I just bought three Panasonic CF-M34 Toughbooks off EBAY. Unfortunately, all three have similar problems with video on the LCD panels. None of these have an operating system yet, so I am limited to booting to SETUP. All three have a RED TINT to the screen, and may have random flickers in the video display, or go to Black = dead screen.
1.] Displays the PANASONIC LOGO [ tinted red ] , then the first few lines of POST display, then says it is entering setup, then goes BLACK = DEAD VIDEO. Restart as many times as you want, the pattern stays the same.
2.] Displays the PANASONIC LOGO [ tinted red ], goes all the way into the setup screen, then flickers randomly, may stay on for a few minutes before going BLACK = DEAD VIDEO.
3.] Displays the PANASONIC LOGO [ tinted red ], goes into setup screen, flickers lightly, then gradually stabilises and clears red tinted video to proper white.
I was told replacing the LCD "INVERTER" or the complete LCD panel would cure these problems, but before ordering any replacement parts, I tried a little experiment. I swapped the screens around with the laptop lower bodies, and
THE SYMPTOMS FOLLOWED THE BODIES, NOT THE SCREENS. Which seems to imply the problems lie with a
motherboard component rather than a Video component?
Can any body experienced with LCD panels point me in the right direction?? I really like these little Toughbooks, and I thought I could fix the Video issue with a simple inverter or screen replacement, but
?
thanks
LAZ
