[eye30]

I'm having a problem with the monitor in that after about 10 minutes the pictures disappears and I get a balck screen but the sound is still there.

According to a search it is either the power supply, which it is not as there is sound, or the Backlight.

Question:
Now what is a Backllight and as the unit is some 5 years plus old I'm wondering whether it should be slung and I buy a new one.

Views appreciated.....

[AlanHo]

The backlight is a bright light source at the back of the screen that shines light through the LCD panel and provides the picture illumination.

My inclination would be to buy a new monitor - get a 27" or 28" one to be able to view in glorious detail the striking photos posted by members of this forum 

[eye30]

The backlight is a bright light source at the back of the screen that shines light through the LCD panel and provides the picture illumination.

My inclination would be to buy a new monitor - get a 27" or 28" one to be able to view in glorious detail the striking photos posted by members of this forum 

Cheers for that.

Any idea what it would cost to repair?

[AlanHo]

I had a 4 year old 17" LCD monitor fail a couple of years ago - well out of warranty.

The lowest total cost for a repair was almost as much as a new replacement monitor.  I couldn't find a local repair shop that I had any confidence in so the cost of transport back and forth was quite a factor.

So I bit the bullet and bought a new 27" LG monitor. It was a revelation when I first had it - but I rather take it for granted nowadays.

[Shambles]

Uneconomical to repair, I'd say.

At 5 years old I'd sling it (don't forget the WEEE directive when disposing)

[eye30]

There is a recycling dept which takes old TV's etc.
Or.

  I could do a detour to your place, wrap it up, put a bow on it and leave it on your doorstep as a pressie .

ps Should have said it's not used as a computer monitor but used by the daughter as a TV monitor plugged into a freeview box, DVD recorder/player/ CD player.....

I think she'll be after a new TV with this new USB key thingy to record programmes.

[Shambles]

I think she'll be after a new TV with this new USB key thingy to record programmes.

I have two tellys with USB record - fine for pausing, but not great for storing stuff (jittery).

Thanks for the offer of a pressie tho

[Dazzler]

Hi Lester ...as the others have said from my experience (around 15 years on and off in the electronics industry) it would definitely not be economically repairable.

A replacement (preferably LED) will be a lot clearer, brighter and sharper with much lower power useage and the prices have really taken a tumble over here lately. Newer sets appear to be more reliable too..

Ironically, although they are a little more expensive to buy new, LED screens are actually considerably cheaper to replace than LCD ones... To replace an LCD laptop screen was/is between say A$250 - A$600 wheras some LED scrrens are not much over the A$100-A$150 mark now..

[StarSeeker]

Hi eye30....I do agree with the advice to replace with a new one, but if it was me I would be having a look inside first and see if I could detect anything obvious like a poor connection etc.

You think because the sound is working, your Power Supply is ok?  It still could be the Power Supply in my opinion and is just breaking down, failing to supply enough juice required to operate the Backlight Inverter.

I do not advise any person unless qualified to try there own repairs on electrical equipment, but I have done many times myself with positive results.  I'm not qualified and do make sure I take all possible precautions against electrical shocks, but have discovered in the past, even after unplugging the equipment you can still get one

[Shambles]

Even tho I earlier said "sling it", I too would do what Captain Kirk said and have a go myself; after all, if it's to be consigned to the monitor graveyard, why not?



From what I've read, the power could indeed be the problem - that old electrolytic capacitor problem seen on so many older motherboards. If one or more have blown, it'll show up straight away as they tend to "balloon out" from the top.

http://www.ccl-la.com/blog/index.php/repairing-the-samsung-940mw-lcd-tv/




The eight capacitors should cost around £3 from Maplins

[StarSeeker]

I too would do what Captain Kirk said and have a go myself

Jean-Luc Picard, if you don't mind m8y

[Shambles]

Mea  culpa. Better than Janeway I guess

[StarSeeker]

Mea  culpa

I had to Google that ...Is there no limit to your literacy talents

[eye30]

Ok

Took the back off and blew the dust away.

There appeared to be no blown bits, black marks or obvious breaks or balloon out thingy's.

I think she has had her money out of it as I think this was a replacement for an original, which from memory, was replaced under warranty some 5 years ago.
So I think she has had nearly 7 years worth from the product.
(Sticker on back say manufacturered Nov 2006).

Daughter has decided she wants an new TV so seen a few at reasonable price.

I may take it to a local repair shop who give FOC estimates and if "cheap" may get it repaired and I'll swop it and use as a monitor on this PC.



Cheers for all your contributions.

[StarSeeker]

Might be worth checking out http://www.richersounds.com/

Prices are normally competitive and for an extra 10% of the purchase price, you get a 5 year guarantee