2014 Archives

[siilionu]

So today I was replacing my broken laptop screen with a new one and everything was perfect until I got to testing the new screen if it works and it did (I was very happy). But the part of this replacement process where I was an idiot was that I tested the screen before assembling the laptop, without securing the cables and all that. And while holding the screen in my hands the cable slipped out and then I tried connecting it again (and I did that while computer was powered on!). So when I was plugging in the cable there was some electricity sizzling or little sparkles if you know what I mean and then the computer shut down. When I start it up again it shuts down after about 7 seconds. I have noticed this very high pitch sound near the power button for few seconds after it shuts down if it means anything. I've tried turning it on using the power cord and the battery, both give same results. So did I burn something? Or is it an electricity problem? I also tried to google but I didn't find any posts clearly describing the same issue. Mainly people's computers shut down so fast because overheating and dust problems but my computer is clean. I ended up at short circuits. May it be something close to that? Maybe you can already tell if I have to replace parts or if there is a fix? Or should I let and expert to look at it at first?

Any help and suggestions will be appreciated.

[Vince53]

I'm sorry that you're having this problem.

It appears that you have physically damaged your machine, so there is no software solution that we can give you. I advise you to check the prices on new machines first, and then go to a reputable computer shop for an estimate.

[siilionu]

Oh, so it is that serious. Everything looks like is working though but it just shuts down. Well that's sad. It was a really stupid and costly mistake I made. Lesson learned. Thank you for the reply.

[JackE]

Since your computer powered down when you dropped the ribbon cable, and it powers back on at least temporarily, there's a possibility that the ribbon cable itself has a low level leakage --- maybe carbonization from the spark. I suggest you try replacing the video cable before anything else since they're relatively inexpensive from Amazon at less than $20.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=v3-571%20video%20cable

Jack E/NJ 

PS: And don't forget to remove the battery and power supply while you're replacing stuff! BTW, the high pitched sound you hear near the power button could in fact be coming the leakage path from the cable as it's routed very tightly and tortuosly thru the hinge area, a place where ribbon conductor faults frequently occur from opening and closing the lid so often.

[siilionu]

Hmm... But if I start the computer without the cable and the screen attached to it then it should work right? But It doesn't work even without them so the problem could not be in the cable. That's just my logic, correct me if i'm wrong. And I tried to listen to where that high pitched sound came from and I think it is made by the fan when it starts rotating and when it stops. It's probably normal and shouldn't pay attention to it. You can only hear it when you put your ear really close. As much as I have searched and read from the internet for now I suspect that it is the motherboard that is faulty. But i'm not sure at all, that's why i'm here.

[JackE]

OK. To check the video adapter on the MB, disconnect the videocam cable to the LCD & cam, preferrably at both ends. Then try an HDMI or VGA cable to an external TV or monitor with the usual Fn+F5 or Fn+F6 toggling to see if you get a screen and no shut down.

Jack E/NJ

[siilionu]

I tried the external monitor but... still nothing. The monitor did not turn on and the computer still shuts down. But if I remember correctly then the screen did not turn on before that 7 seconds before everything else had started up (the fan made its starting noise etc) and after that the Acer logo appeared. But I don't remember if at first the screen turned on and was just black (not like completely black but backlight black) or it did not turn on at all. At the moment it doesn't turn on at all.

[JackE]

Did you completely remove the ribbon cable from the MB and the internal LCD display & cam when you did the external monitor test? This ribbon cable must be removed to eliminate it as the problem. If you did remove it and you stil got nothing on the external monitor, then I'm sorry to say that you probably did fry the video adapter on the MB.

Jack E/NJ 

[siilionu]

Yes, I removed it completely. Ok, so my computer is basically toast. Can you replace and would replacing motherboard help? If yes, would it be worth replacing? I assume it is one of the most expensive parts in a computer. But I've kinda realized that I should better start looking for a new computer and let go of this topic. It wouldn't be that big of a deal if my Acer wasn't still kinda new (just few months over a year), when I'd expect it to live atleast few more years but meh.. Mistakes are the best teachers. Thank you for your time.

[JackE]

Sorry about that. If it was my dilemma, I'd spend a bit of time searching and watching the local ads  for a good deal on another new machine rather than try to replace the MB. Probably would wind up spending about the same amount of money going either way. I don't know how the screen originally got broken in the first place, but if it makes you feel any better, it's possible the video adapter/MB sustained initial damage when that happened and the spark just put the final nail in the coffin.  The old HD hopefuly should still be fine so if you have anything important on it, you can still retrieve it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Jack E/NJ