Dell Inspirion 1520 keeps blanking

[StarmanCD]

The laptop screen randomly goes black without warning but the processor is still working and the windows process as normal. I can see a darkened image running when the screen blacks out. I can connect the laptop to an external monitor and the image displays on the external screen, when returning to the laptop screen the screen returns to normal. Alternatively, I can close the lid and allow the laptop to go to 'lock' mode and open again after a couple of minutes & the sign-on screen appears. There doesn't seem to be any pattern and occurs randomly, sometimes staying on for hours, but mostly blacking out after several minutes.

 

It seems to be the backlight, but I'm not certain & Dell haven't been much help as to if I can get a replacement backlight component, or even if that is the problem.

 

On another investigation someone claimed it was a problem with the registry being corrupted by malicious software from facebook, but wanted me to take out a years maintenance at $240 to repair this. Could this be a plausible explanation?

 

The laptop is running Vista Home Premium.

 

Any clues anyone?? Any help would be appreciated on this.

[Jelly Bean]

Hello.

 

If it is infected then we have a security team here who will fix this for free.

 

Click start/All Programs/Accessories/right click on command prompt and choose run as admin.In command prompt window type sfc /scannow and hit enter let sfc /scannow run.

 

Possibly backlight issue.

 

Possibly you need a graphics card driver update.

 

Others will input I am sure and help further.

[Dalo Harkin]

It can only be the screen, if its ok when connected to an external monitor, the backlight can go, but its often a loose connection from the ribbon that connects the screen to the MOBO, its not an easy fix unless you know what you are doing.

 

If its covered by DELL then get it done, if not your looking £100+ for a new screen

[StarmanCD]

Another possibility

 

Thanks Jelly & Dalo, I'll try those suggestions & let you know what the outcome was, but it's also been suggested to me that the 'invertor' could be gone, but I don't know what that is, I thought it was something in the PSU, but the PSU's working fine as the external monitor & CPU are still functional & the screen comes back with the right coaxing.

[monkeyboy]

Hi starman.

 

The inverter basically powers the bulbs, which in turn light the screen up. I've only had one experience at replacing one, and to be honest, I hope it's the last. It's not the expense, it's just getting to the old one to swap it with the new. It's do-able, but it's a bugger.

[StarmanCD]

Thanks,

 

Monkeyboy, but when I spoke to Dell their guy said "it doesn't have an 'inverter'.." but he could be talking ****. Any idea if the spec of the laptop is available anywhere. I'd be great to check that, then I can throw it in their face. I gotta go out, but I'll brb in an hour. Thanks.

 

Starman

[Jelly Bean]

Does this happen when your running off only the battery or while running on your AC adaptor?

 

Bad LCD inverters are one of the most common reasons for laptop LCD failure. Your laptop's LCD inverter is a small circuit board built into your LCD screen. The inverter board gives power to your LCD's backlight, which allows you to view images, graphics and videos on your LCD screen. If the inverter board starts to go bad, your LCD screen may appear to be dim or it may go completely black.

 

Shut down your laptop and disconnect the power cable and any external peripheral devices. Close the LCD screen, place the laptop face down and remove the battery pack from the bottom casing of the laptop.

 

Flip the computer over with the top side of the laptop facing upward. Open the LCD screen, then use a flat head screwdriver to remove the rubber screw covers from the front panel of the LCD screen assembly. There are five screw covers--two along the top edge of the front panel and three along the bottom edge of the panel.

 

Use a small Phillips screwdriver to remove the five exposed screws from the front panel of the LCD screen. Grasp the outer edges of the front panel and remove the front panel from the LCD assembly

 

Locate the inverter board along the bottom edge of the LCD assembly. Disconnect the cables from each end of the inverter board. Lift the inverter board out of the LCD assembly and store it in a static-free plastic bag.

 

Place the new LCD inverter board in the place of the old board. Connect the inverter cables to each end of the new inverter board.

 

Replace the front panel of the LCD assembly, the five retaining screws and their rubber screw covers.

 

Close the LCD screen, then place the laptop face down. Place the battery pack back inside of its compartment. Place the laptop face up and reconnect the power cable and peripheral devices. Turn on the laptop to test the new inverter board.

 

I DO NOT reccomend anyone stripping down a laptop or its screen unless you know exactly what you are doing.You could possibly cause more damage.

[monkeyboy]

Just Google 'Dell Inspirion 1520 inverter' and see for yourself. They're available from the usual suspects, ebay etc, and aren't that expensive. It would appear that the Dell guy was talking, ahem, four stars.

 

It's located centre-bottom of your screen, just under the casing. But as I've said, it's damned tricky and unless your 100% confident, I'd get someone in. Just not Dell.

[StarmanCD]

More information

 

When the LCD is on the left side of the screen looks dimmer, about a third of the screen, than the rest of it, which gets slightly brighter to the right edge, if that's an indicator of anything. The lower edge of the screen is also showing a slight shadowiness. Also when the screen darkens it can happen without the laptop being moved or touched in any way, and moving it about or tapping the screen or lower case doesn't reactivate the screen, only closing the lid, waiting for the account to 'lockout' and then reopening the lid. How can I test to see if it's the Converter, according to Dell in this laptop (does the same thing), or the backlight lamp unit. Should I change both if it comes to taking it apart? or is it looking like a failing LCD as well due to the shadows and dim lighting, is it worth trying one thing at a time than changing the whole LCD kit as Dell suggest, but that's nearly £290 cost!!

[monkeyboy]

Personally speaking, I'd go straight for the inverter. You won't, or shouldn't, pay more than £15 for one and then either way, you can rule it out. Not sure what Dell mean by 'converter' though?

 

I would imagine the symptoms you describe could be associated with either the inverter or back-light bulbs, or both, but process of elimination would answer that question.

 

As I said, it's what I would do personally. And if you follow Jelly Beans excellent guide, I've no doubt you'd do a sterling job.