[s0nginmyheart]

Hi all,

This morning I turned on my laptop and there were no issues on my screen , but when I got to the office and powered up, I noticed my screen started to looked pixelated almost (thinking it is video card related). I've attached a screen shot of my desktop where you can see some of the areas that basically look funky (red and green pixels). Any insight on what the issue may be would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Tyree]

Brand & complete Model Number of the laptop?
Most laptops use onboard graphics.
I see you're in IL. and it' cold here today. Was the laptop given time to reach room temperature before powering on?

 

[s0nginmyheart]

I guess I forgot the most important part! It is an HP ProBook 4520s. It is about 3 years old.

I am in the car for about an hour with the heat running (laptop bag in the front seat). It is my usual routine. Laptop powers on as soon as I walk in the office. Never had a problem until today.

And as I am writing this reply now, the screen is flickering!!!

 

[Tyree]

That unit uses onboard for graphics.
Try connecting to a PC monitor. That will determine if the screen or the onboard graphics is the problem.

 

[s0nginmyheart]

Okay, so my laptop basically started flickering and then horizontal lines everywhere and then I couldn't see the screen anymore or do anything else. I hopped onto another laptop and came back to this post - I guess the red and green pixelations are not on the screen shot I took

Laptop right now is in black screen "checking file system on C:" going through some sort of recovery.

As soon as that is done, and if possible, I can try and connect to a desktop monitor and report back.

Thank you for your assistance so far!

 

[Tyree]

I see no pixelation, only blurry icons in the upper left and lower right portions of the screen shot.
From your descriptions, it would appear either the screen is faulty or, more likely, the Mobo/graphics is failing.

 

[s0nginmyheart]

I blurred the folders I had on the upper left and lower right (personal/sensitive information). And as mentioned, I hopped on to this post from another computer and noticed the pixelations are not there.

The recovery scan is done, and my laptop powered back on normally... the pixelations are gone - is there something I should still check and hopefully prevent this from happening again?

I took a camera shot of the splash screen from earlier (so you don't think I am crazy):

 

[Tyree]

You can't fix what's not broken and we do not think you're not of sound mind. :smile:
If the problem returns, post back.

 

[s0nginmyheart]

Hi, the issue came back yesterday. (Just the pixelation issue. The other issue where the flickering and horizontal lines has not happened again). I am heading to the office to see if I can use the spare monitor to connect the laptop to.

If the pixelation is on the connected monitor, the issue is with the onboard graphics? If the issue is NOT there, then it is likely with the laptop screen? Is that right?

In either case, is either solution pricey? Should I just get a new laptop rather than doing all the replacements? Would seem costly to me either way.

There is also a spare laptop I can use in the office - wondering if switching out the harddrives would just be an easier solution.

 

[Tyree]

If the pixelation appears on an external monitor, the problem is with the laptop graphics chip which is affixed to the Mobo and probably not replaceable.
If no pixelation is present on the external monitor, the problem would be with your scree,
Both are costly and, considering the price of a new laptop, not a good economically.
And, at 3 yrs. old, you're at or past the norm for a laptop.

 

[s0nginmyheart]

Hi,

So I hooked up my laptop (#1) to the external monitor. The discolored pixelation was still present on the laptop's screen, but not on the external monitor.

I switched out my harddrive with another HP laptop (#2) and there was no pixelation on laptop #2's screen. There was still pixelation on laptop #1's screen.

So, trying to isolate this, the issue is with the screen and not the graphics card?

 

[Tyree]

That would indicate the screen is the problem. Is the pixelation always in the same location?

 

[McNinja]

If the pixelization is o. The same part of the screen the best solution is to replace the LCD screen. Before going to recommend anything I want you to make sure it is that.

 

[s0nginmyheart]

Yeah, the pixelation looks like it is in the same areas always.

 

[Tyree]

Yeah, the pixelation looks like it is in the same areas always.

That would indicate a damaged screen. If you can do it yourself, it "might" be cost effective. If you have to pay to have it done, the overall costs (screen + labor) a new laptop would be more cost effective.

 

[s0nginmyheart]

Thanks -

I got some quotes on parts and they came out to be around $240 for screen and $299 for the motherboard.

Think it's time to get a new laptop, based on those prices... is there one that you suggest looking into? I was pretty happy with the HP ProBook (first one) but not if it's going to crap out as soon as it did.

 

[Tyree]

I have no use for anything HP judging from the units that go through my shop.
Acer-Asus-Toshiba seem to be good.
Shop around the box stores, look for sales and find one that has what you need/want.

 

[McNinja]

I've replaced my laptop screen a year ago. I used Screencountry.com

They ship to USA and Canada.
Here's the screen you need.
HP-Compaq PROBOOK 4520S Notebook Display Replacement | LAPTOP & TABLET LCD SCREEN FROM $44.

Glossy is $80 CAD
Matte is $69 CAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F2IBJN5QcM

 

[s0nginmyheart]

Is self-installation easy for a technology-newbie?

 

[oscer1]

the screen will be more difficult than a hard drive. so it would be up to you if you think you can do it yourself. here is the service manual for the laptop. http://bizsupport2.austin.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c02439213/c02439213.pdf