Curse

Elder III · Sep 11, 2009, 01:29 PM // 13:29

Here's the deal, I picked up a second hand lcd monitor yesterday to use on my "test desk" - 17" Acer 1280 x 1024. It was actually in perfect visual condition, not a single finger mark on the screen etc. It worked great for the first 40ish minutes, then powered off/sleep mode (aka nothing on screen but green power light is on). I can turn it off and then on again and the desktop will display for 1-2 seconds and then it shuts off again. I even waited overnight and tried again this morning and it does the same thing. From what I have read or seen of lcd monitors and their internal workings (which admittedly is not that much) I think it may be a defunct backlight... Does anyone here have experience repairing lcd monitors? I already have a new (no more second hand ones thank you) on the way, but I'd like to know if this other one is salvageable and if it's worth buying any parts for it or not.

thanks guys

moriz · Sep 11, 2009, 01:34 PM // 13:34

it's technically repairable, but the cost of repairs is likely to be greater than what that LCD is worth.

so yeah, you are better off using the new LCD.

Quaker · Sep 11, 2009, 04:47 PM // 16:47

It doesn't sound like the backlight is the problem. If the backlight was bad, you probably wouldn't be able to see the screen at all - not even for 1 or 2 seconds. It sounds more likely that there is a fault on the main circuit board.
Actually, the backlight would be relatively easy to replace, if you could find the right one - it's basically just a florescent bulb. The main circuit board, however, is a deal breaker.

However, if you have any technical knowledge and can use a soldering iron, you may be able to fix it. Open it up and inspect the circuit board(s). Check for any solder joints that look 'bad' - have a dull grey or crusty appearance - and give them a touch up.
Check all the can capacitors - the little cylindrical things standing upright on the board - and see if there is any visible signs of them leaking. They would have some brownish goo on top or around the base and/or the tops may looked bulged up. Replace any bad ones - get new ones from a parts store or salvaged from other electronics.
Beyond that there would be the obvious burnt/broken components, but you start to get into very specific small parts that are hard to find and hard to replce.
The worst that can happen is that you'll boink it even more than it already is.

Elder III · Sep 11, 2009, 05:01 PM // 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker

The worst that can happen is that you'll boink it even more than it already is.

hehe 'tis true that

I do intend to take it apart and check for the obvious (aka bad solder, something loose etc.) I was hoping it was the backlight since I know I can get that for fairly cheap online, if it's something else I doubt it would be worth spending any more $$$ on it. I'll see if I can open it up over the weekend. :s

Elder III · Sep 14, 2009, 02:58 AM // 02:58

Well I opened it up and it all looked good, piece by piece, nice and shiny and better than I expected for a couple yr old (I think) used monitor. Once I got down to the very last bit, the backlight(s) themselves I found the culprit. Both of them were very black on the ends, and one was broken at the end. It could have cracked when I was dissasembling it, but I would say that the blackened ends/connector points were the problem. I any case, I had some fun rudely handling the various sensitive components as I threw them all in a box to take to the dump. Call it a $40 learning experience.