topic Re: Grey Screen in PCs & Accessories

Grey Screen

Rothwell — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 09:54:34 GMT

My A417S now has an all grey screen, all the time. I have the suspicion that it is the lcd module. Unfortunately , the computer is just out of warranty. Is this a regular problem with VAIOs, or am I just unlucky (considering the warrany expired only a month or so ago)? I have to ask because, cash strapped as I am, I'm not sure whether the pc is worth gettng repaired or if just buying a cheap screen and using the pc as a desktop is now a better option.

Cheers for the help/advice.

Re: Grey Screen

kee-lo_ — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 10:38:35 GMT

Could be a few things:

The inverter
The LCD cable

Re: Grey Screen

Blencogo — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 13:02:34 GMT

How far are you from North Finchley?

May be worth a phone call HERE

Re: Grey Screen

Rothwell — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 16:01:27 GMT

Not far - Holloway in fact.

I've already had someone take a look, but they couldn't be sure if it was the module or the inverter or the motherboard. But as we speak, the screen is now working again - which I think suggests the inverter rather than the lcd module or the motherboard. Maybe it was just a loose connection somewhere.

I'll keep an eye on it over the weekend and hope that it was a loose connection. I'll give the number a call if not.

Cheers.

Re: Grey Screen

kee-lo_ — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 12:52:19 GMT

If it's a loose cable it won't cost you more than £20, if it's the inverter, could be around £100-150, if it's the LCD, then it's expensive, anywhere from £250 upwards

Re: Grey Screen

Rothwell — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 17:01:01 GMT

Hi Guys,

Just a final word on this. The computer doctors tell me that it's a problem with the chipset and can't be repaired.

I find this extremely disappointing, particularly as it's a very expensive piece of kit, it is only just out of warranty and Sony (obviously) won't do anything about it. I was going to upgrade early next year to another Vaio unit, but won't consider another Sony now. I know that I can get pretty much the same gear at a much lower price, and with a much better warranty without spending anything more. Or maybe a Mac this time around.

Thanks for the help on this. Only sorry there wasn't a better resolution.

Cheers.

Re: Grey Screen

kee-lo_ — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:14:56 GMT

That's bad that, specially as it's an integral part of the VAIO. What did they say, asked you for money?

Re: Grey Screen

Rothwell — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 13:24:18 GMT

Hi Kee-lo,

No fix, no fee (fortunately). I took Blencogo's advice and traipsed up to the computer doctors in Finchley. Other than that, there is not much that I can do. Sony want £560 to repair it (under their fixed fee system) and as I was going to upgrade early next year anyway (initially to an AR model, but not a Sony now) I thought I'd save my pennies and wait until then.

The only bit of semi-good news in all this is that I can still use an external screen (why? I don't know). But that sort of defeats the purpose of having a laptop, really.

PS. have replied on the other thread as well. Cheers.

Re: Grey Screen

kee-lo_ — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 14:00:40 GMT

So if you can use the other screen, it's not the chipset, because if the graphics card goes then nothing should work at all! The BIOS wouldn't let you proceed, let me know what you think techs and other VAIO Experts.

Re: Grey Screen

Rothwell — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 15:15:09 GMT

Hi,

Yes, interesting, isn't it? I posted my other comments after having talked to the technician who was looking at it for me, but hadn't thought to ask if it still worked when plugged in to an external screen (I found that out once I got it home again). Also, whilst out shopping for a monitor (I'm plugged into my Hitachi LCD TV at present which is not ideal) someone else told me they didn't think it was the chipset either.

Being only an end user and knowing nothing about the insides (does that make me shallow?) I would be grateful for any advice ...

Re: Grey Screen

Blencogo — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 22:23:39 GMT

I tend to agree with Kee-Lo as the Graphics Chip obviously still works with the VGA output. It smacks of a poor connection somewhere between the chipset and the screen.

I don't know if the VGA output uses different circuitry within the chip - but I think I would try booting into Safe Mode or VGA Mode and see if the screen works with a VGA resolution.
(Tap F8 when booting at the Vaio Logo, go to Safe Mode or go down to VGA Mode and hit Enter).

Re: Grey Screen

rich912 — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 22:40:33 GMT

I would also agree with Kee-Lo. If an external monitor works then I doubt that there is a problem with the graphic chipset. I suspect that you have a problem with either the inverter (general failure or cabling problem) or the LCD circuitry.

Re: Grey Screen

Rothwell — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 12:07:51 GMT

I tend to agree with Kee-Lo as the Graphics Chip obviously still works with the VGA output.  It smacks of a poor connection somewhere between the chipset and the screen.

I don't know if the VGA output uses different circuitry within the chip - but I think I would try booting into Safe Mode or VGA Mode and see if the screen works with a VGA resolution.
(Tap F8 when booting at the Vaio Logo, go to Safe Mode or go down to VGA Mode and hit Enter).

Tried the safe mode boot up, but as I can't see what's going on even from boot-up (the screen is always grey, and the external screen doesn't start up until the Windows blue screen kicks in), I don't know if I'm actually doing anything.

Any pointers as to how I can get to safemode blind?

Re: Grey Screen

Blencogo — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 13:17:04 GMT

You can get into Safe mode blind by just hitting Enter (it is the default) but I don't think it will work if you cannot see the Boot Options Screen which is 640 X 480 VGA. I presume you see nothing on boot - even the Vaio Logo and you won't know if you are in the Boot Options Screen or not.

I think Rich is right in his analysis of the problem.

When you say you have a Grey Screen, is this different from a Black Screen? Is the backlight illuninating at all?

EDIT: This probably doesn't help but if you look at this Exploded View of an A-Series you can see the Inverter (1019) and the LCD wiring harness (1003). It is not your exact model but I'm sure it will be similar.

Re: Grey Screen

kee-lo_ — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 16:19:24 GMT

I am wondering if a new inverter board would sort you out? But, and this is a big but, if it was just the inverter, then you'd be able to see a picture by shining a torch?

Re: Grey Screen

Rothwell — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 21:13:38 GMT

The screen looks as though I have chosen the 50% grey colour for the background. The screen is lit and the contrast is still adjustable (i.e. I get a brighter grey when I push the little sun button above the laptop keyboard). I can't see an image if I shine a torch on to the screen either (so perhaps not the power inverter?).

The only other thing I can think to tell you is that when the problem first occurred, the screen flickered back into life after a few minutes. However, when I rebooted the machine, the grey screen returned (this happened twice early on, but now there is nothing but grey).

Blencogo: thanks for the diagramme, but I think I would only make matters worse were I to look inside ... :smileygrin:. However, I assume that the computer doctor guys did this when giving me the verdict of a broken chipset (?).

Re: Grey Screen

kee-lo_ — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 13:43:05 GMT

I don't know, not 100% convinced with what you were told, but as I've not seen it, then it's hard to say, but it's usually all or nothing with chipsets.

Re: Grey Screen

Rothwell — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 13:56:30 GMT

With my very limited knowledge of electronics, I wonder if it could be a physical connection on the board itself (sort of like a bit of loose solder or whatever is used these days).

I did, however, get a call from Sony today which I unfortunately missed. They are going to call back tomorrow, so I will see what they say.

Re: Grey Screen

vhindo — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:49:52 GMT

I also have a grey screen .I deared to open it up but i saw no loose connections in as far as the screen conxns are concerned. So today i am going to go deeper . I am currently using my tv as the screen and everything works perfectly fine except that screen, it does light up though . Very disappointed with the product i would have expected better from a brand such as sony.