Flickering display on multiple nx9420 laptops 2

[bjtechjmf]

We have several HP Compaq nx9420 laptops. About a year ago one of them began acting erratic, the screen would flicker on/off every 10-15 seconds and the fan would run full speed all of the time. I called HP support and described the problem and they had me update the BIOS and driver for the video card and finally decided the motherboard and fan needed replaced. We have next business day support (which is a joke) so they sent someone out who replaced the motherboard and fan but didn't fix the problem. So they sent out another technician to replace the motherboard again and still didn't correct the problem. Fast forward to last week, we have another computer experiencing the same problem. Same waste of time as before, updated BIOS, drivers, technician replaced motherboard and fan and the problem persists. Another call to HP and they are sending another technician to replace the motherboard again. It seems to me that HP doesn't know what the problem is or how to correct it so I'm hoping to find others with the same problem who have hopefully got it corrected.

On a side note does anyone else think HP's support is a joke. We paid ~$300 extra per machine for next buisness day support but we never get anyone onsite by the next business day and the last 3 techs HP has sent out not only didn't fix the problem but caused additional problems because of their lack of knowledge and/or laziness.

 

[BadBigBen]

1.) about the problem I would not know where to start, as the laptops are tightly packed, and the problem could be anywhere from a bad battery to a cracked cable or loose cable... if it is just the back-light flickering then it could be the inverter causing this behavior, which would not be fixable from the exchange of the motherboard...

2.) what does the contract say about breech of contract, which to me is done when the tech shows up a day late or two? you may be able to regress payment from HP... but should be checked with a lawyer, considering that they know more about the laws as I would be able to tell you... as to the knowledge or laziness, well that is a problem that HP would have to address, and I would be writing a complaint letter at least stating the above facts...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[adnan1100]

Well, if they replaced whole motherboard ... i wonder wat else could be replaced in a notebook ... the screen ??

HP support isnt good ... Sony has grt after sales service

Adnan

http://www.ammuindustries.com

 

[ceh4702]

Power supply connections. Overheating. The cable between the motherboard and the screen. The screen. AC/DC converter for wall socket.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[bjtechjmf]

I've tried multiple power supplies and batteries, with and without a battery connected, different wall sockets in different offices, with and without a surge protector. I connected an external monitor and get the same results so it can't be the back light or the laptop display.

Thanks for all of your input, I'm just really frustrated with HP and needed to vent.

 

[BadBigBen]

I connected an external monitor and get the same results

with this extra information, it may well boil down to a bad graphics card (if the laptop has a seperate one) or if integrated graphics are in use, a batch of bad graphics chips... or badly soldered components on the motherboard...

and yes, I can understand your frustration and the need to vent it once in a while...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[bjtechjmf]

"it may well boil down to a bad graphics card"

I thought the same thing but the laptop does have an integrated card so I thought the new motherboard would correct the problem.

Just to add insult to injury, The 2nd new motherboard arrived yesterday (in repsonse to my call on Monday) and I'm still waiting on the technician to call to setup and appointment to come install it. So my next business day support is going on 3 days if he were to come tomorrow which he won't because I haven't even heard from him.

HP = Heinous People

 

[sotir]

Hi

How HP solved this problem.

I have two nx9420 out of warranty whit same problem.

PLS Help

 

[wahnula]

My guess would be the inverter or backlight themselves. While tricky to replace on their own,

http://www.lcdparts.net

has everything you need along with tutorials.

http://www.screentekinc.com/

has full replacement screens, lots easier to replace but lots more coin.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[zinchi]

Hi

Have the nx9420 flickering display problems mentioned in this thread been solved. If yes, how?

Thank you.

 

[bjtechjmf]

They are being resolved as they occur. In most of them, replacing the video card has corrected the problem. In a few of them, the system board also had to be replaced. Several of the laptops that have been previously repaird have experienced the same problem again.

I realized my company might be small compared to some but we spend around $20,000 a year on computers for our employees and clients. With the trouble the 9420s seem to have along with the lack of concern and very slow supuport from HP, we won't be buying another one.

I just spent $13,000 on new Dell computers.