[SOLVED] Wine spilled HP DV4000 screen problem

[TheBLU26]

I know this is a common problem but I could use some second opinions here please. A client spilled a glass of wine on her laptop. She immediately unplugged it and flipped it over but said it won't boot anymore. I found it does boot however, the problem is there is no video on the screen. First, I let the laptop dry out for 3 days. Then removed the keyboard and cleaned up the inside as best I could. I reset the laptop by holding down the power button with the battery out for 30 seconds. The laptop booted up to the desktop but with only half a screen, only the top half was visible (horizontally). Connecting an external monitor it worked perfectly. I figured it was the inverter and replaced it. However rebooting the laptop the same problem, half a screen. I then replaced the CCFL bulb, still nothing. I replaced the data cable from the LCD screen to the motherboard but the problem persists. Now trying again the external monitor, it will only boot in safe mode and VGA mode. The laptop screen still nothing only half a screen (always horizontally) and dim. I can see the top half with a flashlight but the bottom half nothing. As a second thought I upgraded the video drivers while using the external monitor but still no go. Anybody have any ideas? I did recover all the data from the clients hard drive but she would still like her laptop back if possible.

 

[mm201]

...removed the keyboard and cleaned up the inside as best I could.

A complete tear down and complete cleaning of the motherboard would've been the direction I would have chosen.

Just as an aside. I had a laptop that had had some sugary Starbucks type stuff spilled into it and tried cleaning the motherboard with alcohol and it still wouldn't power up. I then used an alcohol-based hand sanitizer -- a tip I got from one of the Podnutz videos -- to clean the board and it started right up after that treatment.

 

[TheBLU26]

First of all thanks for your reply! Yes, I used the hand sanitizer trick to clean the inside. The laptop boots to the desktop, it's just the screen is dim and half visible and now, with the external monitor, works only in safe mode and VGA mode.

 

[Boston Pro Comp Serv LLC]

The inverter is only responsible for the screen brightness not what displayed in the LCD, so unless its got more than one CCDs bulb (which is very unlikely for a laptop LCD) than I wouldn't expect changing the inverter would make the other half of the screen display. The LCD ribbon could have been the cause but since you changed that, that rules that out. I'd say the LCD itself fried or the part of the motherboard where the LCD ribbon connects got fried. This is all provided an external has always displayed correctly. My guess is you need to clean the ribbon area on the board or replace the LCD. In some cases an external will display just fine and the internal won't. In that case it's usually the LCD itself or the ribbon cable. Most likely, but still could be the board. Does it have a daughter board where the LCD ribbon connects or does it connect direct to the motherboard? If it connects directly to the MB and cleaning the area doesn't solve the problem, it's likely the LCD screen. My guess would be the LCD screen itself. Though I have had a few laptop display correct on an external and scrambled on the LCD, and it was the board that was bad. You've just got to try to narrow it down, I'd try the LCD screen itself first.

 

[TheBLU26]

Thanks for your reply. Sounds good. The LCD ribbon connects directly to the MB. I will try another cleaning of the motherboard specially around the area where the ribbon cable connects and if that doesn't work then a replacement LCD. Will post the results.

 

[nlinecomputers]

hand sanitizer ????

Seriously? You know that stuff often has lotions and other junk in them.

You should be using isopropyl alcohol to clean such things. Or even an proper electronic cleaning solution.

 

[TheBLU26]

I'll be using an electronic grade cleaner for circuit boards this time thanks!

 

[River Valley Computer]

Radio Shack selling a product that we have used for years for this purpose. CRC Electrical Grade Contact Cleaner. It has no flash point and no residue.

The problem with wine is that it has a corrosive component that can do a lot of damage to the copper traces. We had a very expensive Sony in last week that had Rose' spill in it and it ate some of the traces. Had to replace the MOBO

 

[nlinecomputers]

You can find that stuff at auto parts stores. Good stuff I use it all the time.

 

[Ktex]

Did the inverter board have two ccfl connectors? I know I have a sony with that kind of inverter, and the screen does have two ccfl. Some HP dv9000 also show a two lamp inverter. If so, check the lamps by themselves, although you mention having replaced one lamp. That is a time consuming and delicate job. Kudos for that job.

 

[TheBLU26]

Hey guys, appreciate all the replies. @Ktex The HP DV4000 only has 1 CCFL bulb, thanks!

Update: I did a thorough cleaning of the MB with electrical grade contact cleaner. (Above All Electronic Surplus Ltd Toronto, have it for peanuts) I did a test with the new cable, new inverter board and new CCFL light still nothing, a faint image still appears on the top half of the screen, visible only with a flashlight. The MB boots up to the desktop and I can hear the win logon and pop up sounds. The external monitor only works in safe mode and VGA mode now although previously when I first got the laptop, it worked in normal mode (the external monitor that is). So it's down to replace the LCD screen or the MB which actually costs less than the screen.

 

[Ktex]

A used dv4000 screen will run you about $35 on ebay in the US, if it's the 15.4 size. I myself keep a slightly damaged (spots) 15.4 screen to do testing, usually they all have the same type of connection. Even older 15.0 screens have that same connection, and I built a test platform with an older dell d610 laptop, with no screen, the LCD cable and inverter are just taped to the cover, ready for hooking. That has saved me a lot of time and headaches, because on matte screens it is not easy to see any damage until they are hooked up and lighted.

 

[TheBLU26]

Update: Just my luck, turned out had to change BOTH the motherboard and the LCD screen. The CCFL bulb, inverter and LCD cable were fine. Client got back an almost brand new laptop and an upgrade as well. She could have bought a much better laptop for the same price but she wanted her laptop at all costs.

Thanks for all the replies I received on this thread. Since I am new in the business the breakdown and problem solving feedback is of valuable help and much appreciated.