Cracked, torn, or slashed LCD.Sorry, but physical damage to the LCD
itself cannot be repaired; the only option is to replace the display.
Depending on the laptop, this could cost between $150–$300 for parts,
plus labor. The first question to ask: Is this laptop worth the expense?
The second question: Can I do this repair myself?
Doing the repair by yourself certainly saves you the cost of someone
else’s labor, but don’t underestimate the amount of time it will take you.
And remember that if you have a professional do the job, his or her work
(and usually the parts) have a guarantee.
Black screen.A totally unresponsive, black screen like the one in
Figure 3-2 can be the result of a failure of the LCD or the LCD inverter,
a specialized piece of electronics that energizes the screen. The LCD
may be repairable by a competent specialist; a failed inverter can be
replaced with a new unit.To rule out failure of the video display adapter or circuitry, try an exter-
nal monitor— a standard computer monitor attached to the laptop, just
like a display connects to a desktop machine. If it works, the mother-
board and video display adapter of the laptop are likely performing
properly and the LCD is at fault.
White or washed-out screen.A totally white or washed-out screen, like
the one in Figure 3-3, is indicative of a problem with the LCD that can
generally be repaired by a specialist.Horizontal or vertical block.Like rolling or static interference on a home
television set, an off-color, bright, or dark band that extends horizontally
or vertically across a portion of the screen is generally a problem with
the LCD that can be repaired by a specialist. You can see an example in
Figure 3-4.Black LCD screenFigure 3-2:
A black
LCD screen.50 Part II: Explaining What Could Possibly Go Wrong