Any computer experts out there?

There's something seriously wrong with my computer all the sudden.

The screen has a redish tint to it and it's somewhat difficult to see much of anything. If I plug in it into the power thing the screen gets super dark and it's basically impossible to read anything. Even when it isn't plugged in this happens after a few minutes and I have to put the computer in hibernate and then wake it up in order to see anything. I have papers due this week for finals and I can't access my computer for more than a few minutes at a time. Am I totally here or is there something I can do?


UPDATE: As I'm in the middle of typing this message it happened again. I can't even see what I wrote so forgive me if there's spelling errors or something. I'll check back every now and then and see if there's any posts here. If I don't reply it's only because I can't use the computer for more than 5 minutes or so at a time

more info: if I shine a flashlight on the screen I can sort of see. I wonder how long these batteries will last?

ALSO: Yes, I adjusted the brightness already, I'm not that stupid.

EDIT: Hey, a lamp helps, too. That's better than the flashlight but still pretty bad.

uh oh... I had this happen to me, the exact same thing and I had to replace the monitor

SoulRat wrote:

uh oh... I had this happen to me, the exact same thing and I had to replace the monitor

Hey, I can read this (thanks to my trusty flashlight).

But it's a laptop - how can you replace the "montitor". I have a 15 page paper due tomorrow. It's basically done I just have to edit it and e-mail it to the professor. It took me like 10 minutes to read the 2 sentences you wrote to me, I can't imagine trying to edit a 15 page paper this way.

This really sucks. All morning my internet didn't work and I was pissed off and kept calling the internet company and the machine said there was no such person at my phone number and I couldn't get a real person. I went to school until the libraries closed and come back and the internet worked

That celebration didn't last long - I had lunch and when I came back I thought the screensaver was on but it wasn't

well since it's a laptop, I have no idea then, sorry

SoulRat wrote:

well since it's a laptop, I have no idea then, sorry

/me commits suicide

See if you can borrow someones monitor and plug it into the laptop. If you can see, then something is dying in the laptop screen. (this happened to my stupid HP laptop after the warranty ran out!)

If that does not work, your computer may be over heating due to dust inside (use compressed air can to blow it out, through the heat openings) or the processor fan may be dead, overheating the system.

Or, you had a power surge through your internet or power lines, frying the video circuit.

If it is the screen, you can do like I did and just use a secondary monitor. (LCD replacement repair inserts normally cost more than buying a new cheapy computer or an LCD monitor!)

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

See if you can borrow someones monitor and plug it into the laptop. If you can see, then something is dying in the laptop screen. (this happened to my stupid HP laptop after the warranty ran out!)

If that does not work, your computer may be over heating due to dust inside (use compressed air can to blow it out, through the heat openings) or the processor fan may be dead, overheating the system.

Or, you had a power surge through your internet or power lines, frying the video circuit.

If it is the screen, you can do like I did and just use a secondary monitor. (LCD replacement repair inserts normally cost more than buying a new cheapy computer or an LCD monitor!)

I *think* I read your message.

The power surge thing might be it. I was using my computer this morning and my screen got black. I shut the laptop and opened it and it seemed fine. The internet was no longer working at this point and I didn't stick around to see how the screen was working. When I came back the computer was asleep, I woke it up and the internet worked so I had lunch. When I got back on the computer after lunch I noticed the problem.

THat makes me think the video circuit is fried .

My neighbors don' own a patch cord that would allow me to test it on a TV or another monitor. I don't own one either. I guess I'll go home tomorrow night after I fail my finals that I can't study for. I mean I have the books, but who studies with books these days?

Back to the matter at hand, if I go home tomorrow I'll buy a cord and see if it works on another monitor/TV and then I'll price what repairs would cost. I really don't want to buy another computer right now, especially a laptop as we have so many computers at home I really don't need another one. If the repair is going to cost a fortune that doesn't seem like a good idea either. Why couldn't this have waited until September? Then I won't need a laptop anymore so who cares if this one dies.

UPDATE:

I bought a new backlight. Wow! LCD screens are very complicated when you open them up :haha:

Here's some pictures to give you an idea of what I went through (stock photos, I didn't take these):












After all that it was loads of fun putting it all back together I have about 20 screws that I couldn't figure out where they went. The laptop almost works. I have some strange lines on the screen and the right side of the screen is all white. If I think of it I'll take a picture later.

Good luck, you are more adventursome than I! If the screen is white on the side where you put the backlight, it sounds like it is not seated correctly, or some of the contacts are not properly lined up yet.

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Good luck, you are more adventursome than I! If the screen is white on the side where you put the backlight, it sounds like it is not seated correctly, or some of the contacts are not properly lined up yet.

So I have to take it apart again

I might just leave it as-is for a while. I'm using a monitor in LA and when I'm not here 80% of the screen is still usable, maybe even 90%.

catbox, you are a born surgeon!

:haha: