# Can most computer repair places replace a laptop monitor inverter?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-most-computer-repair-places-replace-a-laptop-monitor-inverter/484354>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 4, 2009, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-most-computer-repair-places-replace-a-laptop-monitor-inverter/484354 "2009-02-04T02:42:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-most-computer-repair-places-replace-a-laptop-monitor-inverter/484354/1 "2009-02-04T02:42:04Z")

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My Gateway 400tx from 2003 work wonderfully, but the monitor is starting to blink out. I can always get it back, but I think the inverter is bad.

Is this something I can just take to some computer repair place? I can’t find the inverter online for purchase anywhere and I’m clueless about how to do it myself.

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**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-most-computer-repair-places-replace-a-laptop-monitor-inverter/484354/2 "2009-02-04T02:45:23Z")

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Yes. My buddy owns a computer shop, and he replaced mine for me with no problems when he was just getting his business started. If that’s the problem, as soon as they have the part it shouldn’t take more than half an hour, not including scheduling your machine in.

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**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-most-computer-repair-places-replace-a-laptop-monitor-inverter/484354/3 "2009-02-04T02:47:02Z")

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Look on eBay. Many (not all) people selling inverters for specific machines-LCD panels also include disassembly & installation instructions.

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**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-most-computer-repair-places-replace-a-laptop-monitor-inverter/484354/4 "2009-02-04T02:50:51Z")

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[Here $ 35.00](http://laptops-we-r.com/New%20Folder/GATEWAY%20400VTX%20AND%20400SD4.htm?OVRAW=Gateway%20inverter%20400tx&OVKEY=gateway%20400vtx%20inverter&OVMTC=advanced&OVADID=14304865521&OVKWID=149793791521#MEMORY)

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**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-most-computer-repair-places-replace-a-laptop-monitor-inverter/484354/5 "2009-02-04T05:46:47Z")

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Computer shop owner checking in:

Laptop inverters are very simple repairs, quite often all you have to do is undo the bezel around the LCD, undo a screw or two, unplug the dead inverter, plug in the new one, test, and reassemble.