Thunderbugs behind backlight

BuToNz · 18 Jul 2010 at 14:27

Hey guys,

Recently acquired an old 17" Dell LCD which is decent enough for a basic build I'm putting together. Problem is when I got it I found the screen to be ridden with thunderbugs (Tiny black flys) behind the top layer of the LCD.

I opened it up yesterday to clean them out, had no problems clearing up most of them but somehow they've gotten in deeper. I think behind the backlight? (White panel behind the top layer).

I tried to get inside of it but it appears to be sealed, are backlight panels generally sealed or is there a way of getting into it to remove the thunderbugs?

Many thanks for any help/advise on this, don't fancy bothering to take it apart again if its wasted time.

Bint Box · 18 Jul 2010 at 15:20

I read a previous reply to a problem like this where the recommendation was to place the monitor screen down, flat, on a soft surface in a darkened room and see if they come out overnight.

Rgds
Binty

Bint Box · 18 Jul 2010 at 15:22

The link with the previous options is pasted below, "mit1" was the member who recommends the face down overnight option.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18162188

Rgds
Binty

Minstadave · 18 Jul 2010 at 15:34

The little buggers will die in there and then you're shafted, sounds like yours have got into the CCFL layer, no idea if there is anyway to get them out. There's a thread on this every summer

Minimoke · 18 Jul 2010 at 16:38

I too have suffered this terrible fate, 2 of my 3 monitors have got a few dead ones in there. Depressing to say the least!

Bint Box · 18 Jul 2010 at 19:25

Looks like manufacturing standards are declining or is it a plan by manufacturers to get customers to replace monitors more frequently. Nothing would surprise me with some of these corporates and their "Ideas" units.

Rgds
Binty

thingemajib · 18 Jul 2010 at 20:11

in fairness i somehow doubt "how easily can bugs crawl into my screen?" would be looked at in depth when they're designing monitors

BuToNz · 18 Jul 2010 at 21:15

Unfortunately it looks like they've been dead for a while (The previous owner obviously didn't realize they are bugs.)

Not hugely bothered tbh, just hate seeing a decent monitor goto waste for this build. Is there a method/is it safe to get into the CCFL layer of the LCD?

PCM2 · 19 Jul 2010 at 10:08

As long as you don't open up the CCFL lamps themselves (very hazardous - mercury and arsenic warning) you should be ok. There is usually a filter (and diffusers) infront of the lamps and it is generally not recommended to remove this unless it is obvious how to do so. You'd have to be very careful not to damage the lamps and it's personally not something I'd be comfortable doing. Maybe they should market LED backlighting as a 'thunderbug removal friendly' technology