Member Avatar for ditesco_mori

alright, i know it wasn't the smartest thing to do, but i popped my old dell inspiron 1150 open to clean the dust out of the fan, and i didn't know that when i started that i should have gone in from the top through the keyboard and not from underneath.

by the time i had started piecing the machine back together i noticed that i had accidentally unplugged what i was assuming to be the graphics/video card. when i booted the monitor display had a bunch of lines going horizontally across the display like a television with a bad cable connection. when i arrived at the xp login screen (after i managed to guess my way to the user icon) and accessed my user account the display slowly fades to a medium bit-depth fade to white nightmare that slowly transitions into various colors like a dirty nes cartridge.

now, i don't know a lot about computers, which means i shouldn't have done this without adult supervision, but is there any advice or directions anyone can give me to rectify this mess.

by the way, since i'm taking the novice comp enthusiast approach to things, does anyone know whether or not i can call dell to have them replace the top 'plate' (i don't know the word, the thing that protects the back of my monitor), something had happened to my laptop before this adventure and the plastic that is screwed onto one of the hinges is broken and i *really* don't want to have to jury rig this thing with galvanized wire.

thanks for the help, cats.

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Dani AI

Generated

Based on 's symptoms (horizontal lines at boot, then a slow, washed-out color fade after login), the most likely causes in order are: 1) a partially seated or damaged LCD/video ribbon (LVDS) cable that runs through the hinge; 2) a failing LCD panel; 3) inverter/backlight issues; and 4) motherboard/GPU damage (less likely but possible if a connector was shorted or pins bent). The pattern of artifacts during BIOS/boot vs only inside Windows helps narrow this down.

Simple, low-risk triage (in order)

  • Power down, remove battery and AC, hold power for 10 seconds to discharge.
  • Test with an external monitor (VGA): if the external image is clean while the laptop screen is corrupted, the problem is the panel/cable/inverter. If both show the same corruption, suspect GPU/motherboard.
  • Watch the Dell logo/BIOS screen: corruption visible there points to hardware; only seeing it after Windows loads suggests software/driver issues (rare after physical disassembly).

Reseat/inspect checklist

  • With power removed, open the display bezel and inspect the display ribbon where it attaches to the LCD and at the motherboard/hinge. Look for bent pins, frayed/kinked wires, or a loose locking clip. Carefully reseat the connector and re-lock it.
  • Check hinges and broken plastic for cable chafing where mentioned hinge damage. Replace the ribbon if any damage is visible. Use anti-static precautions, avoid touching LCD glass, and be gentle with tiny connectors.

Parts and repair reality

  • The broken "top plate" is the display lid/LCD back cover; replacement parts (LCD assembly, LVDS cable, inverter, bezel) are commonly available used or new from parts sellers. OEM repair may be costly for an older Inspiron 1150; if external testing shows motherboard/GPU failure, replacement of the whole board is often not economical. Following the service manual and reassembling in reverse order (as suggested) reduces the chance of missed connectors.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

a 9$ or less can of compressed air is all you need to clean dust from fans on a laptop ,all i can say is goes back together the opposite way it came apart .
check manual

Member Avatar for ditesco_mori

hey i appreciate it bud. i'm glad you linked that page, my manual has been gone for a long time and i've never seen my laptops guts before, so i figured now would be a good a time as any. maybe i can take care of this myself without screwing the whole damn thing up, huh, lol

thanks

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