Dropped dv7t-7000 Quad Edition

[Waltwj]

I dropped my laptop while carrying it in my laptop bag.   It slid from my shoulder and fell about 2 to 2.5 feet. it landed hard. The computer was in the bag hidge side up, so it was the edge opposite the display hidge that took the impact.

Upon starting the computer up again, I found it worked fine with an external monitor, but the internal display no longer worked. I can only see an image on it when I shine a light directly into the display. This is the 1920x1080 LED.

I've tried unplugging/pulling battery and holding down the power button for more than a minute, but it didn't work. 

Is there a fuse in this computer protecting the display that may have popped out? Would getting a new display resolve the probelm, or is it possible the problem may not be in the display itself so replacing the display won't fix it? 

Thanks

Walt

[Huffer]

If you are still seeing an image on the screen while shining a light on it then the motherboard of the computer is fine. In the old days we would say your backlight was damaged or perhaps was disconnected, but laptop screens these days do not have separate backlights, and there is no fuse. It is possible the display cable was damaged and also possible the place where the screen cable connects to the screen was damaged on the screen back. With a drop like that, it really needs to be examined by a competent technician or we can get you the Manual and we can walk you through step by step troubleshooting. 

[Waltwj]

Ok, I'm game. I've already pulled the cable from the display and reseated it. But it didn't fix anything. I have a multimeter also to help in diagnosing the problem.

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

If you reseated the cable and nothing happened then the display panel needs to be replaced. 

You also want to go into UEFI diagnostics (F2 as you power up) and run the full, long-form component tests. 

[Waltwj]

Do you mean the "System Extensive Test?

[Huffer]

Yes, that. 

[Waltwj]

Ran it over night and it passed all the items except:

Hard Drive Optimized DST Check : Not Available

Battery Check: Primary - Weak (30)

But I knew about the weak battery.

Now, I haven't reseated the cable where it attaches to the motherboard. I only reseated it at the display. Could a drop caused the cable to dislodge from the motherboard?

[Huffer]

Yes it absolutely could have. 

[Waltwj]

But in my case, it did not.

I opened up the case and reseated the display cable at the motherboard as well now, and the display still has no backlight.

I'll be getting a replacement display in a couple days. Hopefully that will resolve the problem. 

[Huffer]

If not the cable is damaged and the next step is to try a new cable. If that does not work then the place where the cable plugs into the motherboard maybe was damaged and that would take a new motherboard.