DarrylLeeOHS30

Hi everyone! I recently purchased a Dell SmartStep 200N on eBay for a pretty good price, and during shipping the LCD screen had been cracked. So, while the claim was being fulfilled by the USPS, I was without the computer for a bout 2 months, and I just got it back yesterday.. and that's when I put in the new LCD screen that I bought.

I have the screen installed and everything put back together, and the screen works pretty good, but sometimes that backlight will go off, like the computer thinks the lid is shut, and the only way to see the screen is to put the computer under a light. Last night I had it sitting on my stove under the light in there:D lol.. but anyway, the only thing I can do for it is restart the computer, then its ok for a few minutes and it may or may not go off again. It does it sort of randomly.

If anyone has any experience or knowledge about this problem, I would appreciate any help anyone has to offer.

Thanks alot.

DarrylLeeOHS30

edit:
So now the backlight is gone completely. Used to it would come back after I restarted, but now nothing. I have to shine a flashlight or something similar on the screen before it works.

help, please? thanks so much.

TheMatt

Hi,

Check that the connection between the screen and motherboard. If that isn't it, it might be a failing inverter, but a loose connection seems more likely.

DarrylLeeOHS30

what all would it envolve to check the motherboard-screen connection? And do you mean the connection that hooks to the screen its self, or to the inverter to the screen?

The one to the screen its self is working properly, because I can see images on the screen, its just that the backlight is out.

If it's going to be a big job to check that connection I'm going to buy an inverter somewhere and try that first and then go from there.

TheMatt

Sorry for not clarifying. Check both. Just be careful not to run the laptop while doing this.

DarrylLeeOHS30

thanks for the quick reply. I just spent the last few minutes taking out about 50 screws and I still can't get the top off to expose the motherboard to check the connections. I think I'm going to buy an inverter and just try it as it seems to be the far easier thing to check.

problem is, I can't really find one. i checked eBay, (thats probably the only place I can afford to get one)... but does anyone know of somewhere else that carries parts for older dell computers?

TheMatt

You're inverter is here:
http://www.impactcomputers.com/7t404.html

You should be able to reuse the inverter cable.

To check the motherboard connection, you have to un-snap the flat panel that is right below the base of the monitor. This is usually pulled up without any screws. Be careful, it can be easy to break.

DarrylLeeOHS30

thanks for that link. ouch on the price though. Hopefully i'll be able to find one on eBay in a few days!
I didn't know that's all I had to do to check the botherboard connection, I'll do that first!

thanks again.

DarrylLeeOHS30

At the beginning of the week, I purchased an "Inverter Repair" off of eBay, where I ship it to them, they fix whats wrong with it, and send it back. Only about $20, so it wasn't too bad of a deal.

But in the meantime, I hooked up my regular desktop monitor to the computer (what I should've done first before spending the money for the inverter repair).... and the computer booted up, got to the XP Splash screen, then it started up and showed the desktop for about 30 seconds, then the monitor turned off.

What else could be causing this? I'm just about ready to put this thing on eBay and say it has an "Unknown Problem", cut my losses, and buy another laptop. Unless of course, you folks here can help me once again;)

DarrylLeeOHS30

Just ordered an Inspiron E1405 Dual Core from Dell, and listed this SmartStep 200N on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=300115357337

^^ Someone check it out, its probably something little to fix. I just need a working notebook soon/now, and would obviously take me some time to fix. But anyway, my loss is your gain.

TheMatt

It sounds like it is defaulting from the BIOS controling the external monitor to the operating system (Windows), and Windows isn't configured to do it.

There is usually a Fn+Function key combination that will switch between the external monitor and laptop monitor. Check the manual for which it is.

If you can manage to see the screen enough to make the switch, you can enable the external monitor from within Windows.

DarrylLeeOHS30

You got it! What do we have for him johnny?!?! :D

lol, that ended up working, the FN+F3 switched it and I'm posting from it (with an external monitor) as we speak. I guess only time will tell if the inverter was the problem with the laptop's real screen or not. If so, I just went in to $800 worth of debt for no reason , but this computer is pretty old and I guess an upgrade is justifyable.

but, being in working condition, it will sell better on eBay!

Everyone, the new link for the laptop's auction is:

It's working good now. I had to relist it because of a fradualent eBayer...

TheMatt

Glad the external monitor is working. Do you need any more help?

DarrylLeeOHS30

Not with this computer. However, I have posted a new thread about my new one :D.. lol

DarrylLeeOHS30

I got the supposedly "fixed" inverter through the mail today.

Hooked it up to the laptop, and sparks flew everywhere, starting a small flame.

soooo i'm not sure if just the inverter is ruined or if it toasted the whole computer, but either way, I have a thing or two to say to the guy I payed to "fix" it.

TheMatt

The inverter is a high voltage area, so if you hooked it up wrong accidentally, that would happen. Generally the connector is designed so it can only be plugged in one way, though.

Hopefully it didn't feedback into the video card. If the graphics card had diode protection (which I think is unlikely unfortunately) or you were lucky, then it will not have been damaged, and you can continue using the external monitor.

DarrylLeeOHS30

I hooked it up right. Because I accidentally had it turned around the first time and it wouldn't allow it to connect.

The whole thing didn't spark,it was one little area. I'm not sure how to describe it, I guess I could say it was one little "button" area that sparked.

When I turn the laptop with the inverter connected now, the backlight comes on for the first second (if that) after hitting the power button. Then it the backlight goes off. I can still see the main LCD, its just not backlit. Ive not tried with the external monitor yet. This thing is probably gonna go to the pawn shop, lol.

TheMatt

The inverter shorted out.

Contact the guy you bought it from. Unless you spilled water on it, this shouldn't have happened.

DarrylLeeOHS30

I e-mailed him. He said, yes you can send it back if you want.. and I can help you once again.... psssh yeah okay.

i am sendin it back and if it does it again... well idk what i'll do but i'll do something. lol