laptop monitor problem / BIOS other?

I have a HP laptop that has been giving me problems with "flickering" LED screen monitor. I've re-installed driver but problem persists. Now, the screen occassionally goes completely black - and if I turn off computer and re-boot, it works OK for at least a while. If I connect to external monitor (ie, when the laptop screen isn't working) it works OK. I've contacted HP and they've suggested reinstalling BIOS. I did this not too long ago but can't seem to download it at the moment due to firewall restrictions on the server I'm using. (I'll do so when I have access to anohter server.)

It's beginning to look like a software problem / conflict more than a hardware issue.

I'm thinking of doing a clean install if I can't get this sorted out.

Has anyone had similar experiences and any suggestions?

 

I agree as well.

If you would like to try one or two other sources, on the support webpage, look for Authorised Support Providers (or go through Technical Support).
www.hp.com/support
You can send an email and ask their opinion. There will be a list of "local" support providers and their phone numbers if you happen to live nearby.

Matt

 

Now that sounds really weird. Do they mean flash the bios? If they do and the process goes awry, you've got a $1000-2000 boat anchor on your hands. I would never want to re-flash a bios on a laptop.

Recently, I had to have Dell come out and replace the LCD display on my stepdaughter's laptop. The Sysadmin at my job told me he once had to replace an LCD display four times on a Dell laptop.

I get the feeling that laptop displays frequently go bad. My stepdaughter's laptop was less than two years old.

Sounds to me like your laptop display is going bad.

Gary

 

Fantasma:

I think everyone is pretty much in agreement, based upon your description this sounds more like a hardware issue than software or drivers and I don't think you got anything except someone reading the wrong script at HP tech support.

I've been through a few of these and the problem you are facing is the cost of a replacement screen if that turns out to be the culprit. Its roughly $300-400 plus labor, so you have to ask yourself some tough questions re: is it worth this to fix it. Now, it could just be as Pete referenced, a connector or a pinched wire or a dry joint (new term for me). If this is the situation, its a cheap fix but how is one supposed to know? My recommendation is to send it out to a specialized laptop repair facility and get a price quote - usually $75 for analysis and if you decide to have them fix it, this is included in the cost of the repair so it works out to be nothing.

I have no problem pulling laptops apart as long as they belong to me. As to all others - some of the obvious things like busted optical drives, bad hard drives, keyboards, power boards - I'll work on some client machines but am pretty selective and the problem is going to have to be 100% obvious. Anything else (and I'd put your laptop in this category) should only go to a specialist. I've seen a $10 A/C power plug repair turn into a $350 repair after a (no charge if we can't fix it Shop) broke the traces on a motherboard.

I'd advise in the strongest terms - send this to a laptop repair specialist or let Santa know you are ready for a new one.



edit: My comments assume you are out of warranty.

 

Thanks for the feed back!

Thanks, everyone, for all the feedback. I can see the consensus is "it's hardware / mechanical" ... and probably not software. I'll hold off on the "clean install" and focus on having someone look at it.

Thanks again!