Monitor - flickering-loose wire?

by 3labradors Jul 26, 2007 11:39AM PDT

I have a Gateway7330 laptop. It's about 2-2 1/2 years old. The monitor flickers. It seems like it's a loose wire, if I close the monitor and then bring it back up and adjust it to a certain angle it will stop the flickering. I need to move my monitor around a bit to make it stop. Once it is in the right position and I don't move it at all it is fine.

It of course is out of warranty. When it was under warranty, this was happening and I sent it in to be repaired, it's now doing it again.

Any suggestions-is this an easy fix or should I bring it to a professional?

Thanks for any help with this.

Discussion is locked

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3labradors

by tomron Jul 26, 2007 1:22PM PDT

Google shows some possible solutions.LINK,one link mentions that the monitor is to close to the tv.

I suppose you didn't ask the repair shop what the repair was.

Tom

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not flickering in that sense

by 3labradors Jul 26, 2007 10:52PM PDT

It flickers only to the point of the monitor needs to be adjusted to a certain angle. If not than it flickers to the point of going black. I'm afraid if I don't repair it soon it will go black and never return. My solution now is to just keep closing and reopening the case until the monitor is at a certain angle where it stops. I think the more I type, the vibration may be making the wire move and then the flickering starts, I pull down my monitor to close up the notebook and readjust the angle so it won't black out on me.

It does not flicker like you see the computer monitor flicker through a news report where they are showing you a computer screen-hope I can explain that right. It has nothing to do with being near a tv.

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It does sound suspiciously

by El Alquimista Jul 26, 2007 1:33PM PDT

like a bad connection -- and no, I don't think there is an easy fix. Unfortunately, this seems to be a job for the repair shop. But check the cost. If they say the screen or mobo should be replaced, you may well be better off with a new system -- especially considering the fact that it has happened twice in 2.5 years. There may be a design defect that will recur again in about a year.

Frank

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Re: Solutions

by 3labradors Jul 26, 2007 10:38PM PDT

I thought about it after, I will contact Gateway to find out what repair they did on it. Then I will try other solutions posted up here. Thanks.

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called gateway

by 3labradors Jul 26, 2007 11:33PM PDT

I called Gateway, (I had a lot of difficulty finally getting through) and they said they replaced a cable and replaced the invertaboard(sp?). There was a 90 day warranty on it. It was done 7/26/06.

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Yes, a bad inverter board

by El Alquimista Jul 27, 2007 8:37AM PDT

can cause flicker on a laptop screen. However, the positioinal sensitivity you mention does suggest the cable(s) that run up through the hinge and are flexed evey time you open or close the case.

You might try a simple test. If there is a position where the screen is "black", look for a faint image of the current display (shining a flashlight on the screen may help). If you can see an image, the inverter and/or its cable is the problem. If there is no image, the LCD screen signals are missing or the LCD is bad.

If you wish, you may get a new inverter at this site or others. But be careful; some laptop manufacturers have been known to make "minor" modifications within a single model number. Check the part number. You should also replace the cable(s) at the same time.

Before deciding on DIY repair, you might want to take a look at this procedure for replacing the inverter. While I do not hesitate to tear into desktops for rebuilding or repair, I do not go into laptops. I have seen "simple" jobs turn into several hundred dollars, or even complete replacement.

Hope this helps a little

Frank

Monitor - flickering-loose wire?

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