Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Why would a new LCD show the same 'cracks'...

Apr 8, 2017 1:33AM PDT

Had a friend bring me an HP pavilion G7 with a cracked screen. So we jump on Amazon and order up an LCD.

Received it today, installed it without a hitch, powered up, and the same exact cracks appear.
Can someone help me figure out what's going on here?

The laptop suffered an impact of some sort on the right side, and something is certainly 'off'...

See photo ... and realize, that's a brand new LCD I just put in it.
Thank you

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Re: cracks
Apr 8, 2017 3:49AM PDT

How is the image on an external screen?

- Collapse -
shows fine through HDMI on TV
Apr 8, 2017 9:36AM PDT

Shows A-OK on the TV through HDMI

- Collapse -
Answer
Those are not cracks.
Apr 8, 2017 9:26AM PDT

Those are defects in the video system. It's one of the following parts. LCD, connections from LCD to motherboard, motherboard. Very few laptops have a video card so check if yours has such a card.

- Collapse -
Thanks for the post.
Apr 8, 2017 9:37AM PDT

How to diagnose ...?

- Collapse -
By swapping those parts with good ones.
Apr 8, 2017 9:49AM PDT

It may come as a shock to some, but this is how it's done in the service centers. The tech looks at it, gets the parts they suspect and swaps.

- Collapse -
My situation
Apr 8, 2017 9:52AM PDT

My situation is ... waiting for parts in the mail.

Now I have a good screen I don't need, will look up the returns process with Amazon, ugh.

If I had a warehouse of parts, the answer would be simple, trial and error. That's why I was hoping it could be diagnosed somehow. Obviously the mobo is good and not zapped out, there's a start.

- Collapse -
It can be the motherboard.
Apr 8, 2017 4:30PM PDT

That's where the LCD connects to. HDMI or external video uses other connections and such.

Now I can't know if this LCD has "other boards." When we replace the LCD, we do this for cracks. The fault you showed looks like LCD driver errors or motherboard.

- Collapse -
Inverter
Apr 8, 2017 4:00PM PDT

Does this one have an inverter?
I gave a serious college try search,... and can't find a definitive answer.

Wondering what to order ... can't be just the cable ... it could , but ... can't be heh

Cannot find much on this topic with this HP G7 model and solutions.

Thanks!

- Collapse -
LED displays don't use inverters.
Apr 8, 2017 4:36PM PDT

You're thinking CCFL back lights. Which this is not from my research.

Here's some priors about Vertical lines on LCDs.
https://www.google.com/search?q=vertical+lines+on+LCD&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

Here's a video showing a common loose wiring/connection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftHa-3caedg

The thing is, we always try cleaning this connection and tightening it up because parts beyond panel and cable mean the laptop is BER (beyond economical repair.)

Watch the next video to see how to clean and what compound to use on those connections.

Post was last edited on April 9, 2017 8:26 AM PDT

- Collapse -
PS. BIOS.
Apr 9, 2017 8:25AM PDT

I don't suspect a BIOS issue here.

- Collapse -
Answer
Bios
Apr 8, 2017 10:59PM PDT

What does the bios look like on the laptop screen?

- Collapse -
Bios?
Apr 9, 2017 6:52AM PDT

Never checked it. The computer is operating fine ... *shrug*
What should I look for?

Checked with another person and he swears up & down it's the screen.

- Collapse -
Look for
Apr 10, 2017 1:20AM PDT

See if the cracks appear if you bring up the bios screens.

- Collapse -
Re: BIOS?
Apr 10, 2017 1:26AM PDT

You changed the screen and the 'cracks' still are there. So you proved that it isn't the screen, didn't you? What makes that other person still think it isn't?