topic Screen goes blank on my GRX670 in PCs & Accessories

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

niltag — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 14:55:48 GMT

I have a GRX 670, it's a year and a half old, so no warrenty. The screen has gone blank!! Acctually the problem started a couple of weeks ago, when I turned it on the sony logo would be yellowish, but all was well after it started. That is till last night. It started to flicker, then it goes blank. The computer is still up and running (it's networked so I can tell).
Anyone have any suggestions, before I go in for exploritory surgury???

THanks!

Wendell

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

faithx — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 15:03:03 GMT

Hi Wendell

I had a similar problem and the guys suggested plugging the laptop into another monitor initially to see if its a problem with the screen or a more serious problem with the machine in general

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

robpaxton — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 16:38:36 GMT

It sounds like the backlight or inverter has/is dying. It's worth having a look inside, it might just be a dodgy connector or cable.

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

kee-lo_ — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 16:41:12 GMT

Yep sounds like it.
Worrying that this is happening to a lot of GRX series notebooks....

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

niltag — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 16:50:54 GMT

Thanks for the tips. I tried Faith's idea, and my laptop screen has gone blank while the moniter is working just fine.
Guess I will have to operate. I will check connectors first, but if that is not it, how do I fugure out if it is the backlight transformer? Anybody have a tutorial or how to or anything? Also, any good place for parts?

Thanks for the help, and please keep the suggestions coming.

Wendell

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

niltag — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 18:34:53 GMT

Well, I opened her up, and discovered that the fan is not running. I'm talking about the one between the speakers. Would that cause it? If so, anybody know where I can get one?

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

robpaxton — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 18:48:29 GMT

No - it only runs when the notebook heats up. Are you in the US - if so then http://www.impactcomputers.com carries spares

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

kee-lo_ — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 18:52:33 GMT

My speaker one seems to be running a lot.

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

niltag — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 19:00:13 GMT

Ok, the fans running now, was hoping it would be that simple. So, how do I figure out what is wrong, or should I just send it in.

When I turn the computer off and back on the screen comes on, it flickers evey now and then, and eventialy it goes blank, but will come right back on if I do a restart. So the screen itself is good. Someone mentioned an inverter, and/or backlight. Anyway to check these, if not I will replace the cheapest one first and hope.

Thanks all,
Wendell

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

kee-lo_ — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 19:03:47 GMT

It's hard to tell.

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

William — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 19:06:26 GMT

Rob,

Having dealt with Impact Computers I cannot wholeheartedly recommend them.

I ordered a screen bezel and lid from them. When the parts turned up the lid although bagged and new had obviously been roughly treated and had several deep scratches on the painted surfaces corresponding to holes in the bag. The bezel was also bagged but had a few marks on it.

After paying customs duty on my purchase I then returned the lid to Impact Computers for replacement I was informed there was an indeterminate lead time for this part and was given a refund.

Result scratched bezel and no replacement lid - plus Customs duty.

In their defence I have been unable to source another lid elsewhere but my impression is that they do not look after the parts they have for sale. With an internal part I guess it is not imporant as long as it works.

William

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

kee-lo_ — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 19:13:30 GMT

They should sell them cheaper if they have had bad treatment.

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

robpaxton — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 19:15:06 GMT

Thanks for the heads-up William - I will avoid if possible.

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

robpaxton — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 19:24:09 GMT

Has anyone tried http://www.thelaptopsite.com/parts.cfm for spares?

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

niltag — Wed, 14 Apr 2004 03:32:55 GMT

How hard is the converter to change? I have basic skills.

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

sonymatrix — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 11:23:26 GMT

i had a similar prob on my 316 a few days ago.

i tried a series of initial solutions taht DID NOT fix the problem:
1. updated display adapter
2. recovered to earlier date (in case it was a software issue)
3. checked BIOS (which is difficult when the screen blanks and the an external monitor doesn't show results).
4. cleaned the lcd display (...who knows...)
5. reduced resolution
6. prayed (always worth a try)

i've since called the shop where it was bought 20 months ago and still has a guarantee. a technician first suggested it could a graphics card which has just died, yet since the visual was normal on an external monitor, it wasn't that, and therefore had to be a faulty lcd panel which is a pretty simple fix back at sony (and for anyone with time to return the notebook).

i'm currently looking for a non-return solution but have come to a dead-end. anyone any ideas?

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

kee-lo_ — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 11:25:09 GMT

You're lucky to have a 2yr warranty, I'd send it in and have the memory slots checked too.

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

sonymatrix — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 11:28:58 GMT

i hear anyone can extend a 1yr warranty to a 3yr warranty for a reasonable ¬30 or about $40.

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

kee-lo_ — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 11:30:41 GMT

How?
I spoke to Sony about VAO+ and they said it has to be done < 12 months?

Screen goes blank on my GRX670

sonymatrix — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 11:37:37 GMT

i guess what i heard was unreliable hearsay.