started a fire inside HPzt1135 laptop :D

[Majestic]

Hi all,

well I'm using this old HP zt 1135 with I THINK an inverter issue as a learning experience. I "Fixed" it when I first got it when it had a faint image on the screen or no image at all, and I had to move the screen lid to get an image. So I opened it up and changed the position of the lcd inverter wire slightly then reassembled it. Now it's a year or two later and I'm a lot more comfortable around laptops so I decided to finally fix this issue.

What's going on is that you have to "Fiddle" with the lid of the laptop to keep an image and sometimes the colors will change. If you get it on the right spots it's fine.

Anyway today I decided to open it up and fix it so I disassembled it then revealed the inverter and turned it on. I *believe* the whole issue here is the inverter wire (rather than the inverter itself. When I move the wire on the right angle the image is perfect but I really have to play with it. In the middle of doing that suddenly the wire caught fire.

I figured it was no different than stereo wire, tried to push in the part of the wire that was cut and then put electrical tape around it. I started it up again and the laptop started again but yet again another mini fire burning through the electrical tape.

Does anybody here have any ideas as to WHY it went on fire and if I do buy an lcd inverter off ebay will it include the same wires that are connected from the inverter to the lcd screen?

In this case it's the wire that goes on the left of the inverter directly down into the motherboard.

Again it's an HP ZT1135 Laptop.

Any help, suggestions, words of wisdom Would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Majestic

 

[NYJimbo]

Laptop inverters create/work with very high voltage compared to the rest of the laptop.

 

[rusty.nells]

Maybe the wire was broken or brittle, are you able to replace it? May also be a bad connector or solder joint. A bad connection increases resistance and generates heat. A burnt wire also increases resistance. But you probably already know this.

I would replace the entire inverter and wires just to be safe.

 

[Majestic]

Maybe the wire was broken or brittle, are you able to replace it? May also be a bad connector or solder joint. A bad connection increases resistance and generates heat. A burnt wire also increases resistance. But you probably already know this.

I would replace the entire inverter and wires just to be safe.

I have a feeling it's just the wires but that said, I have found the inverter on ebay for only $8! I wonder though if it includes those wires (does it usually?) or is that what usually comes with the internal wires of the laptop screen itself?

Majestic

 

[rusty.nells]

First of all, I am assuming you're not referring to the wires connected to the backlight. Correct? If you are, the problem may be with the backlight and/or wires.

I use one of these to test inverters. I had an older one with a flaky inverter, I just cut off the inverter and use the light.

To answer your question, yes, the inverter should include the input wires and connector, but may vary by manufacturer.

 

[silvano]

First of all, I am assuming you're not referring to the wires connected to the backlight. Correct? If you are, the problem may be with the backlight and/or wires.

I use one of these to test inverters. I had an older one with a flaky inverter, I just cut off the inverter and use the light.

To answer your question, yes, the inverter should include the input wires and connector, but may vary by manufacturer.

Thats ingenious! I'm new to laptop repair in general, and have yet to find a good way to identify whether the inverter, backlight, or screen is at fault when diagnosing problems with the monitors. Never thought to use a case light lol.

 

[usacvlr]

Just use a cracked LCD to test with.... They almost all have the same connector going to the inverter.

Thats ingenious! I'm new to laptop repair in general, and have yet to find a good way to identify whether the inverter, backlight, or screen is at fault when diagnosing problems with the monitors. Never thought to use a case light lol.

 

[Majestic]

First of all, I am assuming you're not referring to the wires connected to the backlight. Correct? If you are, the problem may be with the backlight and/or wires.

I use one of these to test inverters. I had an older one with a flaky inverter, I just cut off the inverter and use the light.

To answer your question, yes, the inverter should include the input wires and connector, but may vary by manufacturer.

Right. I'm only referring to the wires that are connected to the inverter, and not behind the backlight at all.

Thanks very much I will order the inverter off ebay and see what happens.

Majestic

 

[Majestic]

Maybe the wire was broken or brittle, are you able to replace it? May also be a bad connector or solder joint. A bad connection increases resistance and generates heat. A burnt wire also increases resistance. But you probably already know this.

I would replace the entire inverter and wires just to be safe.

yeah that's exactly what I'm doing... Once that's done I'll have at least a 90% working laptop. I say 90% because the battery is burned but at least I can bring this laptop to me on jobs when I need an extra pc. I'll also check ebay for prices on replacements.. however it being an older computer (1.2 mobile chip in there).. I don't think there's much point in putting too much $$$ into it. I'm using it as a learning tool as well.

Majestic