My LCD is making a buzzing noise

[Texun]

I've got an older Dell Latitude that started making a buzzing sound. I thought it was the audio but a closer look and listen tells me it's coming from the LCD. I can gently press the LCD screen and it changes the intensity of the buzzing, and I noticed it buzzes less once the screen has warmed up.

Video still looks good and I see no sign of a failure but the buzz is certainly coming from somewhere in the panel.

Any suggestions? I would think it might be the inverter but my work on laptops is very limited.

Thanks.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Yes its probably the inverter. If the inverter itself isn't going bad then a glued down part has come loos a bit and it vibrating. Considering the noise goes away as it warms up i'd say its the latter. As it heats and cools the glue securing parts to prevent vibrations may came loos. You can open it and hot glue it doen better if you felt confident in doing so.

 

[Ksyder]

I've seen that same problem before and I replaced the inverter and the noise went away. I'd second what mpilchfamily says.

 

[Texun]

You are both correct. I split the display assembly where I could pin down the noise and it is the inverter. The hell of it is that not all inverters are created equal even in same model laptops. Inverters are apparently matched to a specific panel manufacture and resolution. Mine is a SXGA Hitachi and the inverter alone would cost more than a motherboard. I'm snooping around on EBay and finding complete panels with the inverter for less than the cost of the inverter alone.

One thing has me curious though..... I found several UXGA panels with the inverter included, and some are priced only a few dollars over the SXGA that I have. I wonder if I could just swap the complete display. I have the nVidia 440 video and I think it will handle the higher resolution as long as nothing else turns up FUBAR in the process.

 

[mpilchfamily]

A display swap is doable. As you have seen they can run about $200 or more. Just make sure the model of the panels match or you may have problems. It has to be the same panel. A higher res panel will not work.

You are correct that the inverters can very between similar monitors. The inverters are there to provide power to the CC lights used for the backlighting of the panel. The inverters have to be matched to the tubes.

 

[Texun]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
A display swap is doable. As you have seen they can run about $200 or more. Just make sure the model of the panels match or you may have problems. It has to be the same panel. A higher res panel will not work.

You are correct that the inverters can very between similar monitors. The inverters are there to provide power to the CC lights used for the backlighting of the panel. The inverters have to be matched to the tubes.

Thanks. Can I upgrade using a new UXGA panel and matching inverter? I've already got this SXGA one apart and can get a new UXGA panel with inverter for around $100 on EB. The SXGA that I have is a Hitachi panel and so far the inverter has been hard to find.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Gotta make sure the panel is a match for the laptop itself. You should be able to find a listing of compatible panels for your model. Generally you only other option will be going from a matt finish panel to one that is glossy.

 

[Texun]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
Gotta make sure the panel is a match for the laptop itself. You should be able to find a listing of compatible panels for your model. Generally you only other option will be going from a matt finish panel to one that is glossy.

By "match" do you mean the laptop model or something else? I found a 15" panel that says it is a replacement for my C840 but it's a UXGA which is a higher resolution than my current 15" SXGA, and it comes with the inverter. Would the swap work?

 

[sweetbbyrays]

Yes its probably the inverter. If the inverter itself isn't going bad then a glued down part has come loos a bit and it vibrating. Considering the noise goes away as it warms up i'd say its the latter. As it heats and cools the glue securing parts to prevent vibrations may came loos. You can open it and hot glue it doen better if you felt confident in doing so.

i just got a replacement for my inspiron 9400 and its still making noise, could you elaborate on where the glue goes.

thanks