[jomo]

Had the laptop for a few years now - Now the bottom half of the screen completely disappears and just shows random vertical dark hue lines. If i put a little pressure on the bottom left of the screen with a finger, it goes back to normal - once pressure is releases - it goes back to garbled lines. - Is this simply a screen connection - or is the screen fried?

any advice is much appreciated! (before i take it in for $$$$$)

[olePigeon]

If pressure makes it go back to normal, it could be the cable that connects the monitor to the logic board is just loose. The other possibility is that cable got pinched in the bezel (which is a known problem) and is causing the cable to fail.

If it's out of warranty, you might as well check the cable. Just make sure you download a service manual.

Oh, and get a stack of little paper cups and label them. You're going to have about 50 screws by the time you get to the cable, and many of them are different sizes.

[amazing]

the solution to keeping track of the screws is to print out 2 copies of the disassemble instructions. Just tape the screws to the second copy to one set of the instructions immediately as you take the screws out. Does wonders for peace of mind, knowing that you won't be left with loose screws at the end of the job.

[jomo]

Thanks! sounds like a fun weekend project! - will let ya know how it goes!
oh yeah - where do i find a link to the service manual?