Dry Joints in LCD Monitor Circuit Boards

When faced with bad display problems in LCD monitors, the usual suspect is the backlight (the CCFL tube that lights up the screen).

However, in some cases, it is also possible that the problem may be bad solder joints in the monitor's circuit board.

I have seen it happen in some of the brand-name 17" and 19" LCD monitors that were 3-5 years old. On testing, I found that the backlight was working fine. But when I probed a little, I found that dry joints were causing the display problem.

For more, check out:
LCD Monitors - Repair Projects & Case Studies

Flickering Laptop Screen - How to Fix LCD Laptop Screen that Flickers Randomly

When a standalone LCD monitor flickers randomly, the problem is usually the backlight. When the same thing happens in a laptop, the cause is a defective ribbon connector cable.

Remember that in a laptop the display screen is separate from the main case that contains the keyboard, hard disk and other electronic parts.

The laptop screen is embedded into the lid of the laptop, and by constant opening and closing, the LCD ribbon connector cable gets worn out.

Once the damage sets in, the cable is unable to relay video signals properly, and so the screen images flicker randomly.

Luckily, there's an easy fix for this: Just replace the ribbon connector cable with a compatible part from an OEM manufacturer. It usually costs $15-20 and is far cheaper than replacing the whole screen.

Source Website

How to Fix Flickering Laptop Screen and LCD Monitors

Reparing LCD Monitors – These LCD Monitor Problems Can Be Repaired Cheaply and Easily

As long as the LCD panel itself is not damaged, most LCD monitor problems can be repaired electronically, or through component replacement (like capacitors, transformers or power board fixes)

Even scratches or a star-burst pattern on the screen can be repaired – but broken glass or dark areas on the screen can't be fixed.

In the latter case, screen replacement is the only practical option.

Source Website

LCD Monitor Repair – Updated Tools, Techniques & Electronic Manuals

Pink LCD Monitor Screen - How To Repair LCD Monitor That Has Turned Pink

The monitor color has turned pink because the backlight has become old. Most LCD monitors use a cold cathode fluorescent bulb (CCFL bulb) as the backlight source, powered by an inverter.

 

When these bulbs become old, they start flickering or giving out a pink-colored light -- which is what you're seeing on your screen right now.
 

The best (and cheapest) way to fix this problem is to replace the backlight. You can get a case lighting kit cheaply from online stores (15" or 17" based on your monitor size). 

In most cases, you don't need to replace the inverter, so that will save you some extra bucks on the fix.

For more tips & tricks, visit:

LCD Monitor Repair - Fix Pink LCD Screen, Backlight Problems and more

Mastering Electronics - Recommended Books, Magazines, Websites To Boost Your Mastery of Electronics

Popular Electronics and Nuts & Volts are two of my regular reads for mastering electronic techniques. I love the DIY projects and tips for amateur and pros alike.

Some of my favorite electronic books (specially involving troubleshooting techniques) are  the ones written by the great Robert Goodman. These are two of his books:

• Using the Triggered Sweep Oscilloscope

• Troubleshooting with the Dual-Trace Scope

As far as my continuing education in electronics goes, I get most of my current knowledge from these 4 amazing websites:

• LCD Monitor Repair

• Electronic Testing & Repair

• Plasma TV Repair

• Projection TV Repair

This covers the practical gamut of technical & engineering resources that I personally use to master electronics.

LCD Monitor & TV Repair Cost – A Flat Rate For Repairs is Cheaper than an Hourly Rate

If you need to send out your LCD monitor or LCD TV for repairs, make sure you choose a flat rate over an hourly rate (specially when you have a choice).

A flat rate always works in your favor as long as the technician does a good job, while hourly rates can be a pain both to you and the repair guy.

I repair LCD monitors for a living and charge a flat fee of $75 for monitors up to 18” in size. It increases by $10 with each step up (i.e., $85 for a 19" monitor and $95 for a 20" monitor)

This includes labor & parts but excludes the cost of the LCD panel (if it needs to be replaced). Most LCD repairs come with a 90-day warranty on parts, so make sure you claim yours.

LCD Monitor, LCD TV and Plasma TV - Is It Cheaper to Repair or Replace?

Most people feel that it is cheaper to simply replace a monitor or television once it develops a fault, rather than try and repair it first.
 

That, unfortunately, is not always true.

When you're faced with a situation to repair or replace, consider the cost it took to buy a new TV (or monitor). Then approach at least 3 repair shops in your neighborhood and ask for a quoted invoice for the cost it will incur to repair your monitor or TV.

I recently repaired my 32" LCD TV for less than $300. The front screen had cracked and some of the electronic parts had to be replaced. I saved at least 30-40% by repairing instead of buying a new TV.

The difference becomes more evident when it involves something high-end like plasma televisions. It is usually far more expensive to buy a new Plasma TV than to repair it.

For more fresh insights, visit:
Plasma TV Repair | LCD TV Repair | LCD Monitor Repair

LCD Monitor Repair – 3 Cases When It Is Cheaper To Repair LCD Monitors

First up, check the reasons why your LCD monitor is not working.

• Is it is a burned capacitor which can be replaced quickly & cheaply?

• A cracked panel which costs $150-250 to replace?

• Or simply an ageing monitor that needs to be replaced in its entirety?

It is cheaper to repair LCD monitors when:

1. The cost of replacement parts (panel or capacitor) is lower than the cost of buying a new monitor.
2. New monitors related to the size you want (22”, 24”, 32” or 42”) are unavailable, incompatible or expensive for your buying budget.
3. Your monitor is new – but out of warranty – and needs only minor repairs. In this case, it is cheaper to replace the parts that are defective than to buy a new LCD monitor.

Source Website
LCD Monitor Repair – Power Tools, Techniques & Electronic Manuals

LCD Monitor with Dark Horizontal Lines Across the Screen – Cause & Repair Tips

When you see lines like these across your LCD, it indicates a problem with your monitor's electrolytic capacitors. A faulty filter capacitor in the power supply board (SMPS board) can cause horizontal lines across your monitor screen.

Horizontal screen lines are one of the most visible problems I see in LCD monitors that are 3-7 years old. It can happen as much from heat, humidity & less-than-ideal operating conditions, as it can from fluctuating current supply or manufacturing defects.

The way to repair horizontal screen lines is by removing the capacitors from the printed circuit board (PCB) and testing them with a LCR meter.

If it shows zero, there's your confirmation that the specific capacitor needs to be replaced.

Source Website

How to Repair Dark Horizontal Lines across the Monitor Screen

LCD Monitor & Dead Pixels - Can A Faulty Video Card Cause Dead Pixels In Your LCD Monitor?

Dead pixels are a common, but often unavoidable, part of how LCD monitor displays are manufactured. While technology has advanced and the incidence of dead pixels kept under control, it is not uncommon to find some of those "pixel dots" on a brand new LCD monitor.

But what about video cards? Can a faulty video card cause dead pixels? This was a question that someone actually asked me.

Well, the answer is a categorical "No"

A video card (or DVI card) can't cause dead pixels... BUT the additional features, clarity & resolution of the card can expose any dead pixels that the LCD monitor might have already had.

You can try reinstalling the graphic card drivers if it's a display problem (related to software or corrupted drivers), but dead pixels are always a hardware defect.

LCD Electronics Repair - This Component is a Common Cause of Failure in LCD Monitors

We are talking about Capacitors here. Having worked with electronics myself, I see a lot of repair shops hand you a new circuit board when all you need to fix your LCD monitor is a simple capacitor. 

With that in mind, here are 2 easy tips to make sure the PCB capacitors last longer:

• Get capacitors with a temperature rating higher than the original one. That is, if the original capacitors are rated at 85-105 degrees C, get replacements that are rated at 105 degrees C and higher, based on your monitor model.

• The higher temperature rating acts as a “threshold” against electronic component failure and prevents frequent replacement of dead parts.

To understand how it all works together, visit
LCD Electronics Repair – Techniques to Test & Repair Electronic Components

Laptop Screen Replacement - Quick & Easy Ways To Replace A Broken Laptop Screen

The easiest way to replace a laptop screen to drop it off at your local technician shop. But I usually like to fix monitors myself as it's far less expensive -- and not as hard as it seems.

For laptop screen replacement, the best option is to search Ebay for a replacement LCD. What you need to look for is an entire cover for your computer, or maybe even a full laptop with a defunct motherboard -- but an intact screen.

The advantage of doing this is that you not only get yourself a usable screen, but you also get extra memory sticks, a backup hard drive and whatever extras you can scavenge off of that replacement laptop.

If your laptop has the LCD unit glued to the frame, then it's better (and easier) to replace the whole cover itself.

For more tips & tricks, visit

The LCD Monitor Repair website - Electronics & Hardware Training

How To Repair Common Hardware & Electronic Problems of a LCD Monitor

Common problems that affect a LCD monitor include:

• Failing backlight bulb
• Burned capacitors
• Scratched or cracked panel
• Dark screen with dim light
• Non-functional inverter board which cuts off power supply to your monitor screen

If the screen panel is cracked, there isn't much you can do except go for screen replacement. But simple scratches can be fixed for under $10 with a LCD scratch repair kit.

If your monitor has become dim (dark), this is because of a failing backlight or power supply board. You can replace them both with low-cost parts from Ebay.

As long as your LCD panel is not damaged, most hardware & electronic problems can be fixed by repairing / replacing the backlight, inverter or a simple electrolytic capacitor.

For more tips & tricks, visit

LCD Monitor Repair: A-Z Solutions to LCD Monitor Problems

Computer Monitor Repair Course – Affordable PC Electronics Courses That Are Open To All

If you’re planning to enroll in an electronics course online, you have 2 options:

1. Distance learning
2. Independent study

In the US, reputed institutes like the Cleveland Institute of Electronics (CIE) and Penn Foster Career School have been offering distance learning courses in computer monitor repair.

Most of them include CDs, instructions manuals and assorted kits and take anywhere from a few weeks to 4 years to complete.

But what if you want quicker, more affordable course options?

In that case, try independent electronics study through download courses.

One of the famous ones – as far as electronics study is concerned – is master engineer Jestine Yong's LCD Monitor Repair course.

It reveals some of the most in-demand techniques in electronics troubleshooting along with a full coverage of engineering projects & cutting-edge tools.

This saves you both time & money as you gain professional skills for a fraction of the cost of a distance learning course. The course is also frequently updated with new material from the electronics world.

To know more, visit

LCD Electronics – Full PC Electronics Course with Tools, Techniques & Manuals

CCFL Backlight - The Weak Electronic Link in the Performance of a LCD Monitor

Though LCD backlight is expected to last 4-7 years without problems, some tubes start dimming as early as 1-2 years.

A number of factors contribute to backlight failure:

• voltage fluctuation & brownout
• cheap parts / fake parts / used parts 
• humidity & heat 
• (in rare cases) a quality or manufacturing defect

Since the CCFL backlight lights up the screen, losing it will cause the screen to dim, and hence, it is a weak electronic link in the overall usability of a LCD monitor.

Here are some facts about the LCD backlight bulb:

• A backlight is a thin fluorescent tube that lights up the LCD screen
• Most backlights are either EL (electroluminescent) or CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp)
• A new backlight tube has a life span from 5,000-15,000 hours of usage before it loses 50% of its brightness.

Source Website

LCD Monitor Repair – How To Fix the CCFL Backlight & more

Acer LCD Monitor Problem – How To Repair Acer Monitor That Resets & Restarts

This is a problem with many LCD monitors, including Acer. When I turn it on, it shows the Acer logo but then resets and restarts without reason. I'm also unable to manually reset it, and the only option is to unplug it from the socket. How do you fix it?
 

• Monitor restarting is a problem with some 19" Acer LCD monitors (specially Acer AL1912 & Acer AL1916). The reason is corrosion on the circuit board that holds the buttons.

• You can fix this by removing the flat panel with the with 3 screws that hold the button board.

• Disconnect the tiny cable from the board and use a toothpick to clean between the solder connections where the ribbon cable plugs into button board.

For more, visit

LCD Monitor Repair – Learn How To Fix Acer LCD Monitor Problems