Pavillion ZT1170 Blank LCD screen

[rml]

I have a zt1170 that suddenly went blank. When i turn it on, I can barely see the boot loader ( has a dual boot linux/XP).
If i connect to a monitor, it works fine.

Any ideas?
thanks

[3fingersalute]

If you shine a flashlight on it, can you see it ok?

If so your backlight (small light that lights the LCD up) is not lighting. It could be a bad backlight, a bad inverter or a few other things.

[rml]

thanks for the reply

What you mentioned is right,. I can see text in the back,, its the same that when you open the screen and insert a pen in the hole to turn it off.
If wht you are saying is right, how could that be fixed?
thanks

[3fingersalute]

Well, depends on how comfortable you feel with tearing it apart and replacing parts. If you don't feel comfortable, my suggestion would be to find a qualified shop and have them give you a quote on repair.

[rml]

i am comfortable with that as long as i know what is the problem....
could you be more specific?

thanks again

[Damned Angel]

I would start with replacing the FL inverter as it is relativly inexpensive. It is responsible for supplying the voltage to the lamp in your display, if it is defective, the symptoms are exactly what you are describing.

you can locate it by removing the front bezel from the display panel. it should be situated either below or beside the LCD and will have wires connected to both ends. Not sure if HP/Compaq will still supply parts where you are, but you should be able to order a replacement somewhere online.

[AlienDyne]

Yeah, the symptoms of a bad inverter or bad contacts of the cables connected to the inverter are the same as you decribed.
What I would do if I were you, is check all the contacts and correct the bad ones using a soldering iron. Some times the inverter is absolutely fine and the problem is caused by just bad contacts. A soldering iron and some patience may be the solution.
All you need to do, is remove the plastic bezel from the display and locate the inverter board. most of the times, it's covered by an antistatic piece of plastic with a high-voltage indicator sticker. You should pay attention to that sticker and keep in mind that you need to unplug the laptop from the wall and take of its battery before removing the plastic bezel! Then use a soldering iron and check all the contacts of the parts on the inverter and the cables connected to it.
In case that wouldn't improve the situation, you're probably dealing with a faulty inverter or a bad VGA cable. The VGA cable is located under the screen. You should also verify if it's been disconnected from the screen.

Good luck!

[nimesh76]

hi rml,

i have the same problem, i can see the screen when i put the screen under a light or a torch, but can u please tell me how you repiared your problem....because i don't feel comfortable opening my laptop up by myself

[Damned Angel]

hi rml,

i have the same problem, i can see the screen when i put the screen under a light or a torch, but can u please tell me how you repiared your problem....because i don't feel comfortable opening my laptop up by myself

if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself then you need to take it to a service center.

[biker50]

My screen lights up but there is nothing on it just a bright screen.I have a IBM thinkpad.It works on an aux. monitor but that sticks me to a desk.

[3fingersalute]

My screen lights up but there is nothing on it just a bright screen.I have a IBM thinkpad.It works on an aux. monitor but that sticks me to a desk.
Check the connections, but I'm guessing you'll need to replace the LCD.