Member Avatar for sw81

This is the second time my hp g71 358NR laptop screen has broken. The first time I had it repaired at a computer repair shop it cost me too much. This time around I thought I would take a crack at trying to repair it myself. After purchasing a replacement screen and trying to connect it to the inverter, the screen still didn't turn on. After fiddling with it for awhile, I made the mistake of trying to connect the screen with the power on. There was a itsy, tiny spark from the inverter. After that when I connected the power cord to the laptop, the lights in front of the laptop turned on, along with the light at the power cord, but when I push the start button nothing happens. I am at a lost and about to go to a repair shop if I can't fix these issues. Can someone please help?

  • 3 Contributors
  • 2 Replies
  • 247 Views
  • 1 Week Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by sheikhali449

Dani AI

Generated

A compact, safe troubleshooting checklist for and anyone who had a display repair attempt followed by a brief spark. is right to worry about a short — but a few quick isolation tests can show whether the fault is the display/inverter/cable or something on the motherboard before paying for a full shop diagnosis.

  • Safety first: unplug AC, remove the main battery and any peripherals. Press and hold the power button 20–30 seconds to discharge residual power. Work on a non‑conductive surface and ground yourself (touch a metal object) before touching the board.
  • Verify the charger: with the adapter unplugged from the laptop, measure the adapter DC output with a multimeter (DC volts). If you dont have a meter, try a known good compatible adapter.
  • Isolate the display: with power off and battery removed, disconnect the LCD/inverter cable(s) from the motherboard and try powering the system from AC only. If the machine posts, fans spin, or you get video on an external monitor, the fault is in the screen/inverter/cable. If nothing changes, proceed.
  • Basic onboard checks (power off, battery and AC removed): reseat or try one RAM module at a time; look for visible burn marks, damaged connectors, or a blown tiny SMD fuse near the DC jack/inverter connector. You can check those fuses for continuity with a meter — do not power the board while probing.
  • If after removing the display assembly and testing RAM the laptop is still totally inert (no fans, no POST beeps) the power rails or motherboard components were likely damaged by the short. That usually needs a professional repair or board replacement.

Document what you tried and take photos if you go to a shop — it saves diagnostic time. If a shop is needed, ask for a parts-versus-board diagnosis: if it powers with the display disconnected, the repair is likely much cheaper than a motherboard-level fix.

Recommended Answers

All 2 Replies

Member Avatar for caperjack

now you know why it cost so much at the shop,that you need to take it to again ,Im no expert but i have been fixing computer for over 13 yrs now ,self taught and have made some mistakes along the way ,and i cant tell you what happened when you did that with the laptop plugged in ,but if there is spark there is fire[power surge ] ,and it likely burnt/shorted out something ,time to take it to the repair shop

Member Avatar for sheikhali449

HOw come your screen be broken...?

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.