usmc10803

Okay here's the sequence of events...

About 3 months ago, I turned it on and I had a very dim LCD and could barely see anything. I flashed a light on it and could see it a little better--enough to know it was actually being displayed. I plugged it into an external monitor and it worked fine--so that is the way I left it.

Now, however, it will no longer display on my external monitor and when I shine a light on the laptop LCD, I cannot see anything. The weird part is my external monitor power light flashes when there is no signal, and it flashes until I plug it into the laptop--then it goes solid but never displays anything. So it appears as if the laptop is sending some form of signal to the monitor (??).

I guess this is a clear-cut case that the graphics card is toast, and it is a ATI Radeon Mobility 7500c integrated--so I will have to replace the entire motherboard I assume.

My main interest of posting this thread is to get a second opinion (based on the sequence of events); I don't want to order a motherboard without being confident it is the correct and only answer. Furthermore, do you think the bulb could be bad as well (since it originally did work faintly)?

I read some past threads and the inverter was mentioned... I have the laptop disassembled right now, so how would I tell if it is the inverter and what would be required to fix it? Finally, I need to get a smaller screwdriver to finish taking apart the LCD, so I have not been able to access the bulb yet.

Thanks in advance for all your help and I apologize for the long post but I guess more details are better than less! hahaha. I appreciate any advice/comments people have for me.

macten

How old is this laptop?

I just ordered a Gateway NX570X with 3 year extended warranty. I got the ATI video card (not shared RAM).

It sounds like the mobo needs replacing but I'm no expert. Have you priced out a new mobo? Might be better to replace the laptop...

usmc10803

This laptop is a few years old and it's about $120 for the new mobo; I could buy the whole new laptop for about $350-400. If this wasn't a gift, it would be a no-brainer--get a different laptop and sell this thing for parts. I would never buy a gateway, everybody I know with a gateway had headaches! Once again though, this was a gift... thanks for your reply. Hopefully you'll have better luck with your gateway!

P.S. Good choice with the extended warranty! lol.

macten

I've had a Gateway 400vtx for 4.5 years. Lost the sound under the 3 yr. ext warr and they replaced the mobo. Still going strong, no other problems.

The only reason I bought a new one is that I have to learn how to support Vista. Should be here on the 26th. They gave me $325 in discounts: $200 off aniversary sale and another $125 for being a repeat customer.

cookiefiend1228

alright, here's one for you guys. i have the same system, 450ROG i think the backlight went, cuz i was able to see a faint image on the lcd but using an external monitor worked fine, and i just got around to trying to fix it. i bought a new inverter board, and ribbon cable. everything is together but now i only get just a bright white display. (see pic) any ideas? video card blown? i am able to still use the external and sound works fine.

TriggerFinger

Hi,

blank LCD but icons seen with a use of a flashlight could mean a busted backlight or inverter. very hard to pin point which if you do not have another or spare LCD or inverter to play around with.

no display but good with external monitor can also mean a dead LCD (not necessarily the backlight), a dead inverter or a loose cable.

no display even on external monitor can mean a dead video card or yes, you can say a dead motherboard as video cards for laptops are soldered in to place.

i hope that helps. i apologize for not being too detailed or thorough but this practically covers most of it.