A31p prognosis (dead screen) (picture)

[TPFanatic]

I have an A31p with a dead screen.

I read a thread on this forum in which the results indicated that T4x/R5x era screens are similar to A31 screens. With nothing to lose I harvested a working T42p flexview from a dead T42p (first plugged it into a functioning T42p board to confirm it works) and plugged it into the A31p cable and inverter. (The connectors at the screens are the same, but the connectors on the motherboards are different.)

The result: The screen that lights up in a functioning T42p board does not light up in the A31p, with either the original or replacement A31p inverters. Just for kicks, the A31p screen does not light up plugged into the T42p either.

From this information it is still too early to conclude that A31p and T42p screens are incompatible. I have another A31p with a working screen which I can test components with. Despite that, I can still theorize some possible conclusions:

1. A31p screens and T42p screens are not interchangeable. They are intrinsically incompatible.

2. The screens may or may not be compatible, but my A31p's motherboard has other issues and accepting screens of any type may be one of them.

3. Either A31p inverter may be bad.

4. The A31p screen cable may be bad.

It should also be noted that the screen connector on the back of the T42p board is set farther away from the base, while on A31p's screen it is set closer to the base. So without an extension cable the T42p screen cannot be mounted properly as it tugs on the cable. T42p and A31p inverters are different as well, different shape and different connectors to the screen cables.

We have another A31p with a working screen. I can play with parts from the second A31p to better determine where my A31p is broken and where it functions. Then I will report back. - The second A31p lacks wireless antennas and bluetooth but the P-4M is faster (2.0 ghz vs 1.7) so maybe I can cannibalize mine to upgrade this one, or just keep using it as a halftop. -


Until then I would be much appreciative of any knowledge that the A31 experts can share!


Img: http://i.imgur.com/krMgs8R.jpg?1 A31p flexview above, T42p flexview below

[ajkula66]

1. A31p screens and T42p screens are not interchangeable. They are intrinsically incompatible.

1001% incorrect.

2. The screens may or may not be compatible, but my A31p's motherboard has other issues and accepting screens of any type may be one of them.

Not quite. You're looking at either a defective GPU - digital output only - or a blown fuse on the board. My guess would be the former.

3. Either A31p inverter may be bad.

Possible, but unlikely.

4. The A31p screen cable may be bad.

Possible, but extremely unlikely.

So without an extension cable the T42p screen cannot be mounted properly as it tugs on the cable.

You don't need to fully mount the screen in order to test it.

T42p and A31p inverters are different as well, different shape and different connectors to the screen cables.

Correct.

The second A31p lacks wireless antennas and bluetooth but the P-4M is faster (2.0 ghz vs 1.7) so maybe I can cannibalize mine to upgrade this one, or just keep using it as a halftop.

If you don't need BT, simply swap the lids. If you do, the entire machine will have to be ripped apart.

Good luck.