Blank White Screen - PC Help Forum - Free Computer Help, Windows, Hardware, Software and more!

notech · #1 03-30-2008

Hi folks,, yesterday i was using my laptop (HP Pavilion dv2175ea) and while in the middle
of typing a reply to a post on a forum the screen slowly turned white and i am unable to
see anything.. While this was happening,, i could hear the CPU running at Max speed..
I've tried to boot into safe mode,, and although i cant see anything,, i think it is actually starting up
in safe mode because it doesn't continue to boot normally because i don't hear the sound that's played
when XP is booted normally..
Everything is up to date on the laptop including all my antispyware and antivirus apps and all necessary
updates from Microsoft.. I'm just wondering is there anything i can try to do with it before i hand it over to
a technician to get him to have a look at it for me..
Any advise as always is much appreciated..
Thanks in advance..

tec..

madmonkey · #2 03-30-2008

Sounds like hardware notech, as apposed to a software issue, most likely the backlight. Do you see anything, the post screen for example when you first switch the laptop on? When your in Windows, if you look closely at the screen, can you see the image very very faintly? What you could try is plugging a tft screen into the back of the laptop to see if you get a picture. This would at least make onboard graphics unlikely, which would be the most costly to repair.

notech · #3 03-30-2008

Hi mate,, no i have a bios pass on it and i cant even faintly see the box to enter it and when
i do boot it i'm just looking at it now and all i can see is some faint coloured lines that are
running diagonally on the screen.. So you reckon it's a job for my local PC doctor??
Thanks for your reply mate..

tec..

madmonkey · #4 03-30-2008

Well when it's backlight failure, you can see the image faintly most of the time, but even then, you may need to be in a dark room. To be honest, the majority of screen problems I find is normally either the backlight or the small lead that runs from the screen itself to the mainboard. From what you described, with the screen getting brighter, I have only seen this happen when the backlight has failed. Just to make sure, hold down the FN key and press the brightness up button, normally one of the F keys at the top, or one of the arrow keys to make sure that the brightness isn't turned down. You maybe lucky.

If it is the backlight (most likely), then it's doesn't cost an awful lot to repair, so if you can, plug a screen in the back just to make sure it's not the board, because if it is the board (least likely), you might want to think about getting another laptop as the cost of repairing a faulty laptop motherboard maybe a little too much.

If you wanted to check the cable, I should be able to talk you through it as long as your reasonably technically minded. It's mainly the 30-40 screws you have to get past first, but it's completely up to you. The reason why I mentioned the cable, is because it's located between the screen hinges, and this can normally wear or losen the connection to the board. Dealing with screens seems to be a topic for debate amoungst the techs here. When it comes to replacing a screen, I would personally advice agaist it, unless you have experience because it's a lot of money to screw up if you get it wrong. Other tech's here will say yes, go ahead.

notech · #5 03-30-2008

Originally Posted by madmonkey

..If you wanted to check the cable, I should be able to talk you through it as long as your reasonably technically minded. It's mainly the 30-40 screws you have to get past first, but it's completely up to you. The reason why I mentioned the cable, is because it's located between the screen hinges, and this can normally wear or losen the connection to the board..

I'll have to get back to ya on that one mate.. I am reasonably technically minded,, but i "May" be
in luck because the Laptop might still be in warranty.. There was a one year warranty
with it but i'm not sure if it was up last month or it may be good until next month..
I just have to wait until later on this evening until her self gets in from work so i can
get her to dig out the receipt for me.. (Fingers Crossed) But if the warranty is up,, then i'll
go ahead and check the wire to see is that the cause of my problems,, but i will need your help
while doing this.. Thanks again for your replies mate,, and i'll get back to ya as
soon as i know where i stand.. Cheers..

tec..

madmonkey · #6 03-30-2008

No prob's