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Problem with Acer Aspire 9920, Black Screen

NiggaFree Posted messages 17 Status Member -  
 langstrumpf1 -
Hello,

I have a problem with my Acer 9920 laptop; it turns on, but the screen stays black. I tried connecting it to a desktop monitor, but the same thing happened—still a black screen, nothing changes.

I spent all day searching for a solution to my problem on Google, but I couldn't find anything that works. Someone who had the same issue said they resolved it by removing the fan next to the graphics card and using a hairdryer on the chip for a few minutes, which I tried but it still didn't work.

The graphics card in the laptop is an Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT 512mb, if that helps.

I took the laptop to a shop that sells/repairs PCs, and someone tested it for less than 5 minutes and told me they believe it’s the motherboard and that to fix it, I might as well buy a new laptop.

Is it possible to repair it without buying a new motherboard, or is it just good for the trash?

Thank you.

15 answers

  1.
    poupougne13 Posted messages 43203 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   11 050
     
    Good evening...

    Can you enter the BIOS by tapping F2 or Delete as soon as you power on?
    Do you feel like opening it if necessary?

    Best regards,
    See you later

    --
    "He who wants to climb a mountain starts from the bottom! "
    Signed: "Gillette" aka "nobody"! ;) (°!°)
    1
  2. poupougne13 Posted messages 43203 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   11 050
     
    I'm sorry, I was absent...! ;(
    Start with this: remove the battery, unplug the power supply, and press the Power button for 30 seconds, then plug in only the power supply and turn it on....
    If that doesn't yield better results, you need to open the hatch underneath: one should protect the RAM sticks, often with a simplified drawing of a stick: carefully remove the sticks, and put in ONLY ONE, and try... if that doesn't change anything, remove it and put in the other ONE ONLY, then try...
    Let me know.....
    --
    "He who wants to climb a mountain starts from the bottom!"
    Signed: "Gillette" a.k.a. "nobody"! ;) (°!°)
    1
  3. NiggaFree Posted messages 17 Status Member 1
     
    Unable to enter BIOS as the screen does not turn on at all, it remains black like when the PC is turned off, but the fan is running, and at startup, the PC beeps 3 times (the beeps are very low, I can only hear them if I press my ear against the PC, I don't even know if they are "beeps" or if the PC has always done that on startup..)

    And yes, I will open it if necessary.
    0
  4. NiggaFree Posted messages 17 Status Member 1
     
    Up..
    0
    1. NiggaFree Posted messages 17 Status Member 1
       
      it flows fast :/
      0
  6. NiggaFree Posted messages 17 Status Member 1
     
    Okay, I'll try this, I'll keep you updated

    Edit: It's still the same, I tried holding down for 30 seconds while unplugging the power and removing the battery but it doesn't change anything when I turn it back on, and the RAM sticks are the same..
    The GPU fan is working well, and the PC makes the usual noise when it starts up..
    0
  7. NiggaFree Posted messages 17 Status Member 1
     
    I tried with the RAM stick from my netbook and it's still the same, the screen remains black.
    0
  8. wickedmind Posted messages 92 Status Member 1
     
    Hi,

    I think your problem comes from a chip that allows the display of pixels on the screen (I can't remember the name of the chip). Basically, it's a chip that enables your computer to display colors, hence images on the screen.
    I'm almost certain that it's dead. However, there is no way to fix this problem other than changing your PC...sorry

    Source: a friend who had the same issue

    ++
    0
    1. NiggaFree Posted messages 17 Status Member 1
       
      I heard about a chip on the graphics card, is that what you’re talking about?

      If it's that, I believe the graphics card is changeable.
      1
    2. wickedmind Posted messages 92 Status Member 1
       
      Surely, but I don't think we can change it, at least I've never tried, to be verified.
      0
  9. poupougne13 Posted messages 43203 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   11 050
     
    Are you sure the RAM stick is the same?
    It would be better to try with the correct ones, one by one, and by switching them in the slots...
    Does your screen REALLY show nothing or does it seem to light up and then turn off...never the cursor by itself?
    You can try the BIOS, even without display, just keep tapping, even without seeing, just to test...
    --
    "Who wants to climb a mountain starts from the bottom!"
    Signed: "Gillette" alias "nobody"! ;) (°!°)
    0
    1. NiggaFree Posted messages 17 Status Member 1
       
      Yes, the RAM stick is exactly the same; I tested my Acer 9920's ones on my netbook, and the netbook works just like with its original RAM stick.

      And no, it doesn't display anything at all, really as if the PC remains off even though it is indeed on..

      I heard about something called "clear CMOS", but what is the "BIOS battery"?

      To try the BIOS without display, which keys should I press?
      0
  10. poupougne13 Posted messages 43203 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   11 050
     
    Give the EXACT model of your machine, to see if it's a graphics card that you have (thus the possibility of changing it) or a chipset incorporated into the motherboard, which would obviously make the repair prohibitively expensive...
    --
    "He who wants to climb a mountain starts from the bottom!"
    Signed: "Gillette" alias "nobody"! ;) (°!°)
    0
    1. NiggaFree Posted messages 17 Status Member 1
       
      What is written on a label at the back of the PC:
      Acer Aspire 9920G - 603G32Mn
      SNID: 80500003723

      But the graphics card is slightly offset from the motherboard (not at the same height) and there are screws, so I think it is replaceable.
      0
  11. poupougne13 Posted messages 43203 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   11 050
     
    The clear CMOS involves removing the "button" battery from the motherboard, but you still have to find it... and I don't think it will do more than turning it off and on for 30 seconds...
    As for the BIOS, generally, on Acer, it's F2... otherwise, try Delete, but you have to press it twice; you'll need to turn it off between the two attempts, otherwise, after trying F2, if it's Delete, it will be too late!

    --
    "He who wants to climb a mountain starts from the bottom!"
    Signed: "Gillette" alias "nobody"! ;) (°!°)
    0
  12. poupougne13 Posted messages 43203 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   11 050
     
    If this is the one:
    http://www.commentcamarche.net/guide/1079903-acer-aspire-9920g-603g32mn-intel-core-2-duo-t7500-2-2-ghz-3072-mo-320-go-tft20-dvdrw-win-vista-home-premium
    it doesn't seem to have a graphics card, which implies that it's probably integrated into the motherboard......;(
    But at this point, I think it's better to see a professional who can handle it...unless it's still under warranty, of course?!
    --
    "He who wants to climb a mountain begins at the bottom!"
    Signed: "Gillette" aka "nobody"! ;) (°!°)
    0
    1. NiggaFree Posted messages 17 Status Member 1
       
      Not under warranty anymore, it was guaranteed for one year and it is barely a year and a half old, I searched on Google before posting on CCM and I'm not the only one who had a problem with this model, shortly after the end of the warranty.

      I made a small video of the PC, I'll put it on YouTube and send you the link.
      0
  13. NiggaFree Posted messages 17 Status Member 1
     
    And by the way, when I press F2 or delete on startup, how can I tell if it's doing anything if nothing appears on the screen?

    I have my Acer netbook next to me, so I can press F2 on both at startup to go into the BIOS, to "imagine" what should be displayed on the 9920 screen, but what do I do once I'm in the BIOS?
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  14. poupougne13 Posted messages 43203 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   11 050
     
    No, the goal is to see if you have a display in the BIOS... but I'm afraid you might not as well... you can try pressing F5 (default values) then F10 to validate, but I'm not very optimistic...
    --
    "He who wants to climb a mountain must start from the bottom!"
    Signed: "Gillette" alias "nobody"! ;) (°!°)
    0
    1. NiggaFree Posted messages 17 Status Member 1
       
      Oh, still no display then.. :/
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    2. NiggaFree Posted messages 17 Status Member 1
       
      Is it good for the trash then? ^^
      0
  15. poupougne13 Posted messages 43203 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   11 050
     
    Well, it's a bit tricky to respond from a distance... Personally, I'd still try to get a free quote... If it turns out that the motherboard needs to be replaced, knowing that it costs around €350 all-inclusive, you remain the sole judge of the appropriateness of the repair... unless you find a second-hand motherboard and install it yourself, but well, that's a job!
    Good luck,
    Best regards,
    See you later
    PS: if you happen to live near departure.13, I would have some possibilities...
    --
    "Who wants to climb a mountain starts from the bottom!"
    Signed: "Gillette" alias "nobody"! ;) (°!°)
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  16. langstrumpf1
     
    Hello,
    have you ever tried removing the battery and restarting it only on AC power?
    I had a similar issue and the customer service from Darty gave me the idea, then it worked and since the machine isn't really a portable one, it has become a desktop PC.
    Good luck!
    I've had this machine since 2008 and I've never had major issues, it runs very well.
    -1