Display has a short

shari · 04-16-2008, 01:35 AM

The display on my laptop is acting like it might have a short. I have no idea how it's connected so I don't know if that's even possible. Now and then the display goes black, then as I move the computer it sort of flashes from black to light. It makes me think of a short because it reminds me of how a light with a bad connection will flash on and off.

Does this sound like something that can be fixed or is it just a matter of time before it goes black and doesn't come back?

If it matters, my laptop is an HP Pavilion ze4900. It has an Intel(R) 82852/82855 GM/GME Graphics Controller. I have sort of intermediate tech skills but no experience with this sort of thing.

**TriggerFinger** · 04-16-2008, 01:40 AM

hi shari,

test it first in safe mode. if same thing happens, test it with external monitor. does this happen only when you move the laptop (even the slightest movement)?

shari · 04-16-2008, 09:49 PM

This doesn't happen every time I use the computer, just now and then. It's definately not every time I move it. I'll have to take it into Safe Mode and play with it for awhile to see if I can get it to do it. I'll get back to you.

**Terrister** · 04-17-2008, 08:44 AM

Next time it blacks out, shine a flashlight on the screen. See if you can see an image. If so, the backlight or inverter are not working correctly. If it comes back when you move it, it may be a bad connection.

04-16-2008, 01:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
shari Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Utah Posts: 28 OS: Win XP	Display has a short The display on my laptop is acting like it might have a short. I have no idea how it's connected so I don't know if that's even possible. Now and then the display goes black, then as I move the computer it sort of flashes from black to light. It makes me think of a short because it reminds me of how a light with a bad connection will flash on and off. Does this sound like something that can be fixed or is it just a matter of time before it goes black and doesn't come back? If it matters, my laptop is an HP Pavilion ze4900. It has an Intel(R) 82852/82855 GM/GME Graphics Controller. I have sort of intermediate tech skills but no experience with this sort of thing.

04-16-2008, 01:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,791 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Display has a short hi shari, test it first in safe mode. if same thing happens, test it with external monitor. does this happen only when you move the laptop (even the slightest movement)? __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

04-16-2008, 09:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
shari Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Utah Posts: 28 OS: Win XP	Re: Display has a short This doesn't happen every time I use the computer, just now and then. It's definately not every time I move it. I'll have to take it into Safe Mode and play with it for awhile to see if I can get it to do it. I'll get back to you.

04-17-2008, 08:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	Re: Display has a short Next time it blacks out, shine a flashlight on the screen. See if you can see an image. If so, the backlight or inverter are not working correctly. If it comes back when you move it, it may be a bad connection. __________________