Laptop screen fucked

[Helme]

So, earlier today(yesterday?) my laptop screen started flickering, almost like an old CRT screen used to do when you were about to receive a cellphone call. It stopped after about 5 minutes and a restart, and I didn't think more of it until I decided to go to bed and read a book(which I do on my laptop). After an hour or two the flickering came back, and went away several times lasting a minute or so each. Then out of nowhere it just went dead. Screen completely black, reboots fixes it for about 20 seconds, plugging in a normal screen in the back shows no problems.

So I figure it's either the back light or the inverter. Is there a way to narrow it down, and if it's one or the other how likely am I to be able to replace it on my own and how much am I looking at here(if I can even get the parts outside the states, haven't had much result so far from my googling).

The laptop is an old HP Compaq NC6000, normally I would just say fuck it but it's not like I'm in an economical position to replace it, and I kinda prefer to do my reading in bed as opposed to in my extremely uncomfortable desk chair.

Now its entirely possible that I've misdiagnosed it, so I would also be grateful for any suggestions on what else it could be - or possible fixes that doesn't rely on me spending money.

 

[WPKenny]

So, earlier today(yesterday?) my laptop screen started flickering, almost like an old CRT screen used to do when you were about to receive a cellphone call. It stopped after about 5 minutes and a restart, and I didn't think more of it until I decided to go to bed and read a book(which I do on my laptop). After an hour or two the flickering came back, and went away several times lasting a minute or so each. Then out of nowhere it just went dead. Screen completely black, reboots fixes it for about 20 seconds, plugging in a normal screen in the back shows no problems.

So I figure it's either the back light or the inverter. Is there a way to narrow it down, and if it's one or the other how likely am I to be able to replace it on my own and how much am I looking at here(if I can even get the parts outside the states, haven't had much result so far from my googling).

The laptop is an old HP Compaq NC6000, normally I would just say fuck it but it's not like I'm in an economical position to replace it, and I kinda prefer to do my reading in bed as opposed to in my extremely uncomfortable desk chair.

Now its entirely possible that I've misdiagnosed it, so I would also be grateful for any suggestions on what else it could be - or possible fixes that doesn't rely on me spending money.

Generally speaking there's not much you can do.

To be it sounds more like the inverter board but you don't say whether under bright light you can still see anything on the screen.

 

[Helme]

Didn't know about the bright light thing, tested it with my phones flashlight and it's still dead. So I guess it's the inverter.

Bummer, guess I'll give it to my sister to use as a stationary computer then.

 

[Zenith.UK]

Hold your fire.

Bad inverter would just stop the backlights coming on, but you'd still see a faint image on the screen under bright light. If you're getting *nothing*, then that implies the screen isn't receiving data.

It could be as simple as a loose ribbon connector from the screen the graphic card. Do you notice if your laptop gets more than a bit warm? Heating/cooling cycles can work a connector loose over time. It usually involves screws, getting the keyboard lifted off and checking that the ribbon cable is secured in place.
In fact here is a place to download the service manual for the NC6000.
HP Compaq nc6000 Laptop Service Manual | PRINTER AND SERVICE MANUAL

Bear this in mind...
HP Compaq Business Notebook nc6000 Series - Preparing the Notebook for Disassembly - c00095344 - HP Business Support Center


Have you tried attaching an external monitor to see if you can get a cloned output?

If it isn't the connector and you can't get an image on an external monitor, it is quite likely to be the ATI graphic chipset of your laptop has fried. From all the info I can find, it's integrated and that means the whole machine is as good as dead in that particular case.

If you find that the external screen gives you an image, you might want to see about removing the laptop screen, bezel and surround from the hinges and running the laptop as a thin desktop with the external monitor. I did this to make my download mill.

 

[Helme]

I can use an external monitor just fine. Infact, when I start the computer up now the screen does come on, but flickers like hell and dies within a minute or so.

 

[Scouse]

Man up and take the bezel off and try checking the connections.

I replaced the screen on my 8-month old Lenovo S12 a couple of months ago 'cause I'd trodden on the fucking thing. Was nervous as hell but what ya gonna do? Turns out it was really easy.

Have a go. What's the worst that can happen?

 

[Kami]

Probably the cable - dismantle the laptop and have a look. Generally there's take-apart guides available somewhere but in general with laptops you'll have to remove the keyboard, remove hinge screws and pop off the bezel. If you have to pry something then chances are you missed a tiny screw somewhere..

Seen this before on ribbon cables which were loose or had broken due to the opening/closing action.

 

[Helme]

So I turned it on today on a whim and what do you know, screen works perfectly for about 3 hours then goes back to flimmer>black. Guessing it's a heat issue, gonna crack it open later today when my brother finally returns the fucking toolbox.