HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT BLANK LAPTOP SCREEN PROBLEM

A laptop that does not boot is always a source for concern and even panic in some cases. If you are like many people, your laptop not only serves as a source of entertainment, but also as a repository for important data and documents. Therefore, if your laptop turns on, but is not able to display anything on the screen, anxiety runs high – to say the least. If your laptop is still under warranty, contact the retailer or manufacturer immediately and ask for assistance. If your laptop’s warranty has expired, though, use a few simple steps to troubleshoot the notebook and determine whether you can repair the unit yourself.

Step 1

Shut down the laptop and close the LCD screen. Remove the AC power cord and other cables from the laptop. Flip the laptop over and remove the battery pack.

Step 2

Use an eraser to clean the metal contacts on the battery and the battery bay. Remove any tarnish or build up that may appear on the contacts. Blow the excess eraser bits from the battery and the battery bay.

Step 3

Reinsert the battery into its bay and reconnect the AC power cord and other cables. Ensure that the cable connections are tight and that you lock the battery in its bay.

Step 4

Power on the laptop and check to see if you can see an image on the display.

Step 1

Shut down the laptop, unplug the AC adapter and close the LCD screen. Flip the laptop over so that it is upside down.

Step 2

Locate the cover for the memory module. On most laptops, the memory slot cover has a small icon picture of a memory stick or label. Remove the screw that holds the cover in place with the Phillips screwdriver.

Step 3

Insert your wrist into the loop of the antistatic wrist strap and clip the other end to a metal surface.

Step 4

Unlock the clips that secure the memory module in its slot. Remove the memory module and reinsert it into the slot. Push the module down until it snaps into place. Replace the memory cover slot and secure with the retaining screw.

Step 5

Locate the hard drive cover and remove the retaining screw. Remove the hard drive and reseat it in its slot. Do the same for the CD/DVD drive of your laptop.

Step 6

Reconnect the AC adapter to the laptop. Power on the laptop and check to see if an image displays on the screen.

Step 1

Shut down the laptop and disconnect the AC adapter.

Step 2

Connect the monitor cable from a spare external monitor to the VGA or DVI video out port on the rear of the laptop. Plug the power cord into an available electrical outlet.

Step 3

Power on the laptop. After the LED lights on the laptop appear, or you hear the hard drive inside start to spin, press the “Fn” key combination that sends the display to an external monitor. On most laptop keyboards, there is a small icon picture of a monitor symbol. Press the “Fn” key and the key with the monitor symbol a couple of time to see if an image appears on the external monitor. If an image appears on the monitor, the problem is with the LCD screen of the monitor. If no image appears on the monitor, either the video card or motherboard in the laptop is probably defective.