[Ham-Computers] RE: Laptop video problems

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Since the display worked "prior" to you turning it off while using it as 
your radio beacon control unit, perhaps you 'unknowingly' disabled something 
that you now need to reenable? Such as in the 'energy' or 'power' 
conservation functions.

Wince it has worked fine, then you turned it off, perhaps it is not a failed 
LCD display. Just a thought.

Duane Fischer, W8DBF/WPE8CXO
dfischer at usol.com
HHI: Halligan's Hallicrafters International
http://www.w9wze.net
HHRP: Historic Halligan Radio Project
hhrp.w9wze.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Philip, KO6BB" <ndb_fch-344 at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Computers (or other) used for amateur radio, communications, or 
experimenting" <ham-computers at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2007 12:02 PM
Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] RE: Laptop video problems


> Hi Aaron,
>
> Thank you for the tips.  I delayed answering this until I had a chance to 
> take a closer look at it.  This laptop doesn't have a ribbon cable from 
> main board to the display.  It uses a small circular cable "bundle", 
> apparently with copper strand shielding to connect the two.  It appears to 
> be routed in such a way, parallel to the back of the main unit so as to 
> minimize flexing when opening.  The cable connects with a small plug.
>
> Although there MUST be a way to get into the LCD display, short of using 
> some "C4" it isn't at all apparent.  Just possibly NEC intended the 
> display to be replaced as an entire unit.  I'm afraid that if I "force" 
> anything I may end up with a doorstop that isn't usable at all.  Even if 
> it were available, from NEC, I hardly think that an 11 year old Win95 
> system (it's a 1996 model) is worth it.
>
> There also may be a switching matrix of some sort to switch between the 
> external and internal displays, perhaps an IC, that failed. It does switch 
> the external display on/off as well as the backlight, but I suppose there 
> could be a "data gate" of some sort inoperative.  But most likely it's in 
> the LCD display itself, at least that's my humble opinion.  Working 
> without a "roadmap" (schematic) makes these things difficult to diagnose.
>
> By the way, I've eliminated the URL's to my webpage and QSL site from my 
> signature because SBC/Yahoo was dumping all my Emails in the "bulk" folder 
> as spam and I had to go to the web site to see them.  It was caused by the 
> "links" in my signature.  ODD since there were no commercial aspects to 
> the sites.
>
> 73 de Phil,  KO6BB
> DX begins at the noise floor!
>
> Ten Meter CW Beacon KO6BB/B, 20 Watts 24/7 on 28.248MCs.
> Merced, Central California,    37.3N  120.48W  CM97sh
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
>
> Hi Phil,
>
> One of the most common failures in earlier laptops is a break in the 
> ribbon cable connecting the video adapter to the LCD itself.  Being that 
> you have video when connected to an external monitor, this might be your 
> issue.  A busted backlight is also a common problem, but not the case in 
> this situation.
>
> Crack open the case and check the ribbon cable from the m/b to the TFT 
> panel.  These things are subjected to a lot of flexing and are known to 
> either open or come "pinched".
>
> 73,
>
>  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Ham-Computers mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ham-computers
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html
> Post: mailto:Ham-Computers at mailman.qth.net
>
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 
> 269.10.2/890 - Release Date: 7/7/2007 3:26 PM
>
>