My Chromebook Acer Spin 713 has developed horizontal screen lines and ghostly screen appearance

Xevious
Xevious Member Posts: 2 New User
edited August 2023 in Chromebooks

I have a Chromebook Acer Spin 713 Model Number: CP713-2W. I'm getting these strange horizontal lines at the top of my screen all of a sudden, which stay there and gradually get worse as long as the screen stays on. Eventually, the entire screen ends up in this ghostly fog-like screen filter. I've also powerwashed the Chromebook but this has made no difference.

The Chromebook's have been exceptionally well looked aftered, remains in a case when not in use, never dropped it or anything like that in the two and half years I've owned it. Reading some other comments here on this Chromebook model, common cause of this kind of issue is an internal lead to the screen becoming partially unplugged or degrading through use. What are my options at this point considering warranty has expired? I understand there is an Acer repair centre in Tewksbury. Should I post the chromebook for repairs there or can I simply drop it in since Tewksbury is relatively near to where I am?

Answers

  • Xevious
    Xevious Member Posts: 2 New User
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,246 Trailblazer

    There are only a few things that can cause that type of symptom, some of which are unfortunately bad. The most common and easiest to fix is an issue with the eDP cable that runs between the motherboard and display. If there is a physical issue with the cable itself, like a pinch, it can act like that but more often it's an issue with where the cable connects at either end. Here's a picture of the motherboard with the case opened and the battery removed:

    "J" is the connection in question. You could clean the contact with an alcohol swab or by seating and reseating it several times. On the display side it's a bit more of an effort to get access, since that outer bezel needs to be pried out carefully. Once you have access the connector in question is shown here:

    As you can see, the video portion of the eDP cable is fairly short, but it continues all the way around to where it connects to the camera and microphone at the top.

    If cleaning and reseating the cable ends doesn't change anything, then the next most common failure is the display itself. They are expensive enough that it's often cheaper to just buy a used replacement laptop than to replace the display.

    Finally the issue could potentially be with the video circuits on the motherboard. That would require a MB replacement and it's almost certainly not cost effective on these low cost systems.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.