanks, Will look tonight - in a very dark room.

You need a very bright room

The TFT output will be very low in terms of light, you won't be able to see it in a darkened room. The CCFL's and LED's behind the TFT is what causes the image to be bright

[Syd]

You need a very bright room

The TFT output will be very low in terms of light, you won't be able to see it in a darkened room. The CCFL's LED's behind the TFT is what causes the image to be bright

[Syd]

Ok,plugged the Lappie in to charge and to have a look (in a very brght room) to see if I could troubleshoot the problem a bit - turned it on and.........................it worked normally

I must have spent around 3-4 days around Christmas mucking about - taking apart - checking everything AND taking it to a local repair company who diagnosed a potential faulty Graphics card. It sits in a drawer for 6 moths and then works straight off - WTF???????? I'm seroiusly confused as to what's going on and now just waiting for it to fall over!!!

[CrazyMonkey]

Take the back of the monitor off and shine a desk lamp through it. If you see a faint image it's either the inverter or CCFL's.

EDIT - Omg, should have read last post. I've had the same wierd problems with alot of kit - try all you can to fix/diagnose it, come back such and such later and it works.

[Syd]

Take the back of the monitor off and shine a desk lamp through it. If you see a faint image it's either the inverter or CCFL's.

EDIT - Omg, should have read last post. I've had the same wierd problems with alot of kit - try all you can to fix/diagnose it, come back such and such later and it works.

Is it Muphy/Sods law in reverse?