Inspiron 1150 lcd problem

[fidgitty1]

First I guess I need to ask, if Inspiron 1150 and 1100 lcds compatible? I am hoping so since, after breaking the lcd on my 1150, I shopped around and discovered a 1100 lcd on Ebay for a fraction of the cost of a new 1150 lcd. Since there were a lot of listings that stated that the 1150 and 1100 were compatible, I decided I would give it a shot. When I got the "new" lcd, I realized that the flex cable was different and that the cable I had wouldn't fit the "new" lcd, so I decided I would see if the cable that came with the new lcd would fit my motherboard, it did but...........when starting up the computer the lcd would give me an all white screen. After plugging up an external monitor, and messing with the display settings, I have got the lcd to work, kinda. It works if I start the computer with the new display unplugged and use the external one, after windows starts I can then plug in the new lcd, and it works, and will continue to work as long as I don't restart the computer, it will even work after coming out of hibernation. Can't understand if its a compatability issue or some kinda driver, or setting problem. please help, thanks in advance.

[GaryRouth]

If the displays performs perfectly normally once Windows is running - you can see the display in Device Manager, and your graphics chip is able to provide the usual settings - different resolutions and color depths --> then it sounds like you have the basic hardware connected OK. [It sounds like you are now using the flex cable and inverter that came with the replacement, yes? It's important to have an inverter that matches the LCD screen. The older inverter likely didn't match your 1100 LCD, and hence the white screen - now that you are using the inverter that came with the replacement, things should be OK].

On the 1150, the Fn F8 key combination toggles between external monitor and the LCD screen (if you have the original keyboard, you can see "CRT/LCD" printed in blue on the F8 key). Try hitting that key combination at bootup & see if the usual Dell logo display shows on the LCD screen. Then, in Windows, in the advanced settings for the graphics card in your system, you can choose which display (or both simultaneously) to have Windows display on [your choices = external monitor only, LCD screen only, or both simultaneously].

Best of luck
. . . Gary

P.S. ... noticed this is your first post here: Welcome to the PC Mechanic forums.

[fidgitty1]

Thanks for the welcome and quick reply Gary, Yes, I am using the cable and inverter that came with the replacement, the old cable wouldn't even connect to the old lcd, It is with the replacement cable and lcd that I get the white screen, upon start-up. When I start the computer up without the replacement lcd connected, (using an external lcd), and then plugging the replacement lcd back in after windows starts, it works fine. Also, I might add that if I start up with the replacement lcd plugged in after only getting a white screen, I can then plug in an external display, and see that there is a stop error. Still confused with what is going on, it seems to stop when windows starts, could it be a windows xp compatibilty thing, or maybe a setting???? Please help! Thanks again.

[GaryRouth]

While it might be OK to plug in an external monitor while the laptop is running, I would imagine it risky to plug in the LCD screen while running - seems like you'd risk an overvoltage.

The white screen is generally a cable issue (shouldn't be anything wrong with your inverter, since it's brand new). Try making sure that the LCD cable is as securely fastened as possible (if the old electrical tape that helps hold the cable in place has lost its stick, try new tape - the tape is generally fastened a few inches away from the actual lcd cable's connector to the motherboard). If your cable isn't a new cable, but is used, you might want to clean the contacts of the connector if they appear to be oxidized at all. If you can get a small enough pencil eraser to the spot - that will remove oxidation. You can use compressed air or a dry paint brush to remove any dust.

There is a little blurb on common LCD problems, including blank white screens, over at LaptopRepairGuy http://www.laptoprepairguy.com/lapto...ideo-problems/
[they recommend re-seating the flex cable connector]

And, remember that while working inside the laptop case, to remove the laptop battery first (along with unplugging the AC adapter).

If things still don't improve after working on making the flex cable connection as good as possible, try posting the stop error message - that may give us a clue.

--if the hardware itself is OK, it seems that when set to display from the LCD as the primary display, you should see the Dell logo at startup. I'd bet you saw the Dell logo at startup when you had the external montior hooked up - this tells me that the external might currently be set as the primary display. You can try toggling with the Fn-F8 key combination, or perhaps looking for a setting in the Bios Setup screens (I haven't been into the Inspiron setup screens in a while, so I can't remember off the top of my head what the exact display setting choices are in there). You might have to make Bios settings, as well as any XP display-related changes, with an external monitor attached (until things are fixed) to be able to see what you're doing.

Hope it's a simple thing, like the cable isn't firmly connecting.
. . . Gary

[fidgitty1]

Checked the connections, no probs there. Still getting the stop message on start-up using replacement lcd ((0x0000007F (0x00000000,0x0000000,0x0000000)). I've tried to get into the BIOS, but after entering BIOS (F2 on start-up) I can't toggle between the lcd (showing white screen) and external monitor, I could be in BIOS, just can't see it. As far as the display settings in the Control Panel, I think everything is ok, not really sure. This is really starting to drive me crazy, guess that's what I get for trying to save money and cutting corners. Please help.

[GaryRouth]

Does the Stop error mention a file in the error message? If so, include that in your next post if you can.
____________
Here's a blurb on that sort of stop error (from upgradexp.com) ---
Stop 0x0000007F or UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP

The Stop 0x7F message indicates that one of three types of problems occurred in kernel-mode:

1) A condition that the kernel is not allowed to have or intercept (also known as a bound trap).
2) Software problems.
3) Hardware failures.

Possible Resolutions:

Stop 0x7F messages are typically due to defective, malfunctioning, or failed memory hardware. If you added new hardware recently, remove and replace it to determine if it is causing or contributing to the problem. Run diagnostics software supplied by the system manufacturer to determine if the component has failed.

Running the CPU beyond the rated specification, known as "overclocking," can cause Stop 0x7F or other error messages due to heat buildup. When diagnosing problems on overclocked systems, first restore all clock and bus speed settings to the manufacturer recommended values to determine if this resolves the issues.

The problem might also be due to cracks, scratched traces, or defective components on the motherboard. If all else fails, take the system motherboard to a repair facility for diagnostic testing.

Stop 0x7F messages can occur after installing incompatible applications, drivers, or system services. Contact the software manufacturer about possible Windows XP specific updates. Using updated software is especially important for backup programs, multimedia applications, antivirus scanners, and CD mastering tools.
____________

Not an entirely helpful article, since it basically points out that a great many things can cause the error.

Check the error just to see if it mentions any file or module, that might help. You also might want to copy down the part numbers of the inverter & the LCD screen & see if they match up OK for compatibility with the 1150. Dell has a parts list on their site: the easiest way to see those for your model is to use the numbers on your Dell identification stickers (they'll be a service tag # unique to your machine). I'm thinking that perhaps you could leave an email question with them at no cost, or try either a phone call or an online chat (I imagine they might charge for the phone or chat).

Have the Bios screens ever shown up when connected to the external monitor? You may have to use the external for that during your troubleshooting.

It certainly can be frustrating - hope it works out!
. . . Gary