Sony Vaio laptop help needed...

[Jarrett]

I have a Sony Vaio PCG-7F1L laptop that keeps shutting down when the screen is opened wide enough for normal use. If I barely crack it open enough to turn the power button on it will come on but as soon as I open the screen more it will shut off completely. Sometimes though, it won't even come on at all. Any ideas of what the problem could be? What should I be looking for? Thanks in advance.

 

[hudr]

Does it actually shut off, or does the screen just go black like the laptop is going to sleep/hibernate? Could be the VGA cable that runs past the hinges to the LCD. Also, I don't how your laptop is setup, but there is something (a switch of some sort) that tells the laptop to sleep when the lid is closed (depending on software settings, of course) or at least kills the LCD when the lid is closed. You might check that out.
By any chance is the laptop still under warranty?

 

[Diesel-ME]

just lug it to someone's house/work and plug it into a regular external monitor. Then at least you know it's just the screen and not the system.

 

[motepoc]

Can't believe that this actully was posted. I have a Sony VAIO model #
PCG-K15. The same thing has happened to mine. Is there some kind of conspiricy going on. I contacted Sony and they gave me bunch of stuff to check and do. I connected an external monitor to the back (15 pin) port and the computer came up fine. On mine the screen did flash a couple of times before it went blank or dark. I believe that it's either the cable mentioned before, or the screen, because the back port on the computer should be powered from the same uart (chip) that powers the computer screen, and that works. I'm going to contact Sony again, and see how much it would be for them to fix it.

 

[Jarrett]

Does it actually shut off, or does the screen just go black like the laptop is going to sleep/hibernate? Could be the VGA cable that runs past the hinges to the LCD. Also, I don't how your laptop is setup, but there is something (a switch of some sort) that tells the laptop to sleep when the lid is closed (depending on software settings, of course) or at least kills the LCD when the lid is closed. You might check that out.
By any chance is the laptop still under warranty?

Yes, it actually shuts off. I doubt it's under warranty. I'm not the original owner. My Dad actually found it in a vacant apartment he was working in. The tennant moved out and left it behind in a closet (loaded with naked pics of herself ), along with a vcr and dvd player. A couple months later my Dad was hired by the owner to repaint and do some other remodeling work before a new tennant moved in. He found the laptop and other stuff and the owner said he could have it. He didn't need the laptop so he gave it to me. When you can get it to come on and stay on it works great. It's no big deal to me if I can't get it fixed. I'm not out anything.

 

[NuBota]

If you get it attached to an external monitor or see enough of the screen, check the power settings

Goto Control Panel and launch Power Options. Goto the Advanced tab - there is a setting for closing the "lid". Choose "Do Nothing". This is in XP and W2K - not sure about Vista. This won't solve the hardware issue, but may let you bypass it.

There may also be things in the BIOS/CMOS settings that you can (or need to) set/unset as well, but not usually.

 

[milkman]

Yes, it actually shuts off. I doubt it's under warranty. I'm not the original owner. My Dad actually found it in a vacant apartment he was working in. The tennant moved out and left it behind in a closet (loaded with naked pics of herself ), along with a vcr and dvd player. A couple months later my Dad was hired by the owner to repaint and do some other remodeling work before a new tennant moved in. He found the laptop and other stuff and the owner said he could have it. He didn't need the laptop so he gave it to me. When you can get it to come on and stay on it works great. It's no big deal to me if I can't get it fixed. I'm not out anything.

If you can barely open the display and it's loaded with the previous owners naked pictures, it sure gives new meaning to "peep show" now .
I have and am on a Sony Vaio laptop now that is at least nine years old and the only problem that I've had is when I stepped on it and broke the display and had to have the display replaced. Sony was going to charge me over $3oo to replace it till I had a fit and they replaced it under the extended warranty. It sure is worth fixing if you can use a loptop.
Here's a link with LCDs that look like they have all the cables attached.
Sony Vaio PCG-FX Laptop LCD Screens: Parts, Repair for Laptop LCD Screens

 

[Soundguy]

Wow.. interesting thread.

I'm gonna have to get a job cleaning out and painting apartments I think!

soundguy

 

[hudr]

Wait a second, Soundguy... He didn't describe the previous tenant.. She may be one of those that has a "really nice personality"

 

[rich_ncal]

It has to be said, Okay, I'll be the first. Please post the pictures!