HowTo: LCD Display Inverter Replacement...

Introduction

Problems with the backlight on your laptop is one of the most common laptop problems. In most cases the LCD display inverter is the cause of the problem.

Here are some LCD screen backlight failure symptoms that could be related to a bad inverter board:

- Laptop boots as usual but after some time the screen blacks out. You still can see an image on the screen but it’s very dim. You might even use a flashlight to see it better. Sometimes the backlight comes back for a while but then goes off again. In some cases you can turn the backlight on if you tap rapidly on the lid close switch.
- The screen always stay black and the backlight never comes on but you still can make out an image on the LCD. It’s dark, but the image is still there.
-In some cases you might hear a buzzing noise coming from the area where the inverter board is located, it’s on the bottom part of the display assembly.

NOTE: if you cannot see an image on the screen, most likely you have a different problem and there is nothing wrong with the display inverter.

In this posting, I describe an example of replacing the display inverter board on an HP Pavilion laptop. This guide will work fine for any other HP laptop. Replacing a display inverter on other laptops like Dell, Toshiba, IBM, etc… will not be much different.

System Information

The laptop that I replaced the display inverter is a HP Pavilion dv5-1002nr, running Windows Vista Home Premium Edition (32-bit). [As shown above.]

Display Description
15.4-inch WXGA Brightview display assembly [HP Spare Part Number: 484367-001]

Preliminary replacement requirements
The following sections include some of the considerations that you must keep in mind during disassembly and assembly procedures.

Tools required
You will need the following tools to complete the removal and replacement procedures:
● Magnetic screwdriver
● Phillips P0 and P1 screwdrivers
● Flat-bladed screwdriver

Service considerations
NOTE: As you remove each subassembly from the computer, place the subassembly (and all accompanying screws) away from the work area to prevent damage.

Cables and connectors
CAUTION: When servicing the computer, be sure that cables are placed in their proper locations during the reassembly process. Improper cable placement can damage the computer.

Preliminary Safety Instructions

Before locating, removing and replacing LCD inverter, follow these steps:
1. Shut down the computer. If you are unsure whether the computer is off or in Hibernation, turn the laptop on, and then shut it down through the operating system.
2. Disconnect all external devices connected to the computer.
3. Disconnect the power from the computer by first unplugging the power cord from the AC outlet and then unplugging the AC adapter from the computer.
4. Remove the battery.

Figure 1

a) Turn the computer upside down on a flat surface. [See Figure 1 above.]
b) Slide the battery release latch (1) to release the battery.
c) Pivot the battery (2) upward and remove it (3) from the computer.
d) To insert the battery, insert the rear edge of the battery into the battery bay and pivot the front edge of the battery downward until it is seated. The battery release latch automatically locks the battery into place.

LCD Inverter Replacement Steps

1. Remove the Switch Cover.

Figure 2

a) Position the computer with the front toward you.
b) Remove the following screws [See Figure 2 above.]:
(1) Two Phillips PM2.5×7.0 screws that secure the switch cover to the computer
(2) Three Phillips PM2.0×4.0 screws that secure the switch cover to the computer.

Figure 3

d) Open the computer as far as possible. [See Figure 3 above.]
e) Lift the rear edge of the switch cover (1) until it detaches from the computer.
f) Slide the switch cover (2) back until it rests on the display.

Figure 4

2. Releasing the display assembly from the laptop. [See Figure 4 above.]
a) First, the switch cover should be positioned as far from the display assembly as allowed by the cables connected to the switch cover. This will allow access to screws connecting the display assembly to the laptop.
b) Remove the four Phillips PM2.5×7.0 screws (1) that secure the display assembly to the laptop.
c) Lift the display assembly as far away from the laptop as possibly allowed by the display cables (2).

Figure 5

3. Removing the Display Bezel.
a) Remove the following screw covers and screws [See Figure 5 above]:
- Two rubber screw covers on the display bezel bottom edge (1).
- Two Phillips PM2.5×7.0 screws (2).

Figure 6

b) Flex the inside edges of the top edge (1), the left and right sides (2), and the bottom edge of the display bezel (3) until the bezel disengages from the display enclosure. Remove the display bezel (4). [The display bezel is available using the HP Spare Part Number 486532-001.]

Figure 7

4. Replacing the display inverter. [See Figure 7 above.]
a) If it is necessary to replace the display inverter, release the display inverter (1) as far from the display enclosure as far as the display panel cable and backlight cable allow.
b) Disconnect the display panel cable (2) and the backlight cable (3) from the display inverter.
c) Remove the display inverter. [The display inverter is available from HP using Spare Part Number 488317-001.]

Below is a picture of the replacement display inverter. The image shows both sides of inverter.



5. Inserting the new LCD inverter.
a) Connect the display panel cable and the backlight cable to the display inverter.
b) Reverse steps 1-4 above in order to complete the inverter replacement.
c) As a final step, connect the battery and power cables to the laptop and power up the laptop.

Note: If all the steps were successful, then the LCD display should now be functioning correctly.

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HowTo: Disable Linksys (Micro Trend) HND Service....

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How to Disable the Home Network Defender service in LELA
Many of the most current Linksys/Cisco routers come with the Linksys EasyLink Advisor software. Within this software is an option to activate the Home Network Defender (HND) service (that offers safe web surfing and parental control when accessing the internet).

However, many people including myself do not need or want this level of control. I have noticed on the web that many would like to know how to disable this service. This blog posting describes in some detail how to disable HND through the Linksys Easylink Advisor software.

First, we will start with describing HND.

HND Definition
Home Network Defender (HND) powered by Trend Micro is designed to protect you and your family against cybercriminals and online predators by stopping threats before they get into your home network.

The Linksys by Cisco router with HND provides a blanket of protection for your entire home network. HND provides a first line of defense by stopping web threats at the router layer. HND comes with two options for protection:

Safe Web Surfing is designed to keep you and your family from being directed to malicious content or masquerading web pages that may steal your personal information.

A Parental Control management console helps ensure that family members view only appropriate content.

HND also includes a comprehensive reporting feature so you know what content is being viewed by whom.

Linksys by Cisco Router:
I am using a WRT310N linksys router with LELA version 3.11 install on my PC system.

Steps to Disabling HND

1. Open the LELA software. [Click on image to enlarge]



2. Next, click on the Tasks/Tools button at the bottom of the LELA window. [Click on image to enlarge]



3. Next, click on the Home Network Defender button. [Click on image to enlarge]



4. Now, click on the Manage Home Network Defender button. [Click on image to enlarge]



5. Finally, click on each of the On switch buttons to the right of both Safe Web Surfing and Parental Controls. By clicking on the buttons, it will change their status to Off. [Click on image to enlarge]



Note: If you haven't previously setup login information in the My Account of LELA, then you will be required to provide a valid email address and new password when changing the On/Off switches. [You can click on the My Account button of the main LELA window to see your current login information]. [Click on image to enlarge]



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HowTo: Setting-Up a Linksys Wireless-N Router with Cable Internet Service...

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Most cable ISPs use a MAC Authentication to establish Internet connections for end-users. A Media Access Control (MAC) address is assigned a unique 48-bit (6-byte) integer that is attached to an Ethernet NIC for each computer. To set-up your Linksys router to a Cable ISP, you have to do MAC Cloning. MAC Cloning is a procedure which enables a router to copy the MAC address of the PC that's registered with the ISP.

To setup a Linksys router with Cable connection you need to perform five steps:

1. Verifying Internet Connection
2. Connecting Devices Together
3. Checking the Router's LEDs
4. Configuring a Linksys Router for a Cable Connection
5. Power Cycling

Note: Before proceeding, use the computer that can go online when connected to the modem and follow the steps below.

1. Verifying Internet Connection

Connect the Broadband modem to the computer using an Ethernet cable without the router installed and make sure that the Internet connection is active. If it is not, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If it can go online, the PC connected to the modem is the one that's registered with the ISP. After verifying the Internet connection, proceed in connecting the devices together.



Note: The image may vary depending on the computer and modem you're using.

2. Connecting the Devices Together

After ensuring that you have an active Internet connection, connect the modem to the router's Internet port and the computer to any of the four Ethernet ports.



After connecting the devices together, proceed in checking the router's LEDs. For instructions, follow the steps below.

3. Checking the LEDs

After connecting your modem and PC to the router, check the lights on the front panel of the router.

After checking the router's LEDs, proceed in setting-up the Linksys router for cable connection.

4. Configuring a Linksys Router for a Cable Connection

Step 1: Open a web browser such as Internet Explorer.

Step 2:Go to the Address bar and enter your router’s IP address ("192.168.1.1" is the default IP of most Linksys routers) then press [Enter].

Step 3: A new window will prompt for a User name and Password. Leave the User name field blank then enter your router’s password ("admin" is the default password), then click OK.



Step 4: When the router's web-based setup page appears, look for Internet Connection Type and make sure it is set to Automatic Configuration - DHCP.



Step 3: Click on Save Settings.

Step 4: Click MAC Address Clone then select Enabled.




Step 5: Click on Clone My PC's MAC.

Step 6: Click on Save Settings.

Step 7: Click on Status Tab.

Step 8: Check the value of the IP Address. If the IP Address has numbers, this means the router has been properly configured. You should now be able to access the Internet. If you're not online, perform a power cycle to synchronize the router with the modem.

Note: If the IP Address is all zeroes (0.0.0.0) perform a power cycle. After configuring the router for cable connection and you're still having difficulties getting online, proceed in performing a power cycle.

5. Power Cycling

Step 1:
Shutdown the computer.

Step 2:
Unplug the router's power cable.

Step 3:
Unplug the Broadband modem's power cable and wait for 30 seconds.

Step 4:
Plug in the Broadband modem's power cable and wait for its lights to appear stable.

Step 5:
Plug in the router's power cable once the modem's lights appear stable.

Step 6:
Power on the computer on and test the Internet connection.

Note: If you're not online after performing this procedure, you may need to upgrade the firmware of the router.

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HowTo: Wireless Router Setup (Part 2/2)...

Setup of Laptop to Wireless Network

To Be Completed Shortly.

Previous>>

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HowTo: Wireless Router Setup (Part 1/2)...

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In this blog post, I am going to describe the setup and installation of my wireless router as part of my home network. The description will be in two parts. First, the setup and installation of the router to my desktop PC and second, the setup of my laptop as a client of the wireless network.

My Hardware Setup:
The How To Setup will be specific to the following hardware, but it will give you a general guideline to setting up a wireless router as part of your home network.

Wireless Router: Linksys WRT310N (N-Gigabit Wireless Router)



Desktop PC: Custom built PC with system running Windows XP Service Pack 3



Laptop: Compaq Presario CQ50-115NR Notebook PC (running Windows Vista 32-bit)



DSL Modem: Verizon DSL Modem (already connected directly to the Desktop PC)



Cables: Two Cat 5 cables (one already used by the modem and the other one that comes in the box with the Linksys wireless router).

LinkSys Router Setup

Physical Setup of a LinkSys Router
Each model of router will differ slightly, but the general design is similar across all models. Therefore, the setup is similar across all models.

First, insert the Setup Wizard CD (that came with the router) into the CD drive of the Desktop.


The setup screen below will then appear on the desktop. [Click on Image to Enlarge]



Step 1: Click on the Start Setup Button to proceed and the next setup window below will appear. [Click on Image to Enlarge]



Step 2: Click on the Next button to proceed to the License Agreement Window (as shown below [Click Image to Enlarge]). Accept the Agreement and click Next to continue with the setup.



Step 3: The Setup wizard will check your connections and display the widow below. Click Next.



Step 4: The Setup Wizard may display a series of screens that will walk you through the Router's physical installation. Follow the instructions on these screens:
a) Unplug the power cord from the DSL modem.
b) Unplug the ethernet cable from the desktop PC ethernet Port and plug the cable into the port labelled "Internet".
c) Plug the other Ethernet cable into one of the available ports on the router.
d) Plug the other end of that same cable into an Ethernet port on your PC.
e) Reconnect the power cord to the DSL modem.
f) Wait approx. 30 seconds for the DSL modem to power up before continuing.
g) Next, connect power to the linksys router and waiting approx. 60 seconds before continuing.

Step 5: When the Configuration Complete screen appears, click Next.

LinkSys Router Configuration
LinkSys routers now ship with a Setup Wizard which is intended to simplfy basic configuration tasks.

Step 6: The remaining configuration screens (starting with the one below) may ask you to change some of the router settings. Follow the instructions in these remaining screens until you see the Network Configured Screen. Click the Next button to close the setup wizard.



Note: At this point, the setup should be successfully completed.

Click on the web browser, to verify that you can connect to the internet okay.

In my setup, I logged into my router to change some configuation options. This is not a required step. The LinkSys router ships with default settings that enable it to work right out of the box in most environments.

Logging in to a LinkSys Router
Once your web browser is open, go to the URL http://192.168.1.1/. This will take you to a popup box which asks you to enter a username and password.

The username is either blank or "admin" and the default password is "admin". Note, you may have already changed this to something else during the Wizard Setup.

Once you are past the login screen, you are able to access (and change) a plethora of configuration options for your router. From here the configuration options that you choose are largely up to your own personal preference.

Since this is a wireless router, it is recommended to change the setting for the SSID to identify the router as your own and configuring WAP2 to encrypt your wireless traffic. Again, this will part of your own preferences.

In part two of this posting, I am going to describe the general setup of a laptop for the wireless connection to my home network.

Part 2/2>>

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Tech Posts on My Laptop PC...

Hello!

This blog site was setup to posts technical issues and discussions on laptop/PC software and hardware.

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