cfrericks
asked on
latitude LCD dim screen
Hello experts,
I've had this problem with my dell latitude c610 for almost a year now. I've just recently had alot of free time on my hands and the motivation to finally get it solved. Whats happening is the LCD screen is very dim (almost completely black) on some power-ups, but not on others. And sometimes the screen will turn on dim and remain that way through the dell and windows splash screens but then it will kick back to normal once windows loads.
You'd probably think that this would be a very annoying thing to deal with for a year, but the thing is i've discovered a kind of "half" solution. If the computer boots up and loads windows with the screen still dim, I shut down windows and remove the AC power cord from the back of the laptop. Then I power up again, and the screen will always work
properly once windows loads. I can then plug the ac back in and get some work done.
I've installed the newest video drivers from dell and I even updated the bios from A07 to A16 and the problem persists. I've booted in safe mode and the problem persists. But after reading through past questions I've realized it may be the backlight or inverter is going bad. I've found a website that sells backlights for cheap http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/ccfl.html but I don't know if its advisable that I try to install it myself or not.
Well I think i've covered most of the background, i'll probably think of somethign to add later. Thanks in advance for your time and help.
I've had this problem with my dell latitude c610 for almost a year now. I've just recently had alot of free time on my hands and the motivation to finally get it solved. Whats happening is the LCD screen is very dim (almost completely black) on some power-ups, but not on others. And sometimes the screen will turn on dim and remain that way through the dell and windows splash screens but then it will kick back to normal once windows loads.
You'd probably think that this would be a very annoying thing to deal with for a year, but the thing is i've discovered a kind of "half" solution. If the computer boots up and loads windows with the screen still dim, I shut down windows and remove the AC power cord from the back of the laptop. Then I power up again, and the screen will always work
properly once windows loads. I can then plug the ac back in and get some work done.
I've installed the newest video drivers from dell and I even updated the bios from A07 to A16 and the problem persists. I've booted in safe mode and the problem persists. But after reading through past questions I've realized it may be the backlight or inverter is going bad. I've found a website that sells backlights for cheap http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/ccfl.html but I don't know if its advisable that I try to install it myself or not.
Well I think i've covered most of the background, i'll probably think of somethign to add later. Thanks in advance for your time and help.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
You first need to open it up and see which LCD it is.
Once you get that far it's best to just get the numbers off the old inverter if they are present.
~ Because ~
It looks like Dell used both LG PHILIPS LP141XB(C1)(C4) screens and Sharp LQ141F1LH02 screens.
There may have been other screens usd too.
It is not uncommon for one model laptop to have had several different makes of screens installed.
The numbers will be on the LCD itself on the back or the edge.
It's also possible both screens used the same inverter.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/latc610/sm_en/display.htm#1001077
Once you get that far it's best to just get the numbers off the old inverter if they are present.
~ Because ~
It looks like Dell used both LG PHILIPS LP141XB(C1)(C4) screens and Sharp LQ141F1LH02 screens.
There may have been other screens usd too.
It is not uncommon for one model laptop to have had several different makes of screens installed.
The numbers will be on the LCD itself on the back or the edge.
It's also possible both screens used the same inverter.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/latc610/sm_en/display.htm#1001077
Nothing that Bonez has said is incorrect, but the problem with inverter replacement is getting the replacement inverter (and, FWIW, that is also a major issue, but not necessarily the only problem, with lamp replacement).
In general, you can only get these from the mfgr (Dell), although another strategy is to buy another identical or known-similar laptop on E-Bay that is not working (cracked screen or bad motherboard) and salvage it's inverter and/or lamps.
Which LCD panel it is really has nothing to do with which inverter it is. Most laptops use the same connector from the lamps to the inverter, and I've used the "wrong" inverter a few times to find out if the inverter was the problem (place the two laptops side-by-side, connect laptop A's lamps to laptop B's inverter, or if the input connectors are the same, just connect an electrically compatible but physically incompatible inverter to the lamps and the laptop). Of course you can't do this as a permanent fix, but it is sometimes useful for diagnostic purposes.
Lamp replacement, should that ultimately be required, is more variable and more problematic. Panels vary in lamp replacement from trivial / very, very easy to literally impossible. And, again, getting replacment bulbs is a major problem. Most laptops use a single bulb, some 2 (I've never seen 3 or more used).
A few things Watzman said are wrong.
Inverters are not terribly difficult to find except perhaps for a few select models.
Also, Dell does not manufacture inverters.
They buy most of them from Moniserv or Samsung (and a few others).
Also the manufacturer is FAR from the only source.
Replacement bulbs is easy.....
http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/inverter.html
http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/ccfl.html
"Which LCD panel it is really has nothing to do with which inverter it is".
It's not that easy........
Except for physically mounting them in a screen they are indeed far more universal than people think.
But that in no way means any will work with any.
Typical voltage outputs are 900 volts to 1300 volts.
You need to be close if you want the lamp to last.
The problem with that is the actual specs of an inverter are nearly impossible to find.
They are ordered by manufacturer/part number or application/model number.
Inverters are not terribly difficult to find except perhaps for a few select models.
Also, Dell does not manufacture inverters.
They buy most of them from Moniserv or Samsung (and a few others).
Also the manufacturer is FAR from the only source.
Replacement bulbs is easy.....
http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/inverter.html
http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/ccfl.html
"Which LCD panel it is really has nothing to do with which inverter it is".
It's not that easy........
Except for physically mounting them in a screen they are indeed far more universal than people think.
But that in no way means any will work with any.
Typical voltage outputs are 900 volts to 1300 volts.
You need to be close if you want the lamp to last.
The problem with that is the actual specs of an inverter are nearly impossible to find.
They are ordered by manufacturer/part number or application/model number.
Re: "Inverters are not terribly difficult to find "
I stand by my statement; in general, when replacing a notebook inverter, you have two choices, get the inverter from the notebook manufacturer (Dell). I agree that Dell does not MAKE the inverter, but getting it from another source, including the mfgr, is usually not an option, because it usually is a custom OEM part). Or, 2nd choice, another Dell laptop that uses the same inverter and salvage it.
Yes, inverter replacement is easy once you have the part.
As to "universality", there's a difference between having a part that will work as a service replacement (as a practical matter, it has to be the exact same part), and having a part to test with simply to find out if the problem is the inverter or the lamp(s). For the latter, where you will only be operating the unit for less than one minutes, you can get away with substantially different parts with substantially different specs.
I stand by my statement; in general, when replacing a notebook inverter, you have two choices, get the inverter from the notebook manufacturer (Dell). I agree that Dell does not MAKE the inverter, but getting it from another source, including the mfgr, is usually not an option, because it usually is a custom OEM part). Or, 2nd choice, another Dell laptop that uses the same inverter and salvage it.
Yes, inverter replacement is easy once you have the part.
As to "universality", there's a difference between having a part that will work as a service replacement (as a practical matter, it has to be the exact same part), and having a part to test with simply to find out if the problem is the inverter or the lamp(s). For the latter, where you will only be operating the unit for less than one minutes, you can get away with substantially different parts with substantially different specs.
cfrericks
If you would be so kind as to give us the LCD make/model number and size we might be able to do some good.
The numbers off your old inverter board will probably triple the likelyhood of finding one as many inverters are often listed only by the manufactures part number (because they fit a large number of screens).
Your laptop apparently came with 13" or 14" screens.
The 14" could be LG or Samsung.
They had both XGA or SXGA type screens.
We dunno what you have there....
Watzman:
Ah, no..., it doesn't have to be the exact same part.
That's what people selling them tell you that you than match it through a cross reference. "Black Box' repair people buy the story. It has to put out the correct voltage, fit in the space provided to mount it, and have mounting holes in the right places.
That 'story' has as much validity as the guy at Kragen telling you a carb off a Chevy won't fit on a Ford even though the carb is made by Holley and has the same CFM (capactity), same bolt holes, and same connections.
Guess what, it'll work fine.
Also manufactures commonly use a different part number for the EXACT same part based on who they are selling it to. This is a common practice with OEM parts. I have 3 identical modems here (right down to the chips on the board and the firmware revision) with differnt part numbers. The one that ends in "09" has an IBM sticker on it, the "07" a Gateway sticker, and the "05" has a Dell sticker. (I may have which/which backasswards but you get the point.)
I have cross referenced and and installed a alternate inverters in several screens and it works perfectly. In fact I'm using and old Gateway to write this that I repaired in this way 2 years ago. The screen is a 15", the inverter had 3 holes. The one I installed was new and for 14" screen. I picked it up on eBay for $9. It has the same voltage, same foot print. The ONLY difference is it has a different mfr part number because it only has 2 mounting hole vs 3. This kind of thing is not at all uncommon with inverters.
A tech that can read and understand specs isn't locked into doing "black box" replacements.
Additionally most shops with 'real techs' (electronic repair vs black box swap) can repair the old inverter for under $75.
It's an easy circuit.
As a last resort this place will sell you one exchange or fix your old one for $65.
http://www.lcdrepair.net/Laptop-LCD-inverters-ref.htm
That makes locating an exact replacement a 100% probability if you can't just find on at a better price.
Hard to find??? For who?
A google search brought back 12,200 results like these.
http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/inverter.html
http://www.blisscomputers.net/
http://www.blisscomputers.net/dell-laptopinverterrepair.htm
http://notebook-repair.net/
http://www.portablecomputer.com/parts/searchdesc.asp?Description=inverter
http://search.ebay.com/LCD-inverter_W0QQfromZR40QQsojsZ1
http://laptops.home.att.net/Laptop-LCD-inverters-ref.htm
If I had the numbers off the inverter I could nail it.
Knowing the size and make of the screen would help.
.
If you would be so kind as to give us the LCD make/model number and size we might be able to do some good.
The numbers off your old inverter board will probably triple the likelyhood of finding one as many inverters are often listed only by the manufactures part number (because they fit a large number of screens).
Your laptop apparently came with 13" or 14" screens.
The 14" could be LG or Samsung.
They had both XGA or SXGA type screens.
We dunno what you have there....
Watzman:
Ah, no..., it doesn't have to be the exact same part.
That's what people selling them tell you that you than match it through a cross reference. "Black Box' repair people buy the story. It has to put out the correct voltage, fit in the space provided to mount it, and have mounting holes in the right places.
That 'story' has as much validity as the guy at Kragen telling you a carb off a Chevy won't fit on a Ford even though the carb is made by Holley and has the same CFM (capactity), same bolt holes, and same connections.
Guess what, it'll work fine.
Also manufactures commonly use a different part number for the EXACT same part based on who they are selling it to. This is a common practice with OEM parts. I have 3 identical modems here (right down to the chips on the board and the firmware revision) with differnt part numbers. The one that ends in "09" has an IBM sticker on it, the "07" a Gateway sticker, and the "05" has a Dell sticker. (I may have which/which backasswards but you get the point.)
I have cross referenced and and installed a alternate inverters in several screens and it works perfectly. In fact I'm using and old Gateway to write this that I repaired in this way 2 years ago. The screen is a 15", the inverter had 3 holes. The one I installed was new and for 14" screen. I picked it up on eBay for $9. It has the same voltage, same foot print. The ONLY difference is it has a different mfr part number because it only has 2 mounting hole vs 3. This kind of thing is not at all uncommon with inverters.
A tech that can read and understand specs isn't locked into doing "black box" replacements.
Additionally most shops with 'real techs' (electronic repair vs black box swap) can repair the old inverter for under $75.
It's an easy circuit.
As a last resort this place will sell you one exchange or fix your old one for $65.
http://www.lcdrepair.net/Laptop-LCD-inverters-ref.htm
That makes locating an exact replacement a 100% probability if you can't just find on at a better price.
Hard to find??? For who?
A google search brought back 12,200 results like these.
http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/inverter.html
http://www.blisscomputers.net/
http://www.blisscomputers.net/dell-laptopinverterrepair.htm
http://notebook-repair.net/
http://www.portablecomputer.com/parts/searchdesc.asp?Description=inverter
http://search.ebay.com/LCD-inverter_W0QQfromZR40QQsojsZ1
http://laptops.home.att.net/Laptop-LCD-inverters-ref.htm
If I had the numbers off the inverter I could nail it.
Knowing the size and make of the screen would help.
.
Bonez, while your statement that "it doesn't have to be an exact part" is literally true, the chances that a non-exact part will work in the laptop are almost insignificantly small. Not never, but not very often, unfortunately. All that it takes is different screw holes (incompatabily different), different dimensions (incompatably different), different connectors on the control and power cable to make a nearly identical inverter inapplicable.
Further, the model number of the LCD panel won't tell you anythning at all about the inverter (it is, however, very useful if a lamp has to be replaced).
Further, the model number of the LCD panel won't tell you anythning at all about the inverter (it is, however, very useful if a lamp has to be replaced).
Watzman:
Sentance one: Except for the probability, yeah that's what I said...
Sentance two: I didn't ask for the number on the LCD. I asked for the number in the inverter.
Sentance one: Except for the probability, yeah that's what I said...
Sentance two: I didn't ask for the number on the LCD. I asked for the number in the inverter.
If you have a personal policy of never checking for alternate compatible inverters then the odds of finding them would indeed be small. .
ASKER
Hey guys,
sorry i haven't been very active with this lately... im in the process of moving back to college for fall semister. but i did get the chance to disassemble the display assembly and i found three numbers on the inverter board :
K081001.03
K081001.02
K081001.01
and it also said "ambit rev:4"
and my lcd is a 14"
I hope this helps,
thanks again
sorry i haven't been very active with this lately... im in the process of moving back to college for fall semister. but i did get the chance to disassemble the display assembly and i found three numbers on the inverter board :
K081001.03
K081001.02
K081001.01
and it also said "ambit rev:4"
and my lcd is a 14"
I hope this helps,
thanks again
ASKER
Hey again,
I bought an inverter on ebay pulled from a latitude c610. How can I make sure that its has the proper ampage and so forth?
I bought an inverter on ebay pulled from a latitude c610. How can I make sure that its has the proper ampage and so forth?
You don't. If the new inverter and the old inverter look substantially identical, use it. If the are physically or electrically incompatible and the new one won't fit where the old one was, don't use it. There is no reasonable way for you to get the "specs" on either the old or the new inverter in most cases, unless you can identify the actual mfgr. of the inverter (won't be Dell; might be "Ambit") and can determine the specs from their web site.
If you know what screen it was attached to before and you have the same screen you are okay.
If they 'look' the same you are okay.
Different models have different component layouts.
Different doesn't mean it's wrong but the same means you are okay.
If not sure then give us the numbers off the new and old inverters.
Specs aren't easy to find but if you have a clue how to look you can usually find them.
If they 'look' the same you are okay.
Different models have different component layouts.
Different doesn't mean it's wrong but the same means you are okay.
If not sure then give us the numbers off the new and old inverters.
Specs aren't easy to find but if you have a clue how to look you can usually find them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-Dell-Inspiron-5100-1100-2600-14-LCD-Screen-Inverter_W0QQitemZ8214411277
Might wanna read ths guy's note:
"........ For example I routinely swap C600/C610/C640/D600/600m/4
Might wanna read ths guy's note:
"........ For example I routinely swap C600/C610/C640/D600/600m/4
And these.
http://cgi.ebay.com/2H457-Dell-Inspiron-Latitude-14-1-LCD-Laptop-SCREEN_W0QQitemZ6796411966
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Inspiron-4100-4150-Latitude-610-640-Inverter_W0QQitemZ6797501185
These things are a lot more interchangable than people think.
I asked for the LCD make/model but you never said so I dunno what your screen is.
Just make sure the inverter is for the right type screen.
http://cgi.ebay.com/2H457-Dell-Inspiron-Latitude-14-1-LCD-Laptop-SCREEN_W0QQitemZ6796411966
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Inspiron-4100-4150-Latitude-610-640-Inverter_W0QQitemZ6797501185
These things are a lot more interchangable than people think.
I asked for the LCD make/model but you never said so I dunno what your screen is.
Just make sure the inverter is for the right type screen.
ASKER
Also, do you know where I can find some documentation on how to take apart the "lid"? I could probably do without, but maybe you know of a website or something.