Laptop lcd inverter

[shulsey]

Hi,
I bought a notebook (Compaq Evo n1015v) and the screen fades out after a couple of minutes of being on. It glows red. Is that an inverter problem? The inverter part# is 83-120062-3000. I can't seem to find one anywhere. Thanks for your help if anyone can help me!!
Oh, and there's no warranty. I bought this off of ebay knowing that it had this problem. I just wanted to play around with repairing the screen myself. I didn't know I would have so many problems with trying to find one. I've heard that the problem could be backlight bulbs, motherboard, or inverter.

[GaryRouth]

Hi shulsey

Usually, fading out & a dimly lit screen is related to a failing backlight. The screen changing to all one color is generally the inverter. I think you're likeliest remedy would be to try for a reasonably priced screen (one that you'd simply have to connect via it's video cable.. it would come with laptop's case shell, an inverter, and the lcd/backlight already assembled). The screens sometimes survive spills, though much of the rest of the notebook suffers (especially the motherboard) -- so check around on eBay: there might be such a screen available.

Inverters need to match the capabilities of the screen fairly exactly, and backlights are difficult to repair [unless you're a specialist], so getting all these components already assembled is more likely to work.

There are no guarantees with laptop repairs, though - before you spend too much hard-earned cash, hook the notebook up to an external monitor, and see if the rest of the system tests out OK (since you'll be able to see what's going on, you can run diagnostics, that will give you detailed info on the status of the components -- if Windows is running well enough that you can get into the Control Panel, you should see an item for "Compaq Diagnostics" in there = these diagnostics are fairly thorough, and should give you an idea of what's working and what's not).

If you can't get an external monitor to work - post that info here, that could be a big problem, or just a configuration change from being OK.

Here's the Hp/Compaq support site webpage for your model, it has links to just about anything you'd want to know about your notebook (manuals, drivers, troubleshooters, the works) http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...&lang=en&cc=us

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[PS sorry this reply is so late, I didn't see your post earlier]

[shulsey]

Hi again,
The computer itself is great. I hooked it up to an external monitor. I really wanted to try and fix this myself and if I end up not being able to at all, I'll buy another lcd screen...since its already not working, I guess I can't hurt it, lol It kind of bugs me because I can't fix it and because I already have everything apart and don't want to put it back together unfixed.

I had gone ahead and replaced the inverter, even though you're right, thats not whats wrong. I went to the hp support site and the only reply I got was to buy a new lcd screen (their brand for 362.00 for a compaq evo n1015v model). I only gave 150.00 for this computer and already knew it had an lcd problem.
Since its not the inverter, I wanted to know if I can replace the bulbs in the screen. I saw some of those on ebay for only $10 each (http://cgi.ebay.com/LCD-Backlight-fo...QcmdZViewItem). I've taken apart everything but the lcd screen back. Should the bulbs fit in there and do you think I would have problems, or would it be worth a try?

I've even heard that different brand lcd panels would fit in this model laptop. I'd really like to find a glossy panel like the sony vaios but will settle for the regular matte screen. I hope I'll be able to find one and put it in my own shell and bevel. The problem I have is finding a compatible panel. It would be nice if all connectors were the same.

Thanks for posting your reply. Have a great 4th of July!

[GaryRouth]

Hope you have good luck finding the right parts for your project. It is a bit of fun - but replacing the backlight is something I haven't tried myself [ I'd need a bigger budget for that ]

Next to getting parts that fit in the case plastics, making sure that the inverter and lcd panel get along is one of your biggest compatibility issues. Another would be the tiny connector where the ribbon cable from the screen to the motherboard = I don't think these little plugs are standardized much. Most of the time, your highest percentage chance is to use screens listed on the laptop's website as available upgrades and replacement parts (then you try to find one for a reasonable price - not an easy thing).

& Happy Fourth of July to you, too - - -
. . . Gary

[. . . you might try a Google search for backlight replacement procedures . . I looked these up a few times in the past. It looked like a tricky repair, but if you look hard enough, there are some good instructions to be found]

[shulsey]

Thanks a lot for your help! I'll be back again, I know. Been coming here for years. I used to work with repairs and don't much anymore except on my own stuff. My husband has a laptop and asks me about upgrading it and I always have to tell him I know nothing about laptops. So thats why I bought this one and took it apart and explored. I'll post later on what happened and how I replaced it or whatever I have to do.