Does it have a floppy? Can you boot to DOS? If so, can you see a text screen? What version of Windows are you running? The prognosis is not favorable, but all is not lost.

Hi the laptop has a floppy(but why is that important) ..Its boots up to windows with an external monitor..(the unit works fine)There is nothing on the LCD...it start out black then goes to light greenish white then when windows is up and ready the screen goes gray...I was thinking flex cable need to be replaced?....

I was trying to see if any text showed at boot-up. It's clear that your backlight is coming on, but nothing else.

It's possible that the flex-cable is bad, but unless it's kinked or obviously cut, that's extremely unlikely. What happens much more often is that the unit is dropped, the liquid crystal panel itself shifts in relation to its contact pads and loses its electrical connection.

The LC panel connects to the electronics via an elastomeric (rubber-like) contact assembly. It's a series of fine, parallel wires molded into a block -- like encasing a comb in rubber. The wires are insulated from each other, but exposed on the contact ends between the panel and the driver printed-circuit board. It doesn't take a lot of stress to dislodge things.

I haven't had much luck fixing this kind of problem. It usually requires a special jig or fixture to ensure proper alignment of all the elements.

HI I was wondering if it is posible to use a different LCD in my laptop? or do I need the exact LCD

Exact replacements only, unfortunately, usually matched by brand and series. It may cost you more than the used machine itself.

Thanks..I was able to get two P/N 7F090 and 8F086. How could I fine out what LCD are they?...and Is the away to fined out if another laptop uses the same LCD?...

try the user forums on Dell's website, the guys there can cross-reference the part#s to which models they fit.

Thanks for the replay ! will do!

[QUOTE=TallCool1]I was trying to see if any text showed at boot-up. It's clear that your backlight is coming on, but nothing else.

It's possible that the flex-cable is bad, but unless it's kinked or


Hi.I was able to get another LCD. This one works but has a Red stripe from top to bottom...is there anything I can do to fix it?...oh yea it also has a couple of light circular spots any I deas?