Buying and using a laptop - articles, tips and advice

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Laptop Hardware Repair

A laptop is essential for students and working individuals. Because of its portability, users can write important papers, connect to the Internet via wireless modems, and can even watch movies anytime and anywhere. But without proper care, this machine can break down, and especially, there can be problems with the LCD monitor. Here are some tips that can help you in troubleshooting your laptop's LCD monitor.

Is there something wrong with your screen? If this is so, then there is a possibility that the LCD (liquid crystal display) backlight of your laptop is broken. The LCD backlight is the source of light that gives you a clearer visual of your screen. Symptoms of LCD damage include:

- Dim laptop LCD

- Flickering screen

- Faint images on your LCD

- No video image

- Faded laptop LCD

A laptop backlight is composed of four parts and these are:

- Laptop inverter

- LCD lamp

- Inverter cable

- Toggle switch

Damage to any of these parts may result to the symptoms stated above. Unfortunately, there is no other way to be sure if one of these parts are damaged without using a tester. Some of the main causes of damage to these parts include age and excessive use of your laptop. Parts such as the LCD lamp usually last for two years minimum.

Aside from the blacklight, it is possible that your LCD screen itself is damaged. This problem can be very serious because the LCD is the most fragile and expensive part of your laptop. Symptoms of LCD damage include:

- Decolorization of your screen

- Appearance of stripes or lines on your screen

LCD damage is usually caused by hard impacts to your laptop. Remember, the LCD is a very sensitive and fragile piece of equipment. Even the slightest amount of pressure on your LCD can cause it to break.

The only way to repair the backlight and the LCD monitor is to replace them. Replacing the LCD monitor alone can cost you around $250 and that is apart from the $120 service fee that most laptop repair companies charge.