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    Alienware 18 screen issue

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by exmeaguy, Jun 20, 2016.

  1. exmeaguy

    exmeaguy Notebook Geek

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    The other night my screen was perfectly fine until I unplugged my charger and since then this is what I have been seeing. I have tried disconnecting the battery and just running on the charger and the same issue. When I connect to my TV via HDMI the picture is perfect on the TV. I even purchased a replacement screen from Dell and installed this evening and the same problem. I turned off SLI, as I saw on one thread, and the same issue. I ran Dell's worthless hardware test and it found nothing. I ran through about 50 pages on this site. I cannot isolate what the problem is and I am out of ideas.

    Any ideas anyone of what to try next or should I start to play taps?
     

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    exmeaguy, Jun 20, 2016
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  2. stefan063

    stefan063 Notebook Consultant

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    Either it is LCD flat cable or GPU,but since your HDMI is ok I believe it is flat cable.
     
    stefan063, Jun 21, 2016
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  3. exmeaguy

    exmeaguy Notebook Geek

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    I installed a new LVDS cable from Dell and the same issue. Nothing changed.
     
    exmeaguy, Jun 23, 2016
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  4. stefan063

    stefan063 Notebook Consultant

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    As I can see it is either female connection on MB or GPU :(
     
    stefan063, Jun 23, 2016
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  5. exmeaguy

    exmeaguy Notebook Geek

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    Yep, I am thinking the motherboard. I assume that connection is soldered onto the board so I would have to replace the whole motherboard.
     
    exmeaguy, Jun 23, 2016
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  6. Mobius 1

    Mobius 1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The connection to motherboard is socket (screen and screen power to motherboard).

    Try reseating the connection and clean the contact points with a gentle brush.
     
    Mobius 1, Jun 23, 2016
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  7. exmeaguy

    exmeaguy Notebook Geek

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    I installed a new cable from Dell and it did not change anything. This issue started as soon as I unplugged the charger so I think there was some change in the electrical charge that fried the MB. TV via HDMI looks good so that is why I think MB connection to the screen.
     
    exmeaguy, Jun 23, 2016
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  8. Mobius 1

    Mobius 1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    reseat video cards (can do without remove the heatsink)

    check connection cable/solder point of the DC jack to motherboard
     
    Mobius 1, Jun 23, 2016
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  9. DH48

    DH48 Notebook Evangelist

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    Had the same issue with my Asus G73JH a long time ago.
    [​IMG]
    Tried the same as you did. Turned out that one of the power resistors for the screen had arced with the screen cables ground (It had a metal plug that was also the ground for the LCD screen. Also the resistor was 2mm from the plug). Did try to replace the resistor from a nother dead mobo but it did not help. The damage was deeper then expected and was not able to find it. After replacing the mobo all was good again.

    So it looks like it could be the mobo.

    P.S did you try intel graphics ? same ?
     
    DH48, Jun 28, 2016
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  10. exmeaguy

    exmeaguy Notebook Geek

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    I am sending the laptop to L2 in NY to fix the motherboard for $189. If this does not fly then I will sell it for parts.
     
    exmeaguy, Jun 29, 2016
    #10