Sony Viao display problem

[Blitzkreig75]

I have a client witha Sony Viao model PCG96PL. He spilled coffee, (I know, they never learn), on the keyboard. Not much, not that it matters, but the display is now so dark that you can't veiw it. Also, the CRT/LCD switching does not work. I don't know too much about lappys, but I think the display adapter went out. What I need to know is is the display adapter user-upgradeable in this unit?

Also, if anyone can help me diagnose this issue, all help is greatly appriciated.

[Martoch]

That model doesn't show up on Sony's support site list...
http://esupport.sony.com/perl/model-...6,66,9,70,5,72

...or a Google search for that matter.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...PL&btnG=Search

[Blitzkreig75]

Damn. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place for the number. That one came from the label on the bottom and it said "Model" right next to the number. Where would I locate it, (the model number)?

EDIT: I got the 6 & 9 mixed up. But there's still no "PCG69PL" listed.

[Martoch]

Are you sure? I don't see that one listed either...
To determine the model number, click on the link at the bottom of this link where it says 'For VAIO® computers, click here for additional information on locating the model name.'

[Blitzkreig75]

Yeah, I got the number from the label on the bottom. I'll have to check it again. I'll get back later. Sorry for the premature help request.

I'll post again after I confirm the #.

Thanks, Martoch.

[Blitzkreig75]

Alright. I've found the model on the unit and the Sony Viao link. PCGK15. However, the Sony site says there are no specs available for this model.

[Martoch]

Here are the system specs.
Here is where you can download the user guide.

[Blitzkreig75]

Thanks, Martoch, but nothing there is helpful. I can't even see the display. I'm usinhg a KVM between computers, and the CRT for the KVM isn't getting a signal. According to the manual, I can switch between LCD/CRT output by FN/F7 keys, but nothing happens and I can't see the LCD display to be certain that I'm getting the unit to actually switch output.

[Blitzkreig75]

All right, I got it to output to the CRT. The display adapter is fine. What else would cause the LCD to be dark. I mean, unless you have a bright light very near the screen, it looks black. It does come on, just very, very dark. I tried to adjust the brightness, but it's already at maximum. Is this the inverter going out or is the LCD itself dying?

[howste]

Sounds like the backlight is gone. You may be able to replace just the backlight. If you have Sony fix it, they will replace the whole LCD display.

[howste]

Check out this thread - it may shed some light on the matter:

Laptop backlights

(pun intended)

[Blitzkreig75]

Wow! That may very well be the most informitive thread I've ever read. I'm leaning towards the inverter. The screen, (according to the client), just got dark all of a sudden. It wasn't a gradual decline. After all, he DID spill hot coffee on it. I'm sure liquid inside the unit could have shorted something out.

But there's another problem. When I got it to display via a CRT, the system would not boot from CDROM. The HDD has failed, so I wanted to load a live CD. I set BIOS to boot from CD, but it just says "Operating system not found". I only half need help with this issue, so if need be I'll start another thread instaed of going off-topic.

Thanks, howste. That thread is almost good enough to be a sticky, don't ya think?

[LaptopExtreme]

Yup, if you can still see items on the screen very faintly, it's either the inverter or lamp. Now you'll have to balance the cost of the item (if you can find it) plus labor or just get a whole new panel... or just chuck the whole system all together.

[Blitzkreig75]

Well, I bought the unit from the client for a few hundred. I'm certain I can make that back and then some. Gonna sell the LCD on Ebay and the DVDRW in one of the forums. I'll prolly Ebay the mobo "as-is". I want to keep the P4 2.8GHz 533FSB to replace my P4 2.2GHz engineering sample, unless I can get around $175 for it.

He decided that paying me to fix the screen, then replace the HDD, and then who knows, was not a wise decision at this time.

When I got into the unit, I found traces of coffee everywhere. I'm surprised the unit even works!

Thanks to all.

[salesrep]

I hate you - Phenious TechIMO Moderator

[Blitzkreig75]

Thanks, Phenious. that ended up in my email.

[howste]

That was perfectly annoying spam. See ya!

[mhmozumder]

[I got it to output to the CRT. The display adapter is fine. What else would cause the LCD to be dark. I mean, unless you have a bright light very near the screen, it looks black. It does come on, just very, very dark. I tried to adjust the brightness, but it's already at maximum. Is this the inverter going out or is the LCD itself dying?
February 10th, 2006 02:51 PM

[galaxycomp]

Hi in my experience working as a technician for http://www.nylaptopparts.com I have had similar scenarios. generally I would suggest to check the inverter because in most cases that is the problem , but being that there was a coffe spill , I would recommend opening the laptop to make sure that there was no coffe spilled in the area that the lcd cable connects to the motherboard , because I have seen instances where the spill accoured at the base of the lcd cable and it shorted out any voltage that was being sent to the lcd and it resulted in no display , but it was NOT the inverter NOR the backlight. If you do see a spill in that area then you would have to clean it with isopropyl alcahol (should not contain water or it should be distilled water) and then try it. Before any cleaning remember to unplug the laptop and remove the battery. Hope this helps.