What does the inverter do?

[westsailor]

What is the function of the inverter wrt the LCD? Is it purely voltage related or does it have additional functions as well (i.e. scan timing, etc.).

Reason I ask is I'm having problem(s) with my Flexview LCD and I've decided to replace it. Should I just replace the inverter while I'm at it as well?

p.s. if anyone is looking for a source of 15" Flexview UXGA LCD's, I found this on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

[ZaZ]

The inverter supplies power to the LCD. What problem are you having with your LCD.

[westsailor]

Over the past year my T60 LCD (ATI X1300 1600X1200 Flexview) has developed three issues:

1st problem was a missing horiz scan line about an inch from the bottom. I just learned to live with it.

2nd problem is over the past few months the LCD has started developing 4 white(er) areas along the top & bottom of the LCD. They're only noticeable when the background is light, otherwise they are 'invisible' when the background is black. They started off small but appear to be growing, ranging from 1" to 2X3". Annoying but not critical.

Most recently however, for about the past month or so it's starting to boot up to a completely hosed display. Hard to describe but it appears scan/timing/video clock related. When this first started it sometimes took 2, 3 reboots to get it to work right. Sometimes I could get it to work right if I just put it in sleep and then back out.

I'm beginning to think it's 'heat related'. I've discovered if I wait a few minutes (like time for something to 'warm up'?) my next attempt to get it to work right is usually successful.

Obviously a new LCD will resolve the 1st two problems. I'm wondering about the last one though (i.e. I hope it's not ATI X1300 related). I've run PC Doctor tests on monitor & video card & ram, etc. numerous time and it passes all the tests. Of course I can only run the tests when it's working fine anyway.

Thus my interest in what the inverter does. Could a marginal inverter affect scan/video timing?

[rkawakami]

The inverter's only function is to provide the voltage necessary to light the lamp (backlight) inside the LCD panel. It does not have anything to do with drawing the image on the display other than to provide the light to see it.

What you are describing as the 1st problem (horizontal line) is probably a defect with one of the row drivers (basically a non-functioning transistor). This would cause a row of dead pixels that is normally seen as a line across the display that is the same color; all white, black, blue, whatever.

The second problem sounds like "pressure spots". This is usually a result of consistent pressure being applied to the face (or back) of the panel which over time develops into specific areas that are lighter than the surrounding area.

The completely "hosed" display may not be caused by a defective LCD panel. It could be the graphics chip on the motherboard or a problem with the LCD cable that directs the signals from the graphics chip to the panel.

ref: http://www.mcclainsolutions.com/news/LCD_Damage.html