Broken LCD Monitor Question

[Kevin Mullins]

I didn't know if this was the proper place to post this sorta thing..... but I figure there's enough computer wiz types out there to clerify my problem.

Picked up a nice little Avertec laptop for dirt cheap, the only real issue is with the LCD screen. (which I'musing right now)
The picture is beautiful.....except......
for a perfect white stripe running vertically down the center of the screen that is about 3/16 to 1/4 wide or so.
Almost as if it's missing the signal for that portion.
Apparently it had been dropped according to the original owner, then this problem showed up.
And when I say "white stripe", I mean no pixelation, no discoloration, just plain old fashion nothing there.
(can't send a screenshot at the moment or I would)

I checked and wiggled the controller harness where it plugs into the mainboard, but nothing changes or flickers, etc.
So I was curious about where it connects directly to the LCD itself.
I had read somewhere that these often times come "un-bonded".
But I haven't opened it up far enough to see what's there yet.

Any suggestion..... advice.... ??

[Trimoor]

Sounds like dead pixels, which is a problem with the screen itself.  Try gently massaging the bad area, especially at the ends.  Sometimes this fixes dead pixels, but most likely you're stuck with it.

[Kevin Mullins]

Thanks.... that was exactly the sugestion I needed.
I gently squeezed right at the top of the LCD in the vacinity of the stripe and it gradually got thinner.
And when I gave it a good squeeze I could actually make it completely go away.
Of course when I let go it came right back.
At least now I know it's not a harness or ribbon cable type issue.
Acts like the LCD itself slightly dis-bonded right in that area.

Thanks again ........

[Jess--]

Mark your screen (with a non permanent pen) where the dead area is

if you strip the lcd screen apart you will find that along the top there is a plastic ribbon with chips on it that is attached to the glass, what has happened is it has detached from the glass where your dead area is.

If you can get something to apply pressure to the exact area that is dead (thin cardboard etc) you may find that the screen comes back working perfectly.

note that this is NOT a permanent repair, I have not found a permanent repair for this fault

[Kevin Mullins]

That what I have been trying to research..... the Anisotropic Conductive Films they use for that.
You are quite correct, this one has just simply popped loose in that particular section of the screen.
So it's kinda like when you super glue something and then pop it right back apart.
Most of the info I have found refers to thermally setting these along with applied pressure.
But nowhere have I found if they can be RE-set by applying heat and pressure.
Since most of the bonding agents seem to be epoxy based, so I would assume not. Because epoxy is a one time deal. Once it's set......it's done.
I'd hate to experiment with this one. Could get ugly quick.
The only other thing I have seen is places that can do this, but they basically strip the LCD down layer by layer and then re-apply everything.
Which is overkill for this particular one.

[BobA]

I would try stuffing the area between the cable and screen with any sort of dense foam.  If you can apply pressure on the ribbon and the lcd you might be able to reduce the number of dead screen spots.   Maybe even a bit of thin wood wrapped in foam placed where it will apply pressure when the case is put back together.