Laptop screen broken, how bad (picture)

inferno · 16 Feb 2009 at 10:53

Droped my laptop on my bed and this happened! Does this look like it can be easily repaired by a man in a computer shop ( I live outside of the UK) or will I need to send it back to dell. The webcam at the top of the sreen works fine, i just have these lines down it and the 2 screens in one look.

Thanks

linktoinsanity · 16 Feb 2009 at 11:41

Probably a faulty inverter at a guess. If it is in warranty then sending it to a repair shop will most likely void it anyway, so if possible contact DELL about a repair.

beermonster · 16 Feb 2009 at 14:58

The inverter just powers the backlight so thats fine, as your screen is lit, the lcd cable mayj ust have come adrift causing a scrambled signal or it could have damaged the screens delicate pcb, any decent computer shop can repair this or you could do it your self with a screen from the bay. I would try reseating if first though, you have to take the screen assembly apart to do this.

da_ging · 16 Feb 2009 at 15:16

does anything change if you twist and bend the screen? if yes then it's the screen

inferno · 16 Feb 2009 at 19:16

Thanks for the help. i left it for a while and it seemed to recover. It only gets scrambled if I move the screen on its hinge, so I guess the connection to the screen is a bit messed, but it is ok for now.

Thanks!

RobH · 16 Feb 2009 at 19:42

Yeah, this is quite a common fault on some specific laptops, sometimes it can be a loose connection or a dry joint on the motherboard, other times the actual cable becomes severed inside. Internal breaks occur over time due to the opening and closing of the lid and are difficult to repair without having to replace the wiring to the display (if at all possible). I've managed to repair an inverter cable before on a laptop that had a broken backlight but the wires are often much thicker.