Darren Reynolds asks:
I have a Dell Inspiron 9300 laptop which I have had for a while now but it still suits my needs. I just recently replaced the hard drive and now my LCD is a problem. I had a single blue line running down the middle from top to bottom and now this morning the right side of the screen has gone black (just over a quarter of the screen).
I know the information is not a lot to go on but can anyone offer advice.. Is it the screen or is it the inverter? Is it worth fixing?
4 Answers -
Dalsan
June 28, 2012http://www.laptopproblemfixed.com/half-the-laptop-screen-is-black/
Seems to be that the screen is bad and needs replacing.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins9300/sm/sullivaz.htm
This is the service manual for your laptop so you can replace it yourself. Be careful and take pictures at each step of the way to give you a guide to place everything back the way it should be, though the manual should be fine alone.
Dalsan
June 28, 2012http://www.laptopscreen.com
Go here to find your screen to purchase, or other place that you trust to order from. http://www.ascendtech.com might carry it also as they carry various parts.
I would replace it, as you could easily sell the laptop if you want to get your money back and then some for an upgrade. If it were the motherboard, then I would not recommend it, but sell the parts or use the parts in another laptop. The process is fairly simple, just a little long as you have to take apart a lot, but worth it in the end as you can save yourself $300 that repair centers would charge.
June 28, 2012FIDELIS
June 28, 2012Hello, with the information provided it could be either of them. Keep in mind that this can also be caused by the graphics card. Does the same thing happen when you try connecting a different monitor? I would start by doing that. If when the other monitor is connected you do not have same issues, the graphics card is not the problem.
Usually when there are problems with inverter, your screen would remain black even if the computer is turned on. If you use a flashlight you would still see the background of the desktop, so that means the screen is just dimmed.
From what you are saying, I would bet the problem is with the LCD itself. Is it worth it to fix? I would say that depends on what you want to do. It is not hard to do but it would cost you a little bit of money. Depending on the laptop, an LCD is around 100$. If you are ordering online you would have to add the shipping charge. If you are ordering through a store, it might be cheaper if they give you the discount they get plus tax. If that is the only thing wrong with your laptop I would fix it. Here are some prizes for LCDs and inverters so that you can have an idea:
LCD:
http://www.laptopscreen.com/English/model/Dell/INSPIRON~9300/
Inverter:
http://www.batterystyle.com/dell-inspiron-9300-inverter-p-266641.html
If you decide to replace the screen, make sure to disassemble the LCD first so that you can get the right part number. To help you find out what the problem is, try the following links:
Testing inverter:
http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2009/05/04/how-test-lcd-screen-inverter-in-laptop/
examples of LCD problems:
http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2006/08/17/bad-video-on-lcd-screen/
Logan Cunningham
June 29, 2012If you are comfortable with replacing the screen yourself then yes. But keep in mind that laptops are getting incredibly cheap these days and if you are starting to have consistent problems it might be better to get a new “cheap” one