Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of buchanb
buchanb

asked on

Laptop LCD backlight problem

Gateway MA2 laptop LCD display will not stay on.  The Bios screen is pinkish and most times the LCD screen stays on during the Windows welcome screen for 2-3 seconds.  When I press Fn F4 for the screen the LCD display comes on again for 2-3 seconds.  When an external monitor is plugged in everything is displayed on the external properly.  Booted from Xandros with the same results.  Replaced the inverter and have the same results.  Reset the video cable, no change.  Tried with battery or without the battery, no change.  When the LCD display stops I can see the display but very dark so I put a light in back of the display and I can see the display perfectly.  I think the LCD screen needs replacing but wanted to get another opinion before spending the money.   Can anone recommend a place to buy LCD screens chaeper than $170?
Avatar of Mark Poirier
Mark Poirier
Flag of Canada image

A pinkish color usually means the CCFL bulbs are getting bad. Not an easy fix as they are usually incorporated into the lcd screen casing top and bottom.
Where you have replaced the inverter that powers the bulbs and can see the image on the LCD with a flashlight(proving the cable is good) I would suspect the CCFL bulbs..
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of Mark Poirier
Mark Poirier
Flag of Canada image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
SOLUTION
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
It can also be a problem with LCD backlight elecronic - it measures current going through backlight and adjust backlight to stay "bright as new", because cold cathode backlight is getting old very fast. It tries to keep the same brightnes all the time - if the electronic is not able to keep it, it turns off (it may be caused by age of backlight, or malfunction of either elecronic or backligt bulb).