Screen flickering/glitching on Aspire S13 / S5-371 Series; Model no. N16C4

gchamburg

Hi, my laptop is about five years old and I had to fix the hinges about a year ago. I took the frame (is this sometimes called the bezel?) off and didn't touch anything really apart from the hinges. I added a little bit of glue to keep the hinges stuck to the hinges, but I thought I was careful not to add too much or add so much that it leaked out the sides etc or onto any cables. Recently tho, whenever I have the screen in a certain position (if I move it up or down), the screen flickers over and over and interrupts viewing films or Zooming etc. I have to keep moving the screen up and down until it finds a spot where the screen doesn't flicker. Normally, the flicker is multicoloured and causes the screen to be broken. There's nothing wrong with the actual screen itself as far as I can see - there's no cracks or splits etc. Do I need to replace the whole screen or can anyone inform me that there's a loose cable perhaps?

FYI - I am a complete novice when it comes to laptops and laptop terms. I've watched a couple of YouTube videos about fitting a new screen but I don't know all the jargon. EDP cable, bezel, a 2cm 30 pin/2.5cm 40 pin etc...

I hope someone can help because I can't afford to pay the off 300 euros it would take for me to repair it in a shop

billsey

Typically when you start seeing screen glitches that are dependent on screen position it's due to the cable that runs between the motherboard and display starting to have cracks internally from the repeated flexing when opening and closing the laptop. There's not a lot to be done other than replacing the cable. Your Aspire S5-371 doesn't have a touch screen (the Aspire S5-371T does) so the Acer part number on that cable is: 50.GCHN2.005. Try searching on that number to find a supplier that ships to your locale. You've already got some experience with disassembly, you'll just have to also pull the screen side of things apart to access to both ends of the cable for replacement.

The screen bezel comes off by freeing the latches across the bottom, then the sides and finally the top. It's not too hard, just a little scary getting the latches loose.

gchamburg

Thanks for your help. I've fitted the new cable now and everything went fine, I thought. The pins were connected all properly and all fitted straight in and look flush against each other, yet when I restarted my laptop the screen is greyed out around the edges and a few times when I start my laptop all I see is a bright white screen. I feel like I've done more damage than good, despite the pins all being fitted in gently and without any gaps or askew etc

Also, since I fitted the new cable, despite it all being snugly fitted etc, if I move the screen still there's still interruptions. Purple and grey vertical lines. The lines only really appear if I touch the connection that goes into the actual screen. The connection on the underside and the connection to the webcam seem to be fine.

gchamburg

billsey said:

Typically when you start seeing screen glitches that are dependent on screen position it's due to the cable that runs between the motherboard and display starting to have cracks internally from the repeated flexing when opening and closing the laptop. There's not a lot to be done other than replacing the cable. Your Aspire S5-371 doesn't have a touch screen (the Aspire S5-371T does) so the Acer part number on that cable is: 50.GCHN2.005. Try searching on that number to find a supplier that ships to your locale. You've already got some experience with disassembly, you'll just have to also pull the screen side of things apart to access to both ends of the cable for replacement.

The screen bezel comes off by freeing the latches across the bottom, then the sides and finally the top. It's not too hard, just a little scary getting the latches loose.

To add another comment to my one yesterday, it seems like the main issue is the thin black strip attached under to the screen which says 'Don't Touch!' on it. There's something loose in there because to get any kind of image I have to press it in the right way for the screen to work.

Does it sound like I need a completely new screen? Why can't I touch this part anyway? Is it toxic?

billsey

Can you show me a picture of what you are describing? There is usually black adhesive tape holding the connectors on. It sounds like you don't have the connector fully seated.

gchamburg

billsey said:

Can you show me a picture of what you are describing? There is usually black adhesive tape holding the connectors on. It sounds like you don't have the connector fully seated.

 Hi, I bought a new screen and now it's working perfectly. The connector was fully seated but it was the black strip of tap under the screen (the one which said 'Don't Touch!" on it which was the problem. There must have been something loose in there. I don't know why you can't touch or open this part of the screen, but hey-ho, it's working now 

Thanks a lot for taking the time to help me! It saved me a costly trip to the repair shop. They wanted to charge about 200 just to change the screen, so I've saved that and only paid out on expenses, even it didn't happen to be the display cable in the end. Have a great weekend!

gchamburg

billsey said:

Can you show me a picture of what you are describing? There is usually black adhesive tape holding the connectors on. It sounds like you don't have the connector fully seated.

Just if you're interested this is the part I'm talking about. The corner with the tape was my attempt at keeping it in the correct position so it would continue to work until the repalcement came, but that didn't work either so it was inevitable that I had to buy a new screen anyway. Any idea what's actually under the "Don't Touch!" part? Sounds toxic or dangerous to me

billsey

I doubt it's toxic, more likely fragile...