[averysadman]

My laptop running Windows 7 Ultimate has been having some problem that I'm now certain are not hardware related, but to do with the Windows 7 power options.

A few days ago I noticed the monitor was flickering, all it took to stop the flickering for long periods of time was to lower or raise the screen brightness slightly in the power options menu.

Tonight it has died completely, the screen is black. The hardware seems fine, as when I reboot, the BIOS screen shows, but as soon as the computer has booted it goes black. I have duplicated the display on a second monitor so I have access to the desktop just fine, and the laptop monitor will flash on and off briefly when I duplicate/extend the desktop. Altering the brightness doesn't seem to have an effect, and nothing I can change in the power options seems to affect the laptop monitor. High Performance, Balanced, and Power Saver setting don't seem to affect the laptop monitor at all.

I'm certain there's some software issue, although I've not found it yet.

Edit: When I close and open the lid, the screen flashes on and off briefly.

Edited by averysadman, 21 July 2012 - 03:58 PM.

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There are no artifacts or issues of any kind on the external monitor, ruling out graphics card issues.

Edit: After opening and closing the lid a few times, the desktop appeared (in the resolution of the external monitor, letterboxed) and stayed on the screen for a few second before going black again.

Edited by averysadman, 21 July 2012 - 05:23 PM.

[averysadman]

There are no artifacts or issues of any kind on the external monitor, ruling out graphics card issues.

Edit: After opening and closing the lid a few times, the desktop appeared (in the resolution of the external monitor, letterboxed) and stayed on the screen for a few second before going black again.

Edited by averysadman, 21 July 2012 - 05:23 PM.

[averysadman]

Booting in safe mode doesn't change anything.

Edit: On the most recent reboot, the laptop monitor has turned back on, and is now flickering again, it seems to be on a reduced brightness regardless of the settings.

Edited by averysadman, 22 July 2012 - 05:44 AM.

[phillpower2]

Hi averysadman

I suspect that this is a hardware issue as opposed to a software issue, this based on the behavior of the notebook screen and the fact that you get a display on an external screen.

Common causes of this are a loose or damaged motherboard to screen ribbon, a bad inverter or a bad back-light.
The screen ribbon can become damaged or loose by nothing more than opening and closing the lid over a period of time, the inverter provides the power to the back-light which in turn illuminates your screen, neither of which last forever.

Please provide the brand and model name or number of the notebook so that we can do some research.

[averysadman]

Thanks for your time Phil.

Are you sure it's likely to be a hardware issue?

The monitor flashes on and off when I extend or duplicate the display, and changing the brightness slider in the power options settings stops the flickering. When the machine powers on the BIOS screen displays normally, and the black screen only begins after the machine has booted.
That sounds like a software issue to me.

Edit: Sorry, the make and model is a Packard Bell BV Easynote. Hardy little machine, this is the first issue I've had with it.

Edited by averysadman, 22 July 2012 - 01:27 PM.

[phillpower2]

I have duplicated the display on a second monitor so I have access to the desktop just fine,

If I am understanding correctly the external display has no such issues, is this correct.

Thanks for the notebook details, I will do some research and see if this is a known issue.

You are welcome BTW

[averysadman]

Yes, the external display has no issues at all, no artifacts, no flickering, and when I duplicate or extend the display, the laptop monitor will turn on as normal for a few seconds, then off again.
If it was a hardware issue, I don't think the BIOS screen would display normally, and I don't think the screen would flick on and off like it does, a hardware issue would be constant.

[phillpower2]

When a computer is booting up it has the least demands being placed on it and that is why you will often get a BIOS screen, what the inverter does is control/increase the power to the screens back-light once the graphics chip sends a signal to the display.

Power up the notebook, shine a flashlight into the screen and look closely to see if you can see any icons etc in the background.

Some links to people with the same or a similar issue http://www.tomshardw...screen-problems and http://www.tomshardw...d-bell-easynote

Edited by phillpower2, 22 July 2012 - 02:31 PM.
Links added.

[averysadman]

Yes, you're right, I can see the desktop with a torch, [bleep].

[phillpower2]

No worries at least now you can move on.

There are many letters associated with the EasyNote but I did not see BV, please have a look at the pages @ http://www.google.co...iw=1280&bih=737 and let us know which one is yours.

What I suggest now is first check the display ribbon because if it is only loose it will cost nothing to repair, if not the ribbon then second is to replace the inverter as they are less expensive than a back-light, if still no joy then replace the back-light - some people may replace both regardless.

[averysadman]

Thanks, I'll have a look at the manual and see if I can manage. I'm comfortable taking apart PCs, but I've never dismantled a laptop, I've worked on PSPs though, shouldn't be too different.

[phillpower2]

A sensible approach as notebooks are more difficult to work on.

Good luck with whatever you decide and please let us know how you get on or if you have any questions.

[averysadman]

I'm starting the dissasembly now, the model appears to be a 'Kamet GM'. I have found this: http://tim.id.au/lap.../easynote v.pdf but not a dissasembly manual unique to my model number.

Edit: This PDF is definitely not the same chassis as my laptop, should I continue and use it as a rough guide? I have submitted a request to the Packard Bell website asking for the proper manuals, but it's all automated and my model isn't even listed in their drop down menus, I don't expect a reply.

Packard Bell sent me an email saying they don't supply service manuals, and that I can download a user manual from their site, however my model is not listed on their site, turns up no search results, and my SNID isn't recognised.

Edited by averysadman, 23 July 2012 - 10:27 AM.

[averysadman]

I have removed every accessible screw and the chassis will peel away slightly, but is still attached in some way I can't access. I have no idea if I should be applying pressure or how much force I should be using, as some components were glued down. There must still be screws under the chassis that I can't access. I assume the keyboard should be able to pop off or be detached, although I don't see how. Perhaps I can access whatever is keeping the chassis down from that side, but without a manual I'm not sure of what I should be doing.

[phillpower2]

Please hold off on any further dismantling and let us see if we can find the correct manual.

Would it be possible for you to take a picture of any Packard Bell ID/serial/model numbers and upload them with your next reply.