26" LCD TV by Dell, won't always power up...(Now with PICS)

[Donkey_Kong]

Hey TV/Monitor guru's.

I've had this 26" Dell LCD TV for about 3-4  years now. Used moderately for normal TV watching. It only powers up when it wants to, usually after sitting unused for the night. I have no idea what this means, but I'm suspecting that soon it won't power up at all...Damn I have the crappiest luck with this stuff..

Anybody seen this type of thing before? Any thing I can do or would I need a professional to repair it?

[qrz]

check for faulty ( leaky) caps in the smps . this is a common fault on most supplies of this type .....
if it is powering up with no screen illumination , check the inverter supply.
please note the inverter is a HIGH VOLTAGE area.
 CCFL lamps fire at around 600- 2kv. then supply will drop to a maintenace value-  so, they can bite !

qrz

[Donkey_Kong]

Thanks for the help qrz, luckily the thing seems to be working perfectly now (knock on wood) What makes that doubly good, is I don't have the slightest clue how to do any of those things you suggested!   I do appreciate the assistance though!

 

Hopefully the thing just continues to work the way it's suppose too.

[SirPeale]

What qrz is saying is crack it open and check the power supply of this thing.  It'll likely be a small board, and have or at least be near where the AC power comes into the unit.

Examine this board for capacitors that are puffy, domed tops, exploded, etc.  I bet you find at least a few.

I found a TV a while back that would have it's standby light come on, but nothing else.  Opened it up to find every cap on the PS board had popped their tops.  Replaced them and I had myself an LCD TV.

[qrz]

good job Peale !

yes kids, SOMETIMES it is just that easy 

qrz

[Donkey_Kong]

Well, I tore it down hoping to find the things you guys mentioned. I can't see any problems. I'm hoping that by posting these pics that I have overlooked the obvious...

Note: The bottom right is the power supply area. (two pics, slight different angles)

[qrz]

supply voltages may be printed near the various connectors. should be close to what is indicated.

the 3 caps under the heatsink should be checked (especially the 1 near the 1w res)
and another cap near the 1w res to the left of the opto-isolators. good place to start.

qrz

[SirPeale]

Just because a cap isn't domed doesn't mean it's not bad.  A lot of those caps are near heatsinks, which will dry up a cap faster than fast.

Personally, I'd try replacing every cap on the board.