Asus U50A screen problems

Was this a factory OEM replacement?

http://www.asus.com/Notebooks_Ultrabooks/X58L/#support_Knowledge

Don't know why I did that.

Asus Support. Those two words don't even belong in the same sentence. (Neither does Toshiba Support, or Acer Support)

Notice the large statement?

NEED SERVICE?

(In otherwords GOT MONEY?)

Rant over.

Janet,

The problem will be;
1) Graphics chipset
or,
2) Video Cable,
or,
3) screen Inverter,
or,
4) LCD screen

I'm betting it's the economical, and easy to replace - screen Inverter.

Laptop on, shine a bright flashlight at the LCD screen of the laptop; and shine at various angles.

See faint images?
Backlight is out, or screen Inverter is out.
90 percent of the time the fault is the screen Inverter.

Moving on........

A) Graphics chipset:
Laptop OFF, monitor OFF, connect a VGA monitor to the laptop.
The VGA port is on the Back of the laptop.

This is a General example of a VGA port (Connector), and VGA Cable,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_Connector

Scroll down a little for VGA Cable example.
You can use a CRT type of monitor, (Looks like a small TV), or a flat LCD screen monitor if it has a VGA cable.

Turn the monitor on. If a CRT type allow it to warm up.
Turn the laptop on.

By factory default settings, the display should show on the external VGA monitor.
IF not;

There are at least 3 display options available;

1) Internal monitor of laptop ONLY
2) Internal monitor of laptop AND external VGA monitor
3) External VGA monitor ONLY

Hold the Fn key down, and at the SAME time; tap once on the F8 key.
The F8 key is the Display Toggle-Over key.

(User Manual indicates not all laptops, may use the same Function keys.
Whatever Asus.
The Display Toggle-Over key has LCD on it, surrounded by a rectangular line. Has a small monitor icon to the right of it )

Display on external VGA monitor? No?
Hold the Fn key down again, and tap once more on the F8 key.

No display on external VGA monitor, indicates a problem with the graphics chipset.

Display ON external monitor, indicates a problem with the;
1) Video Cable,
or
2) screen Inverter,
or
3) LCD screen

Perform the 'flashlight test'. No faint images go on to the external VGA monitor test.

Post back in a Comment.
We'll go from there.

Regards,
joecoolvette

(There are NO service manuals available, to the public.
Thank Asus for that. To procede though can be done.

This will require a partial disassembly of the laptop, to include removing the Keyboard, and Palm Rest Cover.

Together we can accomplish this if needed.

May do something I never do, and that is because of no Service Manual available. May ask you to buy a replacement screen Inverter, and replace it.
Need other information above FIRST.

Average cost is around $25 to $30.
The plastic frame in front of the LCD screen is the Display Bezel.

The screen Inverter is located behind the Display Bezel, and mounted to the bottom of the LCD screen assembly.

(Clip or a Philips head screw)

Average example,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Genuine-NEW-Original-Asus-X58L-laptop-Series-LCD-Inverter-08G21VJ10107-/290873311574?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b9668156

Doesn't require removing Keyboard, and Palm Rest Cover.
DOES require removing all power. AC adapter (Charger), and Battery.

Toshiba laptop LCD screen. It is to provide you with high quality laptop inverter replacement. The design of the Toshiba laptop LCD screen is 100% compatible with the Toshiba digital or model manufacturers.


Product Features:
1. Model: Toshiba laptop LCD screen
2. Each test notebook computer LCD screen before shipment, 100% of the working conditions:
3.100% new high quality replacement Toshiba laptop LCD screen
4. Toshiba inverter can be used for the other models and Inverter part No
5. Toshiba the notebook LCD InverterDefective backlight inverter can have the following symptoms:


Screen image, but the power light stays in
Dark display, but still readable
Flashing on and off of the screen between 1/2 to several seconds
The power indicator stays on, but no display and sound
Screen images, but LCD TV still has sound
Picture cycle on and off, as well as high-power LED lights


In good working condition. The best match for your device. High-quality, durable, easy to install. http://www.lcdinverters.net/Laptop-Inverter/Toshiba/Toshiba.html

That's because the LCD screen is going bad.

I would have said the screen Inverter, but the LCD screen uses LED's as a Backlight, and uses no screen Inverter.

http://www.screenaid.com/asus-eee-pc-701-laptop-lcd-screen-89-wsvga-glossy-led-p-36730.html

The above is just an example. Shop around for a better price, but advise make sure it is a reputable dealer. (I do NOT advertise for anybody)

1) http://pskillenrules.blogspot.com/2008/05/dismantling-eee-pc.html

(You can click on the photos to enlarge)

Found this recently. I feel number 2 adds to replacing the LCD screen, and number 3, also adds another idea for those who may be interested,

2) http://www.r3uk.com/index.php/tech-tips/34-disassembly-guides/78-asus-eeepc-model-4g-disassembly

Steps 1 through 10, THEN Steps 17 through 22. (You just want the LCD screen replace instructions)

3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8-BbOWVgXg

Regards,
joecoolvette

If you are saying your laptop shuts down when you remove the power cord then that's a sign that your battery is dead.

Batteries only have a useful life, then after that they have to be replaced. Once the useful life is up, most times the battery will not take a charge.

Some batteries will take a charge and say they are at 100% but as soon as you remove the power cord it doesn't take long before it is drained at 0%.

This is caused by a dead backlight and video inverter. These are relatively cheap to replace and it only requires the display be opened and one is a plug in card and the other is a picture tube type lamp that projects the backlight portion of the LCD, which in turn enables you to actually see what is on the display. Take it to any descent computer guy and it should cost no more than $60.00 to fix. Let me know if you require additional information..

An LCD screen cannot produce enough light by itself. It needs an additional source of light.
A Backlight is used as the additional light source.

A Backlight is a CCFL.
Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp.
Similar to the Fluorescent lighting used in homes and businesses, but on a MUCH smaller scale.

The LCD screen is a composite of layers, surrounded by a thin metal frame that resembles a picture frame.
To one side of the LCD screen layers, and under the frame is usually where the Backlight is mounted.
[Note* Two Backlights are used in some models]

Replacing a Backlight is more labor intensive than replacing an Inverter.
Due to this, and the cost, the LCD screen itself is replaced as a unit most of the time, when it comes to Backlight replacement.

Example of a replacement LCD screen for the HP G5000 series of Notebook PC's,

https://www.screentekinc.com/HP_G5000_Series--15.4-inch--1280x800-wxga-laptop-lcd-screen.shtml

[Note* Stating HP G5000 is just stating the model series. When buying replacement parts the EXACT Model Number should be used. This information is located on the bottom of the laptop, in a white Service Tag.

When replacing an LCD screen, the model number of the replacement LCD screen should be matched to the existing LCD screen's Model Number.
Inverters and LCD screens are matched together. Make sure you get the correct part]

An Inverter is used to provide power from the laptop to the LCD screen, and to the Backlight.

Note* 90 Percent of the time the problem is a bad Inverter.

Example of an Inverter for an HP G5000 series notebook PC,

http://www.zlectronic.com/product/INVERTER-FOR-HP-DAC-07B035-DAC-09B017-DV5000-G5000.html

The LCD screen, Top Cover, Display Bezel, Inverter, Backlight, and various screws, make up the Display Assembly.
The Display Bezel made of plastic surrounding the LCD screen, and in front of the LCD screen is removable.
Behind it is easy access to the Inverter.

The Inverter is approximately 4 inches long, and the width of a No.1 pencil.
Usually located at the bottom of the LCD screen, and right behind the Bezel.

This article shows replacing an Inverter and LCD screen on a Compaq Presario v2000 series Notebook PC,

http://www.insidemylaptop.com/replace-lcd-screen-inverter-compaq-presario-v2000-laptop/

This pictorial guide is not for the HP G5000 series Notebook PC, but the models are very similar when it comes to Inverter replacement.
The above link is to show you what is involved.

Please post questions in a Comment.
Regards,
joecoolvette

If you ring this number 0870-120-8340 within office hours,a person from asus should be able to tell you exactly where you can get one from if you can get one that is!--good luck!

Davey Snake!

Mine does this too. It is the inverter. Of course it goes wrong as soon as your warranty expires. It can result from Best Buy sending you the incorrect battery and them insisting to put it in even though the voltage doesn't match...

You need to replace the inverter. This page should help:
http://www.insidemylaptop.com/remove-lcd-screen-replace-inverter-board-acer-aspire-5100-laptop/