a big white line across the laptop screen

Hi,

I guess, you are out of warranty?

There are one or more bad electrolytic capacitors in the vertical section. Get a repairman now !!! Continuing to operate the LCD in this condition will cause the vertical IC to fail so you need to have it corrected ASAP(If that happens you might as well spend $500.00 on a new LCD, as that is a most expensive part for any monitor, and repairing them, is usually as much as a new one, whether CRT, LCD, TV etc..

. this is one of the most common failures that I see on all monitors. I usually just replace all the bad EC's(soldiering on new one's, is how yours will be fixed)

If I were you, I would move to external Monitor, & disable your LCD until you get it looked at, if you can...

Mer

I would first pull the plastic bezel above the keyboard and reseat the flat ribbon video flex harness located under there.  Fairly common problem on the 8200 (also 8000 and 8100).

Forgot to add if it is not the video card or the loose harness, you can gently rub the screen at the sides where the white line is and see if you can convince the lines to work again.  Slim but worth it if it is damaged anyway.  You can also look here for a replacement.  Here is a $100 Sharp UXGA but with some scratches.

Message Edited by johnallg on 11-23-2004 09:30 PM

thank for the tip but it didn't work with ribben reseat.

when i bought Dell...i didn't want the warranty because i expect the laptop to be went out in 3yrs. i didn't know it'll went out only about 2yrs. anyway, i have fun with this laptop. computer are outdated faster than new car. no reason to buy extended warranty when i expect it to last me 3 yrs and prepare to buy a new one. i have my eye set on AMD64. i'll probably keep using this sorry laptop for another year or until it complete went out on me. my next laptop will probably be eMachine AMD64 or Compaq.

thank for the help guy. laptop are cheap nowtheday...i just didn't prepare for Dell to only last for two years.

later