RayRayRay

Hi,

My laptop (Sony Vaio VGN-FJ270) had a water damage *over a year ago* (water leakage from 2F got to my laptop which was on the kitchen counter). After I let it dry out for a few days, I brought it to a local repair shop and also sent it to SONY but I was told the damages done and it'd die eventually and not worth spending lots of money fixing it. At that point, it was still working functionally but left with a very dim/almost black LCD.

Just the other day I turned the power on and found it is still working. So I thought I may give it a shot to fix it. Could you tell me if the problem of the very dim screen is definitely from a bad backlight or/and inverter? I browsed around for laptop parts and found I can get a backlight for $10 and inverter for about $60. I am willing to pay up to $100 if it can bring back a good LCD. Could you give me your opinion/advise what's the best thing to do? Also, is it very difficult to replace backlight/inverter?


Thanks!

TriggerFinger

If you are willing to pay a hundred, buy a pre-owned LCD. It might cost you a bit more if you include the inverter. That way it is easier to replace compared to replacing a backlight.

If you only have to choose one to buy, start with the inverter.

wrench97

It is doable not the simplest task but if your handy you can do it, Here is 1 set of instructions with images it for a Toshibia but screen are pretty much the same there are some others just Google "Replace Laptop LCD" .

http://www.laptoprepair101.com/lapto...ght-ccfl-lamp/

RayRayRay

Thanks for your reply!

Tigger -

I searched on eBay for replacement LCD and only new ones came up around $150. Other than being extremely dim, my LCD is perfect when I hook it up with an external screen so I'd like to keep mine and try replacing the parts. Your suggestion about starting with the inverter, is it because of the easier installation comparing to backlight or the dim screen is more likely caused by failed inverter rather than backlight?

wrench -

Thanks for the link. It seems the best instruction with detailed pictures and I'll definitely use it if I try to replace backlight myself.

TriggerFinger

RayRayRay

Tigger -

I meant *perfect* as there's no dead pixel and it works just fine when I hook it up with an external monitor.

After googling some more, I realized installing backlight is quite a delicate task and maybe I shouldn't be messing with. I'll get an inverter and if that doesn't solve the problem, I'll consider a new LCD. I hope it's the inverter and I wouldn't have to invest too much for this laptop as it was damaged by water even it still works for now ;)

RayRayRay

Hi,

It's been a while since I started this thread and I finally got a chance to try to fix this problem now. I bought off an used inverter from eBay and replaced it but the backlight is still not lit. Although the eBay seller had a really good rating and I trust them:

How could I test this inverter if it's working correctly?
Do the repair shops test parts for a small price?

I'm planning to get a new LCD screen w backlight next : If that doesn't fix it, what could it be?

As for replacing LCD, after removing bezel : Is there anything else holding the screen to the case? Mine (Vaio FJ270) doesn not move when I try to take it out after bezel removed.


Thank you.

wrench97

If the screen is dark I would bet the back light is bad, there are usually some small Philips head screws holding the lcd panel to the frame.

RayRayRay

Hi,

Just need your inputs those who often get stuff of eBay. What makes the price so different for the LCD screens? Even same seller and same model vary their prices. I asked one seller and got an answer that it depends on how they list on different place and time and suggested to get cheaper one for a better bargain. But I wonder how the quality if there's $100 difference from the same seller. Can you give me a good advice on how to pick on new LCD form eBay? Thanks!

beut

Read a seller's feedback, particular from buyers who bought that LCD. High positive feedbacks is the one you should buy.

RayRayRay

Hey, thanks for your reply. What about the price difference? Is it basically higher the better (as I mentioned in my previous post, same seller and same LCD model and price can vary up to $100)?

beut

One seller can sell the same item with different prices as some buyers don't search carefully for price, time end, etc...

A seller may lower the price if there're many competitors sell the same item or Ebay has some promotion of reducing fees...etc
Price can go up or down depending on the rule of supply and demand. One more thing, seller cannot change the price of a listing with mutiple items if one was sold. That's reason you see different prices from the same seller.

wrench97

Try looking here> http://www.smartmicrousa.com/sony_lcd_screen.aspx

Get the part number off the tag on the back of the screen to make sure you get the correct one.

RayRayRay

Thanks for your reply and advice.

wrench-
Thanks for the link. As you might be aware, they also got a store at eBay and I was looking at them as well. They have the best rating and LCD come with good warranty.

Just one more question before I'll get a screen. If replacing the LCD does not solve the problem, what else is the possible cause of black screen? I've read it's almost always backlight or/and inverter but my problem was caused by water damage vs backlight/inverter went out of their life span. I'd like to know this so I can plan on how much to spend on LCD and leave some budget for whatever the solution would be.

Thanks!

beut

Water damage is very difficult to troubleshot unless you have good parts for testing. It could be your lcd, or the connector on motherboard where the lcd cable connected.
So it's could be lcd or motherboard. However, Sony didn't want to fix, I guess probably they didn't want to charge both lcd and motherboard, a safe approach to fix water damage case.

RayRayRay

Yea, estimate from SONY came out $3600 ($3400 for the parts and $100 for labor and S&H etc for the rest amount).

If new LCD doesn't fix it, would you suggest to get motherboard next? Is installing MB very difficult for non tech person like myself? I am really hoping LCD will do it, tho.

Thanks!

RayRayRay

I just checked the price of motherboard on eBay... quite discouraging.

After all it's 3 yo laptop and I wouldn't want to invest fortune especially not knowing if it'd work or not. It's a shame nice laptop is sitting around w/o display.

I did mention in my previous post that I got *used* inverter and it didn't work. How could I test if it's good? Could I take it to repair shop and do they test for me?

beut

Replace laptop's motherboard is not easy compared with desktop as it's very compact. If a new lcd doesn't solve problem, I suggest just keep this laptop and use an external monitor.

beut

Here is how to test inverter, be carefull with the output of inverter as it's high voltage AC current in the range of 500-700V.

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