I have my daughter in-laws laptop Acer Aspire 7740-5691. She said it fell from her hand from about 8 to 10 inches from the floor where she was using it. After the fall, she turned it on and the screen lights up (blank but white), the HHD looks like it's working (the blue light blinking) and you can hear it humming. Is there anything I can do to test to make sure it's the screen and not something else? I don't have an extra monitor to connect it to; can I connect it somehow to my laptop? If so what kind of cable will I need? I don't mind buying another screen for it but I have to be sure it is the screen.

You will need to access another monitor somewhere using the auxilary VGA port and toggling the correct Fn combo to test that the video output itself is OK; you cant use another laptop in the manner outlined.

Thanks for your response Paul, I will check out bestbuy or staples to see if they have a cable appropriate for this test. These are the only computer parts store close to me here in Port St. Lucie Fl.

If the computer is still covered under the warranty, even though it was dropped, most laptops will still be covered. Sometime ago I dropped my desktop on the floor and ruined it completely. I bought it at Staple and told them what happened to it. They told me that if it were a laptop they would have repaired it free or replace it. But since it was a desktop, I had to buy a new one.:(

If the computer is still covered under the warranty, even though it was dropped, most laptops will still be covered. Sometime ago I dropped my desktop on the floor and ruined it completely. I bought it at Staple and told them what happened to it. They told me that if it were a laptop they would have repaired it free or replace it. But since it was a desktop, I had to buy a new one.:(

No FrankSG this latptop is no longer under warranty. It is over 3 years or just about that. The warranty was not extended.

I will check out bestbuy or staples to see if they have a cable appropriate for this test.
PaulK said that is is not possible to use another laptop so a cable alone will do you no good. You need to borrow a monitor and connect that to the notebook.

you cant use another laptop in the manner outlined

PaulK said that is is not possible to use another laptop so a cable alone will do you no good. You need to borrow a monitor and connect that to the notebook.

I was not planning to use another laptop. I was going to use a flat screen tv at home that has a video input to match the laptop video output. However thanks for your post.

if you have a desktop computer at home, you can always unplug from the back of the computer and plug it into the laptop

if you have a desktop computer at home, you can always unplug from the back of the computer and plug it into the laptop

I don't have a desktop down here in Florida with me they are all up in NY. So I will have to work with what I have down here.
Thanks for the reply awaj.

Leon,
I didn't see you mention a TV hence my reply. Also I do not have, nor have I ever seen a TV used as a monitor but I am not saying it cannot be done with a laptop, I'm most sure the opposite is true.

I'm more inclined to use a monitor as a TV than a TV as a monitor. My old 27" Zenith is still chugging along just fine so I don't even feel the 'need' :rolleyes: for an HDTV. I'd rather buy a new boat than something to stare at all day... ;)

Leon,
I didn't see you mention a TV hence my reply. Also I do not have, nor have I ever seen a TV used as a monitor but I am not saying it cannot be done with a laptop, I'm most sure the opposite is true.

I'm more inclined to use a monitor as a TV than a TV as a monitor. My old 27" Zenith is still chugging along just fine so I don't even feel the 'need' :rolleyes: for an HDTV. I'd rather buy a new boat than something to stare at all day... ;)

Well, I guess I will let you all know if it works. In the back of the tv states very clearly, pc-in. So I am banking that it will work.

Just reporting back to let you guys know that my laptop tv setup worked real good. I was able to get into window. I could confirm that it is the screen that's no good. Got to shop around on the web for a screen for an Acer Aspire 7740-5691. Thanks to all you guys who posted trying to help me out here.

I could confirm that it is the screen that's no good.

Not quite. It is possible that a cable has come loose. What you now know is that the underlying video card and/or motherboard is fine.

that's a good point (I'm doing something similar with a friend's laptop...)

Not quite. It is possible that a cable has come loose. What you now know is that the underlying video card and/or motherboard is fine.

Thanks for the headsup Paul, I will pull the screen down and the laptop and check all the screen ribbons to make sure that is not the problem, before purchasing a new screen.

that's a good point (I'm doing something similar with a friend's laptop...)
Hope you get your project solved too awaj;468466.

Just finished puling the screen down and did not find any ribbon cables disconnected or loose. Guess I will have to ante-up for the new screen and see if my daughter in-law will re-em burst me for it. LOL

what's with the numbers? "awaj;468466"

what's with the numbers? "awaj;468466"

Sorry about that awaj!!!!!!!!:confused:

After all this time, I am posting back to let you good guys know that the problem with the screen is taken care of. I purchased a new screen for 101.00 and installed it yesterday. I can now send the laptop back to my daughter in-law. I know she will be happy. She had taken it somewhere in NY and they were charging her 600.00 bucks to fix it.