Computer help

[ScottA]

Here's the deal. I have a Dell laptop that is about 6 years old now. About 3 months ago a 3" stripe on the left side started to go bad, as in going black. After you turn it back on for a few minutes the area would come back on. Then an area to the right of that went bad and I had bad hairline streaks. But I managed to work around it. Well, this past Wednesday the entire left part of the screen is black and white stripes now and you can't see behind it. So I can't see the start-up or any of my shortcuts to email, internet, etc.

So I want to know is there any way to replace a laptop monitor? Am I doomed to now have to get a new one? How can I get anything off of it if I can't see anything? Any insight would be very helpful.

And if you don't see me on much that's the reason. We have a desktop I can use but I have to get in line to use it, lol.

[steelcouch]

Yes you can replace your laptop monitor with a bit of doing. The monitors run about $100 to $150 depending on what the brand is. I have done two so far and it was the first time I had done them. I had a bit of help over the phone as my brother in law is a computer engineer. Both the screens I replaced were ruined prematurely by the owners closing them with something inside the keyboard section. It was a little bit of a pain but not impossible. Im sure theres a video on youtube that would show you the proper steps. I have also changed the monitor on my sons DSI. I think in comparison the DSI was a lot harder because it was more condensed. Just a bit of confidence.

[LadyZod]

Depending on the model of the laptop and whether you can afford it... you're better off buying a new laptop. They've come down in price so much, that a 6yr laptop can't compete. And quite frankly even spending $100 on a fix for a 6yr old laptop is a waste of money, when you can pick up an up to date power house laptop for under $500.

For an easier cheaper method... and if you don't need the portability of it, connect an unused separate desktop monitor. (Heck you can probably find a good deal at a pawn shop or thrift store for under $10 sometimes if you don't happen to have one somewhere in your house from a previous desktop computer.)

That will at least allow you to access your whole screen so you can get to your files and transfer them off your laptop in prep for transferring files to a new laptop.

Heck you could probably find the SAME make and model of your computer on ebay for a song and a dance. Perhaps it's missing a battery or keys fromn the keyboard, or missing a powercord (for it to be even cheaper)... and buy it for parts. As long as it has a good screen with no stripes.

My husband's compaq pulled the same line crap on the screen and when I looked into it, the replacement screen for his laptop (bought in 2004) was $200. No way. I went on ebay and bought him a slightly newer iBook running linux with wifi and the whole thing ran me $85. For what HE uses it for (facebook and youtube) he didn't need anything too powerful.

[JPkempo]

Search e-bay for parts. I had a laptop fall off a table and smached the screen. I got the compleat top of the same unit for $15 shipped off ebay. less than a half hours work swaped the screen and it wored great.

[noelani72]

what model are we talking about? I have a few parts maybe we'll get lucky. I am Dell Certified to get warranty parts from Dell, but sounds like yours is out of warranty. If you get a lcd kit, ship me the stuff and I will put it in for you.

Granted, this all may simple be a loose cable connection and it needs re-seated. I have seen drivers do something like this once...can't explain it, but an XP machine made me guarantee the screen was bad until I put Vista on it...fixed.

[DARTHTYRANUS]

Or if your laptop has the right port you can just add an external monitor you may have kicking around the house for now to bad your in the states i have an older 19 inch one you could have but it would cost a small fortune to get it their try the external monitor for now till you get a new machine maybe some one that lives close to you from here can help.

[ScottA]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I have an Dell INSPIRON 9200.