Laptop screen broke

So about ten minutes ago my laptop had a major problem. I was playing far cry 3 when the game subsequently crashed. I pressed ctrl-alt-del but when I did, the screen turned black (I think the back light was still on, so not completely black but a grayish black). After that was there for about a minute I closed the screen to put my computer to sleep. Unfortunately my computer only went to that gray screen again. Next I powered completely off and restarted. Again the screen would be either black or grayish. On another boot I managed to access the BIOS, which had a distinct sound so I know I accessed it. On another boot I turned the volume up and logged into my windows 7 account, hearing the startup sound. I shut down again by guessing the location of the shutdown button with my mouse. From this, I think that my screen might be broken.

I should also note that a few hours before, while my laptop was on my lap, the screen would become really really really dim randomly. If I looked extremely closely I could still barely make out the letters. If I moved the screen it would flicker on and then back to really dim mode. (I assume that's a back light problem?)

Anyways, my laptop is in my signature. The cable connecting my panel to my mobo is taped right above the part of the heat sink between the fan and the exhaust, with all the fins. Is it possible that the temperatures from playing the game caused the cable to die? If so, does anyone know if I'll need a new screen or is it possible to get another cable. I also unfortunately do not have an external monitor that I can test with. Thanks!

 

All the things you say point to the cable, so that's I'd replace first.

I don't believe heat would kill it, the individual wires would snap due mechanical wear (opening and closing the lid) and when it actually shows is just bad luck.

 

It's probably a dead screen on dead screen cable.. I would think it's a dead screen to tbh in your case.. Hp's love dieing that way.. Mine also had a dead screen cable..

 

Does anyone else know by any chance where I could find a replacement cable for the 1366x768 panel online? (Prefer a lyrics with a fast shipping option) Hp customer support gave me a cost of 66$ ($290 for the entire panel) which is a complete ripoff. Mobile Web browsing just isn't as good as on a notebook

 

You need to use your system P/N and check on the hp site and find that part number for the cable and go to eBay and order it from there. Those are you two options...get it through HP order or from eBay by cross referencing the number to find the matching part.

 

Is the screen backlit by CCFL or LED? If the former, then it could be the inverter. Best to remove the screen ASAP b4 the high voltage fries the other components of the laptop, at least until you get the problem sorted out...

 

I think it is LED, at least the name in the manual has LED in it.

 

Your assumption is correct; that is the purpose of the backlight. Shine a flashlight on it and it should display as expected.

No. It's like KLF mentioned.

Wouldn't help; it's either the backlight or the lcd cable (which powers the backlight).

Amusing, considering you can get such a screen for $50 ... cable should be about $15. Also overcharge, but unfortunately cables are only compatible at the lcd-end since that part is standardised, but the motherboard connector is not.

Your system only uses WLED-types screens, so there's no CCFL tube to replace (and WLEDs are too much integrated with the panel). First try reseating the cable at both ends; lid movement may simply have pulled it partly out of its sockets and the bl power lines are at the extreme end of the connector. Failing that; order lcd cable (first cross-check part nr. with the one you penned down when reseating the cable). New panel is the last resort, found the cheapest one for you; B156XW04 V.0. Unfortunately your system features panels using connectors at the bottom-right, this is less common than bottom-left, so there's fewer panels to choose from.