tony873004

Hi, I posted last week about my Gateway laptop screen problem. I decided to bring it to the repair shop instead of attempt to fix it myself. After keeping the computer for 24 hours, they call me and tell me I need a new screen: ~$250 parts. They get it shipped express because I needed the computer for the weekend when I go away.

Today the screen arrives, and they tell me they still can't fix it. It also has a bad inverter. ~$40 parts, They need to order one and my computer will not be ready until next week.

I don't want to be taken advantage of. I never thought the problem was the screen. I suspect there never was a problem with the screen, but that they will tell me that both the screen and inverter needed replacing so they can avoid returning the expensive screen.

So my question: How likely is it that both the screen and the inverter will go bad at the same time? (I don't even know what an inverter is )

I'm a troubleshooting technician myself, not for computer, but for home alarm systems. I've misdiagnosed things before and had the boss pressure me into telling the customer that both parts were bad so they wouldn't insist on a refund for the replacement of a good part. (I resisted his pressure and told the customer the truth. It pi**ed off the boss )

I got burned by paying overnight shipping on the screen since the computer will not be ready in time for me when I go out of town this weekend. Should I insist they pick up that cost? Assuming both the inverter and screen are bad, should they have realized this in time to order both at the same time?

What is the policy in the computer repair industry? Are they obligated to return the old parts to me? If so, is there anyway I can determine if the old screen is still good?

Maybe I'm being paranoid. Pehaps I will return next week to have them tell me: Sorry, it was only the inverter, we shipped the new screen back to the manufacturer.

Here's a description of the original problem:
For several months, the screen on my laptop flickered. There are 2 different brightnesses, one for AC power, and one for battery power. It would flicker between these 2 brightnesses, and occasionally it would momentarily flicker to black screen. Usually pivoting the screen around, or giving the computer a gentle tap on the side would make the flickering go away. But as time went on, it got worse. Last week, the screen went black. Occasionally, it would flicker on to full brightness, but then quickly back to black.

Thanks your your attention

Terrister

There are 3 parts to a laptop screen. The screen,the inverter and a light called the backlight.

The inverter powers the backlight.

From what you told us, I would say the inverter was the problem all along.

Not sure what the laws are in your state. If I were you, I would ask the shop to replace the inverter and try it with the old display. If it still does not work, try the new display.