Scrambled horizontal lines on LCD screen

[nothing]

My 5 year old Samsung laptop developed thin lines at the bottom of the screen where the task bar is. There were originally about 5 but has increased to about 12 now.

Lines are present at start up. Tried external monitor and lines are gone so I think it's the LCD/cable. I've noticed when closing and opening the laptop lid, the lines disappear and return about 10 seconds later.

Is it worth opening the laptop up and checking all the cables or ordering a replacement LCD or just sending it away for repair?

 

[Deleted member 24505]

I'd say send it for repair, unless you know what you are doing.

 

[de.das.dude]

probably leaking in that position. or just old age.

 

[p8ragon]

I would definitely send it in if you're still under warranty. If you're past that, then you should double check your cables (lot more hassle)

 

[kiddagoat]

With the lines going through the bottom of the screen as you describe, it is usually only one of two things.

The LVDS cable could be loose or could be pinched. I have seen over time where somehow the cable manages to get snagged in the hinge/bezel/chassis and becomes pinched.

Though if the laptop has been working fine and this just started all of a sudden, I personally would rule out the cable.

I would have the LCD panel replaced in it. In the process of replacing the panel you can double check the cable going to the motherboard and then to the LCD panel.

Samsung usually is pretty reasonable on LCD panel cost.

If you are NOT comfortable messing around with the laptop, I would take it to a local repair shop and get a quote for repair.

Traditionally for Samsung LCD panels, this is from Samsung, not the 3rd party vendors or ebay listings you will probably find the price to be from $150-$350 for a LCD panel.

If you can get me the Model, Serial Number, and Product Number. I can try to get you the proper part number straight from Samsung and see if there might an alternative LCD panel available.

Where are you located if you do not mind my asking??

 

[nothing]

Thanks for the replies/suggestions.

Warranty is well out unfortunately. The fact the lines are near the hinges did make me think cable issues initially but LCD on its way out is more likely I suppose. As the laptop is still in a usable condition, I don't want to make matters worse by opening it up.

Samsung R510 - don't have access to laptop at the moment for S/N.
I'm in the UK.

 

[Batou1986]

Thanks for the replies/suggestions.

Warranty is well out unfortunately. The fact the lines are near the hinges did make me think cable issues initially but LCD on its way out is more likely I suppose. As the laptop is still in a usable condition, I don't want to make matters worse by opening it up.

Samsung R510 - don't have access to laptop at the moment for S/N.
I'm in the UK.

most of the time when I get laptops with lines like that its the cable, unless there was physical damage to the screen or surrounding area which would be pretty obvious

try this before getting a screen no need to spend 300$ on a 5$ cable
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-N...ther_Computing_Networking&hash=item3cd28cfd05

here's a tutorial on taking that laptop apart as well
http://linuxtweaking.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-open-samsung-r510-notebook.html

 

[Compgeke]

If you do replace the cable and the problem doesn't go away, I would like to point out that it would probably be cheaper to find dead laptop with the size sized screen and rip the LCD panel out of it, just make sure you get a CCFL or LED one depending on what your laptop uses. Typically the LCD panels are compatible, I've used LCDs out of Dells in Macbooks with no problems.