No display on laptop screen

[sorcerer]

Got a Packard Bell Easynote TS11 in with no display on its own internal panel but I've confirmed that the laptop boots and runs perfectly normally with an external monitor connected.

When the machine powers up the screen becomes lighter, which I assume is the backlight coming on, but there's no video. My instinct tells me that if it was the screen cable then there should be some sort of flickering or intermittent picture as the lid is repeatedly opened and closed but there isn't, so I'm leaning towards this being a problem with the LCD panel itself.

I'm a one-man band working out of a tiny spare bedroom and I don't carry any stock so can't test by substitution. I've got a couple of old panels that I use for testing sometimes but the connectors are different on this one - it's a B156XW02 V6 and it's LED not CCFL.

1) Are there any tests I can run to confirm panel failure?
2) If not, and given that I can't afford to take a risk and just buy one to try, are there any suppliers in the UK who will send a panel on sale or return - or do I just tell my customer (who is a mate of mine that I used to work with on BT) that I haven't got the resources to repair the laptop?

 

[tek9]

Did you try to reseat the cable? It might have come loose.

 

[sorcerer]

Did you try to reseat the cable? It might have come loose.

I did, but unfortunately it wasn't as simple as that, but thanks anyway.

 

[PC-MOT]

There doesn't really seem to be much of a choice, you either:

- buy a screen to test (ebay for a cheapo, where screen known to work?)
- don't repair laptop
- pass to a 3rd party to fix, and just put a bit of markup / or not, for yourself on

 

[sorcerer]

Cheers Daniel, I thought as much but just wanted to check that I wasn't missing a trick somewhere. I think I'll try to find a cheapo on the bay of fleas - at least I'll have it for future reference then. Thanks again.

 

[adewale]

I would advise u replace the screen with new one.

 

[JustInspired]

Hi mate, you're a bit far away from me... I could lend you one to try.
It's most likely going to be the screen itself or a cable.
As this is the common 15.6" LED screen, I would recommend you get one at least. I can identify with you, not having the bits available for substitution when starting out but there are some items we find as necessary as the tools we use and this is one of them.
If you get stuck PM me and I'll see if I can help you out.

Please note :
If you are disconnecting and connecting screen cables from either end, please make SURE the power is disconnected and the main battery has been removed. To be even more sure there is no residual power, I hold the power button down for a few seconds after removing battery and charger.
LED backlight circuits on the motherboard can get damaged or blow SMD fuses otherwise.

 

[B-MASTER]

if only you were closer, i have about 50 panels which have been removed from scrap insurance returns i would have happily gave you one to test.

On a side note have you tried external output to eliminate the GPU ?

 

[acesdeals]

can you comment on this scrap insurance returns you speak of

 

[Markverhyden]

I would say, from a statistical perspective, that the problem is with the screen itself. On the off chance it might be the cable is there enough exposed on both ends to do continuity tests?

 

[Mr.Mike]

I may have missed something, but have you tried testing the screen on an external monitor?

 

[Kitten Kong]

I have a few lcd's in from stripped laptops. If you want to try one of these, I don't mind shipping it up to you mate. Just give me a shout

 

[sorcerer]

Wow, quite a few more replies since I last looked yesterday. Thanks everyone, I really do appreciate it.

As it happens, I got a call from someone last night who dropped his laptop on a wooden floor about three weeks ago and smashed the screen. He got his insurance involved but, after their assessment, discovered that the £150 excess was more expensive than an independent repair would be, not to mention the hassle of having a claim against his name, so I picked it up this morning.

I was just coming back into this topic to say that by a strange coincidence it's an Acer Aspire that uses the exact same screen, so I've been able to test my friend's panel in it this morning and found that it works perfectly!

I've found a brand new cable on Ebay for £15 and ordered that. If it works, great; if not, I've got a spare cable for my testing arsenal and I'll also take Julian's advice about getting a spare panel for testing too.

B-MASTER and Mr. Mike - yes, I connected an external monitor and that works. However, from what I understand that doesn't necessarily rule out the GPU being faulty. I remember reading somewhere (and now can't find the link) that the video signals for internal and external monitors come from different sections and pins on the GPU - it just depends how and where the GPU has failed and in some cases you can get an external monitor working well, while the part of the GPU that feeds the internal panel is toast.

Once again, thanks everyone

 

[wardoursecure]

If you discover it is a GPU fault there is a guy I have used in Oldham which does a good repair with warranty I can let you have his details

 

[RoseburgHelpDesk]

I had one like this and not sure if it helps but shine a good flashlight on the screen. if you can see something it could be the backlight. This means new screen.

 

[Gary Rockliff]

Cannot recommend these testers highly enough.

Paid for itself in one job.

http://www.lcdparts.net/LST01.aspx