Screen fading

gail · Nov 13, 2013

My friend has an Acer Laptop, about two years old (Win 7) and the screen has started fading in areas. Is there anything that can be done to trouble shoot this, perhaps eliminate it. Or can I assume it's a hardware problem?

The problem is primarily at the perimeters of the screen, but some photos are beginning to appear faded a lower resolution.

chillzatl · Nov 13, 2013

Does changing screen resolutions or modify any of the other display settings (color depth, etc), resolve the issue? Do you still notice the faded areas when the system is booting or if you boot into the bios (assuming you know how)? if you don't see it at all times, then it's likely not a physical screen issue. If you do, especially during boot or bios, then it would most definitely be a screen issue and need a replacement.

digitalshooter · Nov 13, 2013

Does it display correctly?

malch · Nov 13, 2013

gail said:
My friend has an Acer Laptop, about two years old (Win 7) and the screen has started fading in areas. Is there anything that can be done to trouble shoot this, perhaps eliminate it. Or can I assume it's a hardware problem?

Sounds like the LCD display panel is dying. Those things can't be economically repaired so you're looking at replacement.

The manufacturer's warranty is probably one year. But if this laptop was purchased on a credit card, the credit card company may offer a second year of warranty. Of course, if it was purchased 2 years and one day ago, you'll probably be out of luck.

If the unit is between 1 and 2 years old, contact the credit card issuer to make a claim, but do it quickly!

FYI: I recently called each of my three credit card issuers (one Visa, one Mastercard, and one Amex) to check the status of their warranty/insurance benefits. All three of my card issuers provide the same basic benefits for products purchased on their card:

* 90 days insurance against theft, fire, accidental damage (e.g. drops).

* Extended warranty equal to the original manufacturers warranty (but a max of 1 year).

So this seems to be a fairly standard (or at least common) offering.

Mark H · Nov 14, 2013

malch said:
gail said:

My friend has an Acer Laptop, about two years old (Win 7) and the screen has started fading in areas. Is there anything that can be done to trouble shoot this, perhaps eliminate it. Or can I assume it's a hardware problem?

Click to expand...

Sounds like the LCD display panel is dying. Those things can't be economically repaired so you're looking at replacement.

Replacing a laptop's LCD display panel is (usually) actually not all that difficult, and not that costly at all (depending on who does it) - replacement panels are readily available from various on-line suppliers.

Warning: If it's not done correctly/carefully though (taking anti-static precautions, removing power and removing the battery) then there can be the risk of damaging other components like the graphic chip and/or motherboard (via short-circuiting, or static discharge, etc).

Member said:
The manufacturer's warranty is probably one year. But if this laptop was purchased on a credit card, the credit card company may offer a second year of warranty. Of course, if it was purchased 2 years and one day ago, you'll probably be out of luck.

If the unit is between 1 and 2 years old, contact the credit card issuer to make a claim, but do it quickly!

FYI: I recently called each of my three credit card issuers (one Visa, one Mastercard, and one Amex) to check the status of their warranty/insurance benefits. All three of my card issuers provide the same basic benefits for products purchased on their card:

* 90 days insurance against theft, fire, accidental damage (e.g. drops).

* Extended warranty equal to the original manufacturers warranty (but a max of 1 year).

So this seems to be a fairly standard (or at least common) offering.

gail · Nov 14, 2013

I know how to play around with the bios a little bit but have only done so infrequently. I always forget the F# to use while booting. Is it F8 or F11 or ??? Thanks!
--
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gail · Nov 14, 2013

digitalshooter said:
Does it display correctly?

gail · Nov 14, 2013

I'm familiar with extended credit card warranties and have used them. Great info to share because many do not realize they have this benefit. They should call their cc for the terms and requirements for making a claim.

I will ask when she purchased her notebook. Thanks.
--
My Pbase Galleries ~ http://www.pbase.com/gailb/
My Canon EOS-M gallery: http://www.pbase.com/gailb/eos_m

gail · Nov 14, 2013

DIY repair is not an option so she'll have to take it in for repair if the other suggestions above do not work.

But she wants to stick with Windows 7 if repair is too costly. If available, I'm assuming there is a premium cost for it??

Thanks.
--
My Pbase Galleries ~ http://www.pbase.com/gailb/
My Canon EOS-M gallery: http://www.pbase.com/gailb/eos_m

Mark H · Nov 14, 2013

gail said:
DIY repair is not an option so she'll have to take it in for repair if the other suggestions above do not work.

Understandable - but still, you can at least look up the price of replacement panels - then factor in a additional percentage (profit for the repairer), plus estimate an hours labour charge at the very most (a competent/experienced repairer should easily be able to replace a laptop LCD panel in under 30 minutes) - and then you will have some idea of whether any quotation/charge for such a repair is being fair, or whether overcharging (assuming that the LCD panel is the problem).

Caution - be very careful/selective who does the job i.e. trustworthy - because unless you are watching over them, while they have it in their possession, they will of course have access to anything stored on the laptop's hard-drive.

Member said:
But she wants to stick with Windows 7 if repair is too costly. If available, I'm assuming there is a premium cost for it??

It is very difficult (virtually impossible) to find Windows 7 on any new machine - although there are various 'outlets' (some manufacturers sites, and third parties using eBay) that sell 'as new' refurbished customer returns/old stock, etc.

And yes, genuine/legitimate unused copies of Windows 7 discs/licences do sell for a premium on places like eBay etc, because there has been so much bad talk about Windows 8 - (N.B. beware of people selling discs/licences that have already been installed/activated, and people selling OEM discs, counterfeits, etc).

digitalshooter · Nov 14, 2013

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Mark H · Nov 14, 2013

gail said:
Member said:

Does it display correctly?

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