Pavilion ZT1170 LCD very hard to see

Hello to all,

I can only get the LCD on the Pavilion to display vague outlines of the
desktop. Attaching an external monitor works fine. Do LCD's just crap
out? Is it possible the back light is not getting as bright as it should.
Can a back light even be replaced?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

John

Seems that in 90% of the cases a dim LCD can be blamed on a faulty
inverter. The inverter provides power to the LCD backlight, so when it
fails, the screen goes *almost* dark. Only the ambient light in the
room is available to reflect whatever image the LCD is presenting.
Caveat: You can expect this to NOT be the last time you replace it.
I've gone through 2 in less than 18 months.

If its under warranty, great, let an HP repair center do it. Be
warned, though, they may do a spontaneous reformat of your hard drive
to restore it to "factory condition" even though the repair has
NOTHING to do with the OS. Some "factory authorized" places that do
in-shop repair will replace the faulty component and not touch the
rest of the machine; locally, some Radio Shack repair centers have
done this for me.

Having said all that, you can attempt the repair yourself. I'm getting
ready to attempt this very repair myself on my zt1000 laptop. The
part, F3398-60916, can be ordered from HP for $23 plus shipping. From
reports I've encountered in various places, it is a simple repair.

-David

John DiPirro <> wrote in message news:<BC29CD34.1823%>...
> Hello to all,
>
> I can only get the LCD on the Pavilion to display vague outlines of the
> desktop. Attaching an external monitor works fine. Do LCD's just crap
> out? Is it possible the back light is not getting as bright as it should.
> Can a back light even be replaced?
>
> Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
>
> John

David,

You are correct! Good to know about them reformatting the hard drive. The
tech support at HP emailed me the following:

You need replace the Inverter to resolve the issue.

You can order part by calling 1-800-227-8164 or by
visiting our Web site at: http://partsdirect.hp.com

The HP Part Number for the Inverter PCA - For 15.0-inch LCD display
is F3379-60925.

The part number is different but I have a Pavilion ZT1170. I have made
several requests for a manual or documentation describing how to remove and
re-install this part. HP will NOT send me any documentation on how to do
this. Instead the direct my to an authorized HP support shop. If you
have any documentation on how to replace this I would appreciated a copy.

You can reply directly if you like.

Thanks again David.

John


> From: (David Whitney)
> Organization: http://groups.google.com
> Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp.hardware
> Date: 14 Jan 2004 13:07:51 -0800
> Subject: Re: Pavilion ZT1170 LCD very hard to see
>
> Seems that in 90% of the cases a dim LCD can be blamed on a faulty
> inverter. The inverter provides power to the LCD backlight, so when it
> fails, the screen goes *almost* dark. Only the ambient light in the
> room is available to reflect whatever image the LCD is presenting.
> Caveat: You can expect this to NOT be the last time you replace it.
> I've gone through 2 in less than 18 months.
>
> If its under warranty, great, let an HP repair center do it. Be
> warned, though, they may do a spontaneous reformat of your hard drive
> to restore it to "factory condition" even though the repair has
> NOTHING to do with the OS. Some "factory authorized" places that do
> in-shop repair will replace the faulty component and not touch the
> rest of the machine; locally, some Radio Shack repair centers have
> done this for me.
>
> Having said all that, you can attempt the repair yourself. I'm getting
> ready to attempt this very repair myself on my zt1000 laptop. The
> part, F3398-60916, can be ordered from HP for $23 plus shipping. From
> reports I've encountered in various places, it is a simple repair.
>
> -David
>
> John DiPirro <> wrote in message
> news:<BC29CD34.1823%>...
>> Hello to all,
>>
>> I can only get the LCD on the Pavilion to display vague outlines of the
>> desktop. Attaching an external monitor works fine. Do LCD's just crap
>> out? Is it possible the back light is not getting as bright as it should.
>> Can a back light even be replaced?
>>
>> Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
>>
>> John

John:

Here's a link to the PDF for the tech manual on the ZT1000 series.
Check out page 2-20; there are illustrated directions for replacing
the inverter. Note that there are "precedent" instructions on removing
a keycover and removing the display unit, but they appear to be
equally straightforward.

http://www.wir-sind.org/poeschl/xt10...ech_manual.pdf

Hope this helps.

-David

John DiPirro <> wrote in message news:<BC2B13A5.1896%>...
> David,
>
> You are correct! Good to know about them reformatting the hard drive. The
> tech support at HP emailed me the following:
>
> You need replace the Inverter to resolve the issue.
>
> You can order part by calling 1-800-227-8164 or by
> visiting our Web site at: http://partsdirect.hp.com
>
> The HP Part Number for the Inverter PCA - For 15.0-inch LCD display
> is F3379-60925.
>
> The part number is different but I have a Pavilion ZT1170. I have made
> several requests for a manual or documentation describing how to remove and
> re-install this part. HP will NOT send me any documentation on how to do
> this. Instead the direct my to an authorized HP support shop. If you
> have any documentation on how to replace this I would appreciated a copy.
>
> You can reply directly if you like.
>
> Thanks again David.
>
> John
>
>
> > From: intrepid (David Whitney)
> > Organization: http://groups.google.com
> > Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp.hardware
> > Date: 14 Jan 2004 13:07:51 -0800
> > Subject: Re: Pavilion ZT1170 LCD very hard to see
> >
> > Seems that in 90% of the cases a dim LCD can be blamed on a faulty
> > inverter. The inverter provides power to the LCD backlight, so when it
> > fails, the screen goes *almost* dark. Only the ambient light in the
> > room is available to reflect whatever image the LCD is presenting.
> > Caveat: You can expect this to NOT be the last time you replace it.
> > I've gone through 2 in less than 18 months.
> >
> > If its under warranty, great, let an HP repair center do it. Be
> > warned, though, they may do a spontaneous reformat of your hard drive
> > to restore it to "factory condition" even though the repair has
> > NOTHING to do with the OS. Some "factory authorized" places that do
> > in-shop repair will replace the faulty component and not touch the
> > rest of the machine; locally, some Radio Shack repair centers have
> > done this for me.
> >
> > Having said all that, you can attempt the repair yourself. I'm getting
> > ready to attempt this very repair myself on my zt1000 laptop. The
> > part, F3398-60916, can be ordered from HP for $23 plus shipping. From
> > reports I've encountered in various places, it is a simple repair.
> >
> > -David
> >
> > John DiPirro <> wrote in message
> > news:<BC29CD34.1823%>...
> >> Hello to all,
> >>
> >> I can only get the LCD on the Pavilion to display vague outlines of the
> >> desktop. Attaching an external monitor works fine. Do LCD's just crap
> >> out? Is it possible the back light is not getting as bright as it should.
> >> Can a back light even be replaced?
> >>
> >> Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
> >>
> >> John
>
>
> --

David,

Thanks so much. This is exactly what I've been looking for.

John

> From: (David Whitney)
> Organization: http://groups.google.com
> Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp.hardware
> Date: 15 Jan 2004 08:06:02 -0800
> Subject: Re: Pavilion ZT1170 LCD very hard to see
>
> John:
>
> Here's a link to the PDF for the tech manual on the ZT1000 series.
> Check out page 2-20; there are illustrated directions for replacing
> the inverter. Note that there are "precedent" instructions on removing
> a keycover and removing the display unit, but they appear to be
> equally straightforward.
>
> http://www.wir-sind.org/poeschl/xt10...ech_manual.pdf
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> -David
>
> John DiPirro <> wrote in message
> news:<BC2B13A5.1896%>...
>> David,
>>
>> You are correct! Good to know about them reformatting the hard drive. The
>> tech support at HP emailed me the following:
>>
>> You need replace the Inverter to resolve the issue.
>>
>> You can order part by calling 1-800-227-8164 or by
>> visiting our Web site at: http://partsdirect.hp.com
>>
>> The HP Part Number for the Inverter PCA - For 15.0-inch LCD display
>> is F3379-60925.
>>
>> The part number is different but I have a Pavilion ZT1170. I have made
>> several requests for a manual or documentation describing how to remove and
>> re-install this part. HP will NOT send me any documentation on how to do
>> this. Instead the direct my to an authorized HP support shop. If you
>> have any documentation on how to replace this I would appreciated a copy.
>>
>> You can reply directly if you like.
>>
>> Thanks again David.
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>>> From: intrepid (David Whitney)
>>> Organization: http://groups.google.com
>>> Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp.hardware
>>> Date: 14 Jan 2004 13:07:51 -0800
>>> Subject: Re: Pavilion ZT1170 LCD very hard to see
>>>
>>> Seems that in 90% of the cases a dim LCD can be blamed on a faulty
>>> inverter. The inverter provides power to the LCD backlight, so when it
>>> fails, the screen goes *almost* dark. Only the ambient light in the
>>> room is available to reflect whatever image the LCD is presenting.
>>> Caveat: You can expect this to NOT be the last time you replace it.
>>> I've gone through 2 in less than 18 months.
>>>
>>> If its under warranty, great, let an HP repair center do it. Be
>>> warned, though, they may do a spontaneous reformat of your hard drive
>>> to restore it to "factory condition" even though the repair has
>>> NOTHING to do with the OS. Some "factory authorized" places that do
>>> in-shop repair will replace the faulty component and not touch the
>>> rest of the machine; locally, some Radio Shack repair centers have
>>> done this for me.
>>>
>>> Having said all that, you can attempt the repair yourself. I'm getting
>>> ready to attempt this very repair myself on my zt1000 laptop. The
>>> part, F3398-60916, can be ordered from HP for $23 plus shipping. From
>>> reports I've encountered in various places, it is a simple repair.
>>>
>>> -David
>>>
>>> John DiPirro <> wrote in message
>>> news:<BC29CD34.1823%>...
>>>> Hello to all,
>>>>
>>>> I can only get the LCD on the Pavilion to display vague outlines of the
>>>> desktop. Attaching an external monitor works fine. Do LCD's just crap
>>>> out? Is it possible the back light is not getting as bright as it should.
>>>> Can a back light even be replaced?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
>>>>
>>>> John
>>
>>
>> --

John:

Your request inspired me.

I've built a real simple website that documented by repair effort in
replacing the inverter on my zt1175 laptop, including instrutions and
per-step photos. I don't know if it will extend to your specific
laptop, but feel free to peruse it and see if there is any information
of use to you.

http://members.cox.net/unchecked/HPRepair

Good luck!

David


John DiPirro <> wrote in message news:<BC2C3C61.18C6%>...
> David,
>
> Thanks so much. This is exactly what I've been looking for.
>
> John
>
> > From: (David Whitney)
> > Organization: http://groups.google.com
> > Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp.hardware
> > Date: 15 Jan 2004 08:06:02 -0800
> > Subject: Re: Pavilion ZT1170 LCD very hard to see
> >
> > John:
> >
> > Here's a link to the PDF for the tech manual on the ZT1000 series.
> > Check out page 2-20; there are illustrated directions for replacing
> > the inverter. Note that there are "precedent" instructions on removing
> > a keycover and removing the display unit, but they appear to be
> > equally straightforward.
> >
> > http://www.wir-sind.org/poeschl/xt10...ech_manual.pdf
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> > -David
> >
> > John DiPirro <> wrote in message
> > news:<BC2B13A5.1896%>...
> >> David,
> >>
> >> You are correct! Good to know about them reformatting the hard drive. The
> >> tech support at HP emailed me the following:
> >>
> >> You need replace the Inverter to resolve the issue.
> >>
> >> You can order part by calling 1-800-227-8164 or by
> >> visiting our Web site at: http://partsdirect.hp.com
> >>
> >> The HP Part Number for the Inverter PCA - For 15.0-inch LCD display
> >> is F3379-60925.
> >>
> >> The part number is different but I have a Pavilion ZT1170. I have made
> >> several requests for a manual or documentation describing how to remove and
> >> re-install this part. HP will NOT send me any documentation on how to do
> >> this. Instead the direct my to an authorized HP support shop. If you
> >> have any documentation on how to replace this I would appreciated a copy.
> >>
> >> You can reply directly if you like.
> >>
> >> Thanks again David.
> >>
> >> John
> >>
> >>
> >>> From: intrepid (David Whitney)
> >>> Organization: http://groups.google.com
> >>> Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp.hardware
> >>> Date: 14 Jan 2004 13:07:51 -0800
> >>> Subject: Re: Pavilion ZT1170 LCD very hard to see
> >>>
> >>> Seems that in 90% of the cases a dim LCD can be blamed on a faulty
> >>> inverter. The inverter provides power to the LCD backlight, so when it
> >>> fails, the screen goes *almost* dark. Only the ambient light in the
> >>> room is available to reflect whatever image the LCD is presenting.
> >>> Caveat: You can expect this to NOT be the last time you replace it.
> >>> I've gone through 2 in less than 18 months.
> >>>
> >>> If its under warranty, great, let an HP repair center do it. Be
> >>> warned, though, they may do a spontaneous reformat of your hard drive
> >>> to restore it to "factory condition" even though the repair has
> >>> NOTHING to do with the OS. Some "factory authorized" places that do
> >>> in-shop repair will replace the faulty component and not touch the
> >>> rest of the machine; locally, some Radio Shack repair centers have
> >>> done this for me.
> >>>
> >>> Having said all that, you can attempt the repair yourself. I'm getting
> >>> ready to attempt this very repair myself on my zt1000 laptop. The
> >>> part, F3398-60916, can be ordered from HP for $23 plus shipping. From
> >>> reports I've encountered in various places, it is a simple repair.
> >>>
> >>> -David
> >>>
> >>> John DiPirro <> wrote in message
> >>> news:<BC29CD34.1823%>...
> >>>> Hello to all,
> >>>>
> >>>> I can only get the LCD on the Pavilion to display vague outlines of the
> >>>> desktop. Attaching an external monitor works fine. Do LCD's just crap
> >>>> out? Is it possible the back light is not getting as bright as it should.
> >>>> Can a back light even be replaced?
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
> >>>>
> >>>> John
> >>
> >>
> >> --