Just two notes in the beginning: (1) On this page you will find links to other web pages. Clicking these links will take you to another location, which I am not responsible for.
(2) Performing the procedure described below is very risky and it is very likely that you irreversibly damage your notebook. I do not take any responsibility for anything that happens with your computer just because you have done something like described here (what might be wrong). Please understand this as a report about what is possible instead of a guide.

Intro

Just the fact that I have done this computer science thing brings people to ask me for help with all kinds of their computer problems. If you studied computer science, you may know this behaviour well with all of your friends and relatives.

In this case it was Compaq Armada 100S Notebook that had problems with the display. The lower part was full of stripes and thus using the notebook was not fun. Obviously the notebook is equipped with a DSTN-type passive matrix display, which was spilt in the middle to double the response time. Usually I try to refuse such help by complaining "I use these Apples and I have no idea about what is going on there".

However in this case I had an idea about what might be wrong: it may be a loosen plug/port of the display, because if pressed at some point the display housing (you need to find out where) the stripes disappeared/appeared again ... this is usually a sign, that something is loose inside. Solving the problem could be very simple - just try to fix the loose part. If you got a similar problem with your notebook display, you might find my small report helpful. I have also taken some pictures about the procedure.

All images are also available in higher resolution, just a click ...

This picture shows a Compaq Armada 100S notebook with a broken display. The display is a 800 by 600 pixels DSTN passive matrix type. Although this notebook is quite old, the advantage is that it might be easy to open and repair. Think positive!

There we have the error in detail ...

Try to open the housing which is hold together by screws. Very often you will find the screws under some rubber feet that keep the distance between display and body. Usually you can remove the rubber feet by just using some small flat bladed tool. Sometimes, you must just use glue the bring rubber feet on when assembling the case again.

After you have removed all feet, bring the display in a convenient position - for you and the notebook. Usually this is to open the display to its maximum. So it cannot tilt anymore.

The fact that you have loosened the screw does not mean that you can open the case. In most cases the parts a clipped together. I do not like that because you do not really know if you are about to brake something. Anyway try to separate the top case part from the bottom case part by finding some groove somewhere ...

Pay attention with using a tool at this part. You could easily use a flat bladed screwdriver however this will damage the edge of you casing (and thus you will see afterwards that someone was "botching" around there). I have used my fingernails which are usually softer that the housing, you might also find a plastic envelope opener useful.

Once you have separated the case at one side you can go around the case and separate it entirely. However, this step requires attention as well: some notebooks have a microphone installed in the top case part. If you take the top case apart too quickly, it may happen that you rip off a cable. So, always try to look around if there is any resistance caused by some cable. (btw: the Armada 100S does not have a microphone)

So, that is how it looks like after the top cover is off. Now the display part must be taken away. This model holds the display by four black cross-profiled screws aligned at the corners of the display.

Afterwards, the display can be lifted gently. This is very dangerous because the video cable to the display could be damaged. At this point I saw that the plug is at the place where pressing the housing made the error disappear.

There are usually two cables that are connected with the display: the video cable and the power cable (for the backlight, on the images it is located at the top right corner and has white-pink wires). If both are unplugged, the display can be taken away. That makes the procedure a bit more comfortable ...

That it is the plug that seems to be loose.

Now there comes the secret MCJ-FORMULA: I have just taken some isolating band (it is used for windows and doors). This band has the advantage that is uses some foam which is can be compressed and it has some adherent side to apply it easily. Maybe my description is not sufficient, more info can be found here. I have cut some of it to the desired size.

Applying the MCJ-FORMULA should look like this.

Then, all the parts need to be put together and assembled again ... special attention to the plug equipped with the MCJ-FORMULA is needed: just to make sure, that the pressure is not to high. It is not the problem in my case.

I have learned to test the device before assembling it completely. Once, I have forgotten to connect the cable for the backlight power. Got everything together and switched the notebook on: black screen. After a moment of feeling "uncomfortable", opening the whole stuff was needed again. So, I can always recommend to test the device before having it all put together.

As the picture shows, in this case it worked pretty well. Even now after months the display is OK again. (However, a DSTN display is not really fun even if it works)

Copyright (C) 2005 [MICHAEL C JAEGER].

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