[A Beautiful Struggle]

So, I have an HP laptop from Costco that I got as a gift a couple years ago.. And it worked nicely up until now. When I open the screen/monitor, and I have it at a certain angle.. the image displayed freaks out and sometimes freezes until I adjust it. At first, it was a minor - just a flicker or two.. but now, it's getting A LOT worse.

Does anyone know what's wrong with my computer? >_< My computer runs fine.. I think it's the screen or the top part.. Is there any way i can get this fixed? (if so.. how much would it cost?)

Is this a common thing?



*SORRY, wrong section.. Mods please move this to the Help and Troubleshooting thread. Thanks so much!

[awdark]

Since you said it happens at certain angles, I would guess that its caused by the ribbon for the lcd panel is damaged. If it is not damaged, it is at least loose.

The "freaking out" occurs on the whole screen correct? Because if its a certain part, like half the screen then it might be a different thing. Can you move the screen back and fourth to see if you can cause the flickering? Or does it have to start from closed to open to trigger the random?

HP does offer service manuals so if you can get the model number I can see if I can find it.

If its loose, you can fix it for free... if its damaged, the cable will cost about $20. I think if you take it somewhere, the labor will be at least $80.

[A Beautiful Struggle]

awdark!! xD you've helped me so much before <3 you're my tech hero~
And yes, the flickering is caused by my moving the top. it's gotten so bad where if i have the laptop on my lap and shift slightly, then the whole screen freezes. T_T it's taking longer to get the screen to normal again.

regarding the model number..... it says Product: HP Pavillion dv5000. would you need the s/n or p/n as well?

[awdark]

Oh that sure does sound like a loose cable.

It MIGHT be an internal part, like a chip on the board coming loose. If thats the case... I would really consider selling it for parts rather than taking it in for repair

But lets be optimistic.
I bought a HP because I was optimistic they would offer good support. I view companies who offer service manuals with their products good because they show you everything. I have my issues with HP but thats not for here.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/manualC...uct=499849&
You want to get HP Pavilion dv5000 Notebook PC - Maintenance and Service Guide

On Page 117, you want to try that side first.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2176/241814...f77916a8c_o.jpg
If you notice, it will involve removing the keyboard and the buttons at the top, you might be able to get away with just removing the keyboard because you aren't removing the screen, just working with the cable. The easiest thing to do is just disconnect the cable then reattach it because a lot of times wires just get loose or whatever and hope it stops bothering you.

From what I see in the manual, the cable seems attached to the screen (very odd) hopefully its just physically loose and easy to reattach.

[VTTK]

ah..i have the same laptop and i had teh EXACT same problem...just give them a call, their number should be on their website.
do you dl a lot, cause it might be possible that u dled something and it's affecting the softwares. you can try and take out your batteries and unplugging the adaptor, then hold down the power button for twenty seconds. by doing this, you are draining the power. then you put the batteries back on and plug the adpator back in and turn on ur laptop. i hope this works, if not then you might have to send your laptop in so they can fix it for you. it can take up to a coupld of weeks tho. heh. hope this helps.

[awdark]

I hope they cover it with under some extended warranty then! Far less work! lol

[A Beautiful Struggle]

do u think i can do that? >_< i dont know anything about computers... i dont want to break anything on accident. >____<

[awdark]

guess you can always call and ask. Otherwise I think i think its doable, tedious but possible.

Can you get it to go weird when you first turn it on? You can hit pause on the keyboard to stop it and move the screen around. If you do that, you can eliminate software issues like the person suggested.

[A Beautiful Struggle]

Update!

So, I took it apart and reconnected the cable.. but it didnt help (thanks, though, guys - it was really cool and fun taking my computer apart.. kakakaka).

I also asked one of my mom's friends (since he works with computers and stuff), and he said that it might have to do with something internal... T_T

and so i was wondering.. would it be possible to hook up a temporary monitor? you know.. one of those desktop monitors and use that? Cuz the screen/image is getting worse and worse.

[awdark]

There should be a monitor connector on your laptop, on my DV2000 its on the left side. Just plug it in and it should show up. If it doesnt, you might have to push FN+F4 to make it appear

Im glad you at least tried tweaking it. I learned the most about computers through experimentation like that. However it has proven to not always pay off ... but its good for the future haha
After seeing the quality of HP repairs, I believe I can do a far superior job lol

[A Beautiful Struggle]

well.. the man showed me how to hook the monitor up and go to control panel -> display .. and i got the monitor to turn on... but all it does is work as an extension (and i freaked out when i found this out.. it was SOOO coooolll... how the mouse goes to the edge of my laptop screen and then suddenly, it appears on the next monitor.. MUAHAHAHAAHHA.. i felt so tech savvy XDDDD).

so yeah. *cough*. i can use it as an extension.. but then there was this little box that said "use as primary monitor" or something.. and i tried that.. but then the desktop monitor would just go black and stop working... it would only work as an extension.. =\


my monitor is back at home (parent's house), and so i'll have to go get it this weekend or early next week.. and so i cant try anything now.. but all information is so very much appreciated. XD i love this thread.. not only because it helps me with my troubleshoots.. but also because i get to learn so much
x]

[awdark]

Most likely it doesn't like the resolution its set at. I don't use a second monitor very often, but I know you can set it to clone the displays so you dont have to look at the wavy screen. You may have to just set the resolution lower then work your way up until you find the max resolution supported by the monitor.

[A Beautiful Struggle]

aahh.. i see. so should i put it at a lower resolution and then click on the "primary monitor" option? that's all i have to do?

i'll try that when i go home (hopefully sat x])

also.. if worse comes to worst.. what do you think about the Macbook Pro? Im thinking about getting the 17" (since ive gotten so used to my HP), but i may get the 15"..

[awdark]

Depending on your application in terms of what to do, it might not be a bad choice. You can always go to the Notebook thread.

I think setting it on a lower resolution should work to make it show up properly on your monitor. Sometimes if the resolution doesn't fit, especially when laptops are typically wide screen and some desktop monitors do not like the resolution much

[A Beautiful Struggle]

To fix the problem.. what would i have to do? Who would i take my computer to? Is it possible to send it to the manufacturer directly without having to pay a middle person, like Best Buy, and have the manufacturers diagnose it?

[awdark]

thought you already contacted HP tech support! o_o they can give these really creative answers at times.
I forgot to ask, when you have it in extended mode, can you your laptop's LCD to go weird..? If you can does your external screen go weird too?

If it doesn't go weird then at least everything within the laptop in terms of the circuits is theoretically okay and its most likely a mechanical problem such as loose connections.

[A Beautiful Struggle]

ok. so i tried putting it on the lowest resolution.. but it still doesnt work. T_T i tried with just a lower res and it'll just black out if i click on the primary monitor option.

i noticed when i click on the box for primary monitor.. both boxes (primary monitor option and extend option) both go gray.... but i cant click on th primary monitor option unless i click on the extend option first.. =\

[awdark]

Sorry I can't be more specific... for me this is how it looks when I plug in my LCD and im on vista..

If you don't set it to primary monitor... I guess it wont be able to show videos?
Im not sure if clone rather than extend will help you

[A Beautiful Struggle]

i have xp..

basically what i want to do is use my desktop monitor instead of my laptop monitor (since it's nearly broken).. and so i want to shift everything onto the d.monitor.. is that possible?

[awdark]

Odd idea, plug in monitor while laptop is off. Push power then close the lid. Sometimes it will default the external as primary as a result