lcd problems

srna · 12-13-2006, 07:07 PM

Hello everybody!

I am having some problems with my VAIO PCG-K25 lcd.

Yesterday, as I turned it on (it was in stand-by), my lcd started flashing for a couple of minutes. It stopped eventually and everything was fine. This morning, though, as I turned on my laptop, the screen was entirely black until I moved towards me and all of a sudden the screen was fine.
I have read some stuff about this and it seems to me that there might be something wrong with either the inverter or the backlight. Am I right? How can you tell the difference? Oh, I forgot to say that I have noticed lately that the LCD is just not as bright as it used to be.
Now, the warranty is not good anymore; I suspect they will charge a fortune to replace this. Is there any way for me to figure out what's wrong and replace it myself?

I really DO NOT want to get another one (I love this one!

). Also, how long do I have before it goes completely black--in other words, should I start backing-up?

BeastlyKings · 12-13-2006, 09:45 PM

Sounds like a classic case of burnt out inverter problem.
But someone of higher knowledge should verify this before you take any action.

-BeastlyKings

**TheMatt** · 12-14-2006, 12:54 PM

Try an external monitor. If it works fine, then it is likley a problem with the LCD. Have you tried using the Fn key combinations to adjust the display brightness? That might be why it is dimmer, sometimes you accidentallly lower the brightness.

srna · 12-14-2006, 08:54 PM

first off, thanx for replying.

my lcd is working fine at the moment. i haven't had any problems with it since yesterday. so, connecting it to an external monitor won't tell me anything, right? i just fear that the problems i had yesterday and the day before are just a warning for what is to come.

i guess, i will just have to wait and see...

**TheMatt** · 12-14-2006, 09:07 PM

Sometimes monitors can act "funky". If the dimming of the screen is not a result of pressing the Fn key combinations and it is gradually getting dimmer, then it could very well be a failing backlight.

srna · 12-14-2006, 09:24 PM

no, the brightness is at its maximum. that's the first thing i tried.

like, i said, it's working good today. will just have to see what tomorrow brings.

thanx for all the help!

jro · 12-15-2006, 10:54 PM

If it is a problem with the inverter and backlight then the issue is that only Sony and their authorized repair centers have access to new inverter/backlight kits. There is information about repairing it yourself on the internet and it does not look too difficult but getting the parts is another thing.

Not the way I would go personally, but you can sometimes pick up the pieces on Ebay. Buyer beware....

srna · 12-16-2006, 10:17 AM

hello again!

well, really weird things are happening. Yesterdays as well as today, when I turned on the laptop the screen was entirely black. If I look really closely, I can vaguely see what's on the screen. BUT, if I tilt the screen all the way back (make it horizontal), then tilt it towards me, the screen turns on and works fine. So, any suggestions? I mean, this is really insane!

jro · 12-16-2006, 03:20 PM

I am not sure, but it sounds like a loose connection where the backlight and the inverter connect. You might want to take a look at this website

Code:

http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop_8.htm

The author describes how to pull apart your screen and replace the back light. Maybe you could find a faulty connection.

This happened on my wife's computer not that long ago. Maybe this is a week point on the Vaio series.

Good Luck!

srna · 12-17-2006, 03:45 PM

i will get someone to look into that. i don't think i should attempt it!

thanx!

jro · 12-17-2006, 03:51 PM

Understood. I get a little intimidated myself. I think the main thing is you can do it. Just go slow and make sure you find all the screws that hold the bezel in place.

Good luck!

12-13-2006, 07:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
srna Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 15 OS: XP	lcd problems Hello everybody! I am having some problems with my VAIO PCG-K25 lcd. Yesterday, as I turned it on (it was in stand-by), my lcd started flashing for a couple of minutes. It stopped eventually and everything was fine. This morning, though, as I turned on my laptop, the screen was entirely black until I moved towards me and all of a sudden the screen was fine. I have read some stuff about this and it seems to me that there might be something wrong with either the inverter or the backlight. Am I right? How can you tell the difference? Oh, I forgot to say that I have noticed lately that the LCD is just not as bright as it used to be. Now, the warranty is not good anymore; I suspect they will charge a fortune to replace this. Is there any way for me to figure out what's wrong and replace it myself? I really DO NOT want to get another one (I love this one! ). Also, how long do I have before it goes completely black--in other words, should I start backing-up?

12-14-2006, 12:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Try an external monitor. If it works fine, then it is likley a problem with the LCD. Have you tried using the Fn key combinations to adjust the display brightness? That might be why it is dimmer, sometimes you accidentallly lower the brightness. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

12-14-2006, 09:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Sometimes monitors can act "funky". If the dimming of the screen is not a result of pressing the Fn key combinations and it is gradually getting dimmer, then it could very well be a failing backlight. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

12-16-2006, 03:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
jro Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 53 OS: xp	I am not sure, but it sounds like a loose connection where the backlight and the inverter connect. You might want to take a look at this website Code: http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop_8.htm The author describes how to pull apart your screen and replace the back light. Maybe you could find a faulty connection. This happened on my wife's computer not that long ago. Maybe this is a week point on the Vaio series. Good Luck!

12-13-2006, 09:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
BeastlyKings Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 106 OS: Ubuntu Linux 7.10 32Bit My System	Sounds like a classic case of burnt out inverter problem. But someone of higher knowledge should verify this before you take any action. -BeastlyKings

12-14-2006, 08:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
srna Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 15 OS: XP	first off, thanx for replying. my lcd is working fine at the moment. i haven't had any problems with it since yesterday. so, connecting it to an external monitor won't tell me anything, right? i just fear that the problems i had yesterday and the day before are just a warning for what is to come. i guess, i will just have to wait and see...

12-14-2006, 09:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
srna Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 15 OS: XP	no, the brightness is at its maximum. that's the first thing i tried. like, i said, it's working good today. will just have to see what tomorrow brings. thanx for all the help!

12-15-2006, 10:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
jro Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 53 OS: xp	If it is a problem with the inverter and backlight then the issue is that only Sony and their authorized repair centers have access to new inverter/backlight kits. There is information about repairing it yourself on the internet and it does not look too difficult but getting the parts is another thing. Not the way I would go personally, but you can sometimes pick up the pieces on Ebay. Buyer beware....

12-16-2006, 10:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
srna Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 15 OS: XP	hello again! well, really weird things are happening. Yesterdays as well as today, when I turned on the laptop the screen was entirely black. If I look really closely, I can vaguely see what's on the screen. BUT, if I tilt the screen all the way back (make it horizontal), then tilt it towards me, the screen turns on and works fine. So, any suggestions? I mean, this is really insane!

12-17-2006, 03:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
srna Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 15 OS: XP	i will get someone to look into that. i don't think i should attempt it! thanx!

12-17-2006, 03:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
jro Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 53 OS: xp	Understood. I get a little intimidated myself. I think the main thing is you can do it. Just go slow and make sure you find all the screws that hold the bezel in place. Good luck!