Compaq monitor problems

[compaqarmada]

i have a Compaq Armada 3500 Laptop and just recently the monitor hasn't been acting as it should. In startup the nor the compaq or the XP signs appears when it starts. Nothing but colored lines appear on the monitor with a black background. The only way for me to go onto my computer is for me to hook it up to a monitor i have at my house. the computer works but the monitor is acting strange. I am writing this message on my latop right now but i am viewing it through another monitor...what should i do?

 

[Prydonian]

Chances are that the flex cable running through the hinge between the shell body and the screen has a few broken wires from years of opening and closing and/or the connector inside the shell has worked loose.

In either case, given the age of the notebook and lack of computing power (300Mhz PII, 128MB mem, 6.5 lbs) it would most likely not pay to have it repaired (and it is a professional job. Most laptops are hard to disassemble and four times more difficult to re-assemble!) Not when Ebay has them listed (with Win98) for under $50 USD.

My suggestion, if you're not willing to upgrade to a more modern machine is to buy one of the units on Ebay, or the like, and switch hard drives between your unit and the newly purchased one. At least then you'll end up with an extra battery!

Let us know what you decide.

Mike, The IT Guy.



Life is too short to drink warm beer....