Laptop LCD Scrambles

[Tuzinor]

My first time working on a Laptop! Dell Latitude LX 4100T with Windows 95. Trying to fix for a friend.First booted it up I could read the display without a problem then the screen scrambled.This isn't a Windows problem.The problem seems to be in the display itself > a couple of times a little tap or a little inward pressure on the back of the display would get me back to the start up screen.(Didn't last though).Have the instructions from the Dell site on how to take it apart. Was wondering with the info provided is there anything I can actually fix or am I looking at replacing the display? Keep in mind I've worked on plenty of Desktops but this is my first attempt with a Laptop!

[mjc]

Most laptops have a flat cable that connects the display to the mainboard, so check it to make sure it is properly connected at both ends. If it is seated well and the little lockdown tabs are secure you are likely looking at replacement. But from the symptoms you give is sounds like a loose connection.

[Tuzinor]

Definitely a contact problem > took it apart & pulled or unscrewed all connectors and cleaned contacts.Display problem solved!Now if I can get into the BIOS.Hard drive is 1.4gb > tried to FDISK > only showed up as 80mb.It has E-Z Bios on it.Want to setup hard drive from scratch on reinstall OS.Any ideas on how to get rid of the drive overlay?

[mjc]

Usually you need to remove the overlay with the overlay installer.....go to the drive manufacturer's site and see what they recommend and download the overlay from there if you do not have the original available.

[sorrydaijin]

I posted thhe inquiry below at ZDNet, but I have the sinking feeling that this thread hit the nail on the head as its the cause that I suspected before I got the ridiculous news below today.

Read... and laugh... and comment... and make me cry. They are asking 35000yen (300USD) for a harddisk worth a third of that!



I know this sounds like a stupid question and I wish I weren't asking it, but I am at a total loss.

My laptop pc recently showed the symptoms of what I thought was a bad connection somewhere between the vidchip and monitor. After a few minutes of use (sometimes less) the screen would suddenly "go wierd". By this I mean it would seem like a tv channel that wasn't adjusted properly with the screen being duplicated and looking very unclear, also being reduced to almost static at times. The symptoms were not too bad when there wasn't too much on screen, but as soon as anything substantial was displayed I couldn't read a thing.



Now, why the harddisk you say? The reason is that after I sent it for repairs the manufacturer insisted that replacing the harddisk would solve the problem. Unfortunately the PC is no longer under warranty (HDD and screen were replaced once each under warranty) and they are asking 3 times the market for the HDD.

I spoke to them and they have been very unhelpful, to the point of incompetent and I was wondering if anyone could have ideas on the topic.

The PC is a 2nd rate Japanese thing. (I wish I got a Toshiba instead)

PC:SOTEC e-note H380TDX4
vidchip: Trident Cyberblade i1
harddisk: 20GB Fujitsu (not sure of the model but probably MHR2020AT (20G 9.5mm))

Any help is appreciated while I wait for the fools call back to explain how a harddisk that is working perfectly can affect the screen.