LCD or cable failure?

[Modena]

My laptop recently just stopped showing anything on the screen, its just black. The computer still starts and works fine with an external monitor. So my question is how do I know what to replace the cable or the LCD? I did some research online and it seems if it were the cable you could tap/bend/turn screen and you'd get something to display even for a moment but nothing happens, so is it safe to say its the LCD itself? Any info appreciated, thank you. (HP Pavilion DV4 2045dx BTW)

 

[Tmagic650]

Take a flash light and shine it on the LCD screen. If you can see a faint image, the LCD back light has failed. If you see no image, the LCD inverter may be bad. It is a separate piece. The inverter doesn't fail that often though. You can change the back light but it is a pain. Whole LCD panels including the back light can be purchased. I get mine from EBay, most of the time for $150 and under. You can check the cable when you take the top apart. Unless the laptop has been abused, the cable(s) are usually okay

 

[Modena]

Yeah couldn't see anything even with the flashlight on it, so its safe to say I should replace the inverter? Thank you for the response.

 

[Tmagic650]

You could replace the inverter, I'm not so sure it isn't the back light though... Good luck whichever way you go. In my experience with HP/Compaq it has always been to replace the whole LCD panel

 

[Modena]

Yeah well I figure I could try the inverter 1st just cause it's so much cheaper, hopefully its that if not then new LCD it is.

 

[Tmagic650]

Okay,
let us know the outcome, and once again... good luck

 

[Darth Shiv]

The display ribbon cable might have come loose?

 

[quruneowla]

as u used flash light any there was no display so it s probably the LCD problem

 

[ElShotte]

Yeah, definitely a problem with the LCD itself. The inverter provides power for the back light. If you can't see anything on your screen even with a flashlight, then its definitely the LCD. Did you make sure you switched to the laptop's LCD from the external monitor before you checked?

 

[Tmagic650]

I really think so too. I have changed a lot of LCD panels over the last few years, and 0 inverters electrically bad, except a few that were physically damaged

 

[Modena]

Yeah, it wasn't the inverter sadly... Installed new LCD today and its working nice. Amazon had it super cheap though $90, thanks for the help everybody.

 

[Tmagic650]

I knew that would be the case, but now you know :approve: