Help! Laptop Screen Broken??!

[Smowball]

Son has Dell laptop, 15 months old. had it in lounge showing me and his big sister a music video. Then turned it off and left it in sideboard and went to bed. Lastnight we decided to go through his holiday maths homework. Got laptop and pressed power button to turn on.Immediately the screen filled with what looked like a smashed screen image, like you had dropped black ink on it and a smashed glass look, though glass isnt actally smashed so it must be the ink behind the screen. Son freaked out and asked what had happened. havent a clue. It hasnt been dropped/moved etc.

Any ideas??

[vascop]

So when you turn it on and the screen display comes on, does the computer then shut itself down or does it just sit there with everything switched on and the picture of a broken screen?

[Smowball]

If you look at the screen sideways it does look as though there is a crack and a shattered look, but as you say if I feel the screen there is nothing to feel. I just dont understand. How woulw I know if it is anything else??

[Zacs-Master]

Take it to a local computer repair shop.

[Smowball]

vascop - as soon as you press the power button to turn it on the image that comes up is this black ink/shattered look splodge, and faint lines in the background. And it stays like that. Nothing else comes up.

[ummmm]

We broke our laptop by dropping it. It looks like an ink blot. It works when plugged into the TV. Have you tried that?

[vascop]

Also, does the screen look cracked immediately after switching on or does the computer look as though its starting normally and then display the broken screen a few seconds later?

[ummmm]

Does it still make the start up sound?

[daffy654]

If you have the lead to connect it to your TV or a desktop monitor it might be worth doing so to check that it is a broken screen. If the same 'image' comes up on the TV/PC then it is a prank, if not then at least you know for sure.

[joko]

i broke a screen and it did indeed look like an ink blot and broken glass

if you follow your manufacturers instructions meticulously you should be able to change it ... though it may mean dismantling the whole thing so make sure you have an antistatic mat and wristband etc

if you are not confident then take it somewhere - you can buy the replacement screen online for about £80-100. then you will only have to pay for it to be fitted.

[Smowball]

err, not sure about the start up sound - will check that. Screen looks cracked immediately. It def hasnt been dropped. He was using it in lounge all afternoon and then put it on sideboard where it stayed. Doesnt make any sense.

[Smowball]

Yes it makes the start up sound.

[ummmm]

Maybe it's been dropped before and the fault has just kicked in.

[Smowball]

Thats what I'm not sure about - whether dropping/knocking it would show immediately or if it would kick in maybe later on.

[hc4361]

Have you tried starting it in safe mode?
Tap the F8 key as it is booting up

[Smowball]

Oh havent tried that, ok will do.

[Tuvok]

Sounds like the screen is damaged. Perhaps something fell on it when it was sitting unattended.

Since its a Dell, you might be able to check on their site if its still under guarantee.

You should be able to connect it to a monitor.

[Hopkirk]

Household insurance accidental damage cover?