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General discussion

Dell Laptop LCD Cable?

by Primster7 Dec 6, 2003 1:56PM PST

I have a Dell Laptop with a slight problem. When I open the screen about 3-4" it's fine, but if I open it further the computer beeps once and the screen turns white. I'm assuming that it's an LCD cable but not sure. I was thinking of buying a cable then installing it myself (which I have never done before). Anyway, my two questions are: Is it safe to open the laptop when it's not plugged in and no battery attached? Can you be shocked? Also, does this sound like a LCD cable problem? Any help would greatly be appreciated.

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5 Posts
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Re:Dell Laptop LCD Cable? Is a flex cable.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 6, 2003 10:05PM PST

And I've repaired a few by routing replacement wires for the traces that broke. The downside was that after hours of disassembly, finding the trace with an ohmmeter, the repair only held up until the next trace on the flex cable broke.

You'll want to replace this cable and you'll get it from Dell.

Time to call them.

Bob

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Re:Re:Dell Laptop LCD Cable? Is a flex cable.
by Primster7 Dec 7, 2003 1:45AM PST

I'm getting the cable off of e-bay, but my real question is, is it safe to install? Any possibility of a shock?

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Shock hazard = Yes. IF the power is on.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 7, 2003 4:54AM PST

The CCFT (that light bulb for the display) when powered up is a shock hazard. Here's a reference for that -> http://members.misty.com/don/oddbulb.html#cc and if you do your own research the voltage is from 10 volts for some speck sized bulb to 50 volts for something of interest to about 900V for 8 foot tubes.

Power off and you won't have an issue.

Bob

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Bad connection
by cj2600 Oct 5, 2005 12:52AM PDT

I would try to reseat the data cable connector on the system board and under LCD first. When LCD goes white, it?s most likely bad data cable connection on LCD. Also, check an external video output. Connect CRT monitor to your laptop and check if you get video. If you see the same problem on CRT, most likely your system board is bad.

Good luck.
C.J.
http://www.irisvista.com/deal/index.htm

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CCFL's
by ikenfixit Oct 7, 2005 11:18PM PDT

Actually the startup voltage for laptop CCFLs can be as high as 1600 volts and operate at 6-700.. Not much amperage(the real killer) but they can snap you good.
http://power.tdk.com/dcac/application/Application_Note_97.PDF
(adobe needed)..Just and example. Be sure power is off and battery is pulled prior to unplugging the CCFL leads or ribbon for that matter.

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