Computer Monitor went out??

[dsrtrcr01]

Does anyone know wha tht problem could be or where I can find info on possibly fixing the monitor.

It is a Samsung SyncMaster 171V Black 17" LCD Monitor. I can see everything still but it looks like the lights were shut off. The Monitor went dark and I can still see (Barely) all my work. Sort of like I am looking in a room where the lights were shut off??

Any INFO?

[hempies]

Samsung toll-free at (1-800-SAMSUNG) technical support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and an Advanced Replacement Program. Samsung has a website as well for driver updates, information, and technical support you may want to visit from time to time: SAMSUNG's Digital World

best I can offer....

[phanham]

If you can't get Samsung to replace it, PC Connection has the Hans-G JC-199D LCD monitor for $219 - $120 Rebate which drops the price down to $99. Shipping should add about another $20 to the price, so your total would be $120.

[Snakeii]

Originally Posted by dsrtrcr01

Does anyone know wha tht problem could be or where I can find info on possibly fixing the monitor.

It is a Samsung SyncMaster 171V Black 17" LCD Monitor. I can see everything still but it looks like the lights were shut off. The Monitor went dark and I can still see (Barely) all my work. Sort of like I am looking in a room where the lights were shut off??

Any INFO?

Sounds like the inverter board and/or the light tubes went out. I'm not sure how many a bigger display would have, most laptops I've played around with have only one. If it had two it would be easier to diagnose it being a tube or the inverter. You might want do a google for the monitor, if need be you might have to pop the back cover off to find out the model of the screen. Then you should be able to find the exact tube and/or inverter. Both parts are relatively easy to swap out, just be sure not to have it plugged in...

The Hanns-G is ok for work, but for quality graphics, gaming, etc its not really all that good. We picked one up for work just to test it out. Personally I like my Samsung 213T, its been going for 3 years now. Of course, they are cheaper now and have better contrast ratio and speeds. Otherwise Id buy Sony, Viewsonic and a few others.

[dsrtrcr01]

Thanks alot guys.

If I pop the back open will it be easy to know which part is the "inverter board and/or the light tubes"? Will they have a burnt look or smell if they are bad or do I just replace one and see if it works? I have a laptop that did this exact same thing so we just got a new one but if I can fix that one while am at it that would be great.

[Snakeii]

Originally Posted by dsrtrcr01

Thanks alot guys.

If I pop the back open will it be easy to know which part is the "inverter board and/or the light tubes"? Will they have a burnt look or smell if they are bad or do I just replace one and see if it works? I have a laptop that did this exact same thing so we just got a new one but if I can fix that one while am at it that would be great.

Heres what a inverter board looks like. In fact it might be even the one you need, definitely check the one you have. Most of them will have a multi pin connector, like 6-12 pins, and then it'll have a connector with pink and white wires. Thats the wire that runs to the light(s).
AMBIT K021036.00 Inverter

The lights look like this:
MS26355 CCFL Backlight

They'll have a little cover on them and be partially wrapped in a tin or reflective material.

Of course this is just going on the displays I've worked on with laptops, even if the colors are different, most of it will be the same. For telling whats bad, if you see something, or smell something aweful, thats a tale tell sign. I forget what voltages the inverter puts out, buts its pretty high. The light tubes are definitely cheaper to replace than the inverters, so if theres any doubt get a tube first. From what Ive seen its pretty obvious if a inverter croaks. And hopefully repairing it will save you money from having to buy a new monitor.

let me know if you need any other help.

[dsrtrcr01]

OK I found the bulbs. There are 4 of them. IS there a way to test them out of the computer? Just weird to me that all 4 would go out at the same time. Unless they are like christmas lights were if 1 goes out the others wont work?

[Snakeii]

Originally Posted by dsrtrcr01

OK I found the bulbs. There are 4 of them. IS there a way to test them out of the computer? Just weird to me that all 4 would go out at the same time. Unless they are like christmas lights were if 1 goes out the others wont work?

Yeah, you can remove them from the display, plug them back into the inverter and power the monitor up. You are right though, that all 4 of them would die at the same time would be weird. Id probably suspect the inverter or possibly the main board that feeds the power to the inverter. It would be a money gamble to just replace the inverter without knowing for sure. If you have a multimeter, you can test out for dc voltage into the inverter (the multipin connecter). This site below has a picture of what the pins are, as I suspect monitors to be similar to laptop screens. Also, you could try contacting a place to see if they would be willing to test it for you, just send in your inverter and lights, possibly a local place...

laptop inverter repair

Some more info
Laptop Repair Help » Notebook display assembly diagram. How an image appears on the screen.

[dsrtrcr01]

Thanks alot for your help. I will try testing them and the inverter.
Since you seem very knowledgeable do you know if there is a way to make a monitor the screen for a DVD player? Perhaps some sort of plug adapter that goes from the monitor plug and changes it to either an S Video or RCA? I need a screen in my trailer and figured if I could repair the one off my laptop I could just use it as a screen to play my DVD's through.

Thanks for the links and the help. You rock.

[dsrtrcr01]

I emailed that company you posted the link to and they said more then likely the inverter becasue the cahnces of all 4 bulbs going out at the same time is slim to none. So I put the monitor back to gether and now I do not get anything on the screen at all where before I could barely see my work. I belive that this is due to the fact that I have never taken one apart before and I sort of took it to far apart looking for the bulbs and actually was moving some plastic that looked like paper. So I believe I really screwed it up. So time for a new one.

[Snakeii]

Originally Posted by dsrtrcr01

I emailed that company you posted the link to and they said more then likely the inverter becasue the cahnces of all 4 bulbs going out at the same time is slim to none. So I put the monitor back to gether and now I do not get anything on the screen at all where before I could barely see my work. I belive that this is due to the fact that I have never taken one apart before and I sort of took it to far apart looking for the bulbs and actually was moving some plastic that looked like paper. So I believe I really screwed it up. So time for a new one.

Thats a bummer. It might be just a loose connection or one that got disconnected while you were taking it apart. Lots of very small connections, very easy to miss something.

If you pick up a new monitor, be sure to check the prices on Newegg.

[Snakeii]

Originally Posted by dsrtrcr01

Thanks alot for your help. I will try testing them and the inverter.
Since you seem very knowledgeable do you know if there is a way to make a monitor the screen for a DVD player? Perhaps some sort of plug adapter that goes from the monitor plug and changes it to either an S Video or RCA? I need a screen in my trailer and figured if I could repair the one off my laptop I could just use it as a screen to play my DVD's through.

Thanks for the links and the help. You rock.

Maybe something like this?

FAQ: Using a Laptop LCD as Your Car PC Screen - MP3Car.com Forums

[42GAMI]

hey snakeii, nice responses. im stumbling into the laptop repair hobby and you descrips on inverters and backlights were great. i learned something today.

dsrtrcr: on a second note. lcd screens are so cheap at c-city and c-usa, id just buy one off the shelf and save the time. unless you got a room full of extra parts and equipment for bench testing, all that time you spent tinkering is, well,.... wasted time. how many hours have you already spent removing the tubes and inverter? how many days will you be w/o a screen while you send it out for testing?

[Snakeii]

Originally Posted by 42GAMI

hey snakeii, nice responses. im stumbling into the laptop repair hobby and you descrips on inverters and backlights were great. i learned something today.

dsrtrcr: on a second note. lcd screens are so cheap at c-city and c-usa, id just buy one off the shelf and save the time. unless you got a room full of extra parts and equipment for bench testing, all that time you spent tinkering is, well,.... wasted time. how many hours have you already spent removing the tubes and inverter? how many days will you be w/o a screen while you send it out for testing?

Glad I could help. My first experiences with inverters/backlights started while working at a company that built custom ruggidized computer systems and components for the military and aviation companies. It was another one of those companies that Howard Dean and his team pushed out of Vermont...

The benefit of running a laptop screen is you can make your own custom enclosure or mount it to the backside of just about anything, including a picture frame, etc.

Of course with a regular lcd monitor you can easily get a wall mount for it, and if you are already running a dc to ac inverter you'll already have ac power for it. If you have room for it you can run a screen that'll probably be brighter, better contrast ratio, etc. Get a wide screen and that would be great for watching movies.

I was going to install a mini-itx computer into the Tacoma, along with a in-dash lcd, but at this time I decided not to invest another $900 to get it completed, and sold off the computer. What I want to do when the time comes again is to use a small laptop like the Lenovo X41/X60 with a docking station. When I'm travelling the laptop would get docked and connected to the in-dash screen along with the stereo, Id have GPS, MP3 player, internet, etc on the road. And I wouldnt have to worry about the system being overheated or frozen since I would pop the laptop out at night since it would be a dual purpose system.

Alpine and a few other factories have a adapter that plugs into the deck that allows you to connect any USB drive to it to serve as a MP3 jukebox. From what I've read that includes hard drives as well, this itself is on my list of toys to get.

Oh yeah, for some really cool project ideas, check out this site:
mini-itx.com - news

[dsrtrcr01]

Originally Posted by 42GAMI

hey snakeii, nice responses. im stumbling into the laptop repair hobby and you descrips on inverters and backlights were great. i learned something today.

dsrtrcr: on a second note. lcd screens are so cheap at c-city and c-usa, id just buy one off the shelf and save the time. unless you got a room full of extra parts and equipment for bench testing, all that time you spent tinkering is, well,.... wasted time. how many hours have you already spent removing the tubes and inverter? how many days will you be w/o a screen while you send it out for testing?

Well I am doing this at work and in all honesty it took me maybe 5 minutes to take it apart and find the parts and put it back together (Very easy). I am pretty handy and can get things like this done farily quick. PLUS I wanted to try and fix it becasue I like challenges and working on new things. I already have a new monitor. This was just for fun and learning.