Hi all,

I have just stripped an LG L196WTQ monitor and it wont illuminate when bench tested on an overhead projector. I noticed that around the screen the ribbon connectors have metal tabs that may have completed a circuit on the frame that used to hold it all together.

There is only one board on the top of the monitor with 6 ribbons and 3 on the side. The ones on the side are not connected to anything. I'm thinking they rely on the metal housing to make a connection back to the main board somehow...

Has anyone else had this issue with a similar monitor. Ideas anyone?

You may have damaged it from stripping. I have never come across a monitor that uses a metal frame as a contact for the main board, and it is actually impossible as the frame could move in the monitor and then the LCD would have problems. I am sure LG dos not engineer their monitors like this. I guess its worth trying though. Can you tell if the power board is getting any power? Remember, the LCD and controll/power board are VERY static sensitive. You should not touch them with your hands or lay them on anything that can carry static electricity. Hope its somthing minor!

Yep I can hear it has power, faint buzz of electronics. I hope nothing has happened that cant be reversed...

I didn't think to check out the VGA connection before the strip, so now I can't rule out the if computer its testing on is compatible. I noticed install CDs for this monitor......

well, you would have to have a picture displayed on the monitor in the first place to install any software. Check to make sure the cable that go to your LCD from the main board are very secure, and going in the correct way. It is easy to get the directon of the cables mixed.

Only goes one way (LVDS cable) are you talking about the VGA cable?

The strip went smoothly and the monitor and other parts are pristine. I test fired the monitor on an HDMI to DVI-D connnection before. Maybe I should try that connection again. But you are right, there should be a BIOS type screen when powered up anyways....

Yes, the LVDS, try that other connection. If the screen is not turning on at all, there might be somthing wrong with the controll board. Have you pushed the ON button?

LOL of course I have.

It should be apparent as soon as I have a connection that the screen is fired up with some "no source found" or similar dialogue on screen.... I'll try no sources and see if it awakens.... So many factors, I'm not testing it using my own computer and the one I am using may not be the greatest for plug and play.

My dads PC is so prehistoric, a T-Rex would laugh at it. LOL!

I think some monitors do use the metal case for grounding. Also, I seem to remember that some (very few) monitors will not turn on if the backlight is not plugged in or working. See if you can rig up the various parts (put the monitor back together only enough to make the connections) and make it work. Keep in mind that the backlight is using enough electricity to shock you, so be careful!

If it still don't wanna work you may as well put it back together fully and try it one last time.

I do know some LCD panels need to have the backlight plugged in to work, bit I have never heard of the frame being used to ground it . That is just making things more complicated then they need to be, interesting.

When ribbons are connected using a metal ruler, the LCD lights black. Now I think its a matter of figuring out if sides are bridged or not.

Very interesting! I will have to remember this for future reference.

Had nothing to do with the ribbons. I was checking the pins to the connectors and shorted (by accident) across 2 of the pins running to the power/menu switch from the Video board. It started working after that but now the power switch does not. Power applied, monitor on-power off, monitor off. I'll have to wire up my own switch (probably an internal powerbar)

Good enough for me unless the 'fix' eventually melts the whole thing down.

Great work I dont like when newbies come on and have a problem and sit around waiting for an answer to every question. I like when they roll up there sleeves and start trouble shooting sounds like you know what you need to be doing good luck on your build.