Samsung NC10 LCD Problem

[Anjunabeat]

We are wondering if anyone else are having the same issues as us and have seen this problem before. We currently have over 200 Samsung NC10 Netbooks which are in daily use here at the school. They are just over a year old now from the date of purchase. Yet in terms of the number of months usage it is actually less elapsed time due to them being configured and then kept in storage prior to distribution to the end users. However we noticed about six months into their lives that the LCD screen would ‘white out’ and fail. This problem could be temporarily rectified by lightly tapping the lid of the unit and/or by moving the lid in an opening and closing motion.

 

After sending several defective units back to Samsung we have since discovered that it is in fact the LCD cable which connects the LCD to the motherboard which is causing the problem. This is the part which is replaced by Digicare each time we send the units back under warranty.

 

In this time we have seen a significant number of these units fail and thus subsequently being sent back to Samsung for repair, so much so that is now almost becoming a weekly occurrence. Samsung however do not seem to admit a problem and as such will not repair the units past the end of the warranty period despite this appearing to be an unfortunate manufacturing defect.

 

We have done some testing of our own and have discovered indeed that it is the LCD cable which is at fault, specifically the degradation of the individual wires which make up the cable itself. Samsung have been using at least two types of cable on this unit:

 

[Winchester Rev. 1.0 SINBON – comprising of 28 wires, 4 red, 4 brown, 7 black, 2 grey, 3 yellow, 1 purple, 4 orange, 2 green, 1 blue]

and

[Winchester Rev. 2.0 CNJS - Comprising of 18 insulated wires, 4 black, 13 red and 1 ground]

 

These are wrapped in an adhesive-backed fabric tape to form the cable. The defect, as far as we can see, occurs due to the stresses of bending where the cable loops through the hinge connecting the lid to the base. [see photo below.] It is our opinion that the problem is caused by the extremely small diameter of the wires, combined with the tight bend radii of the space it needs to traverse, is exacerbated by the fact that the wires are twisted and then wrapped inside the adhesive tape. This allows for little-to-no give in the wire whenever bending forces are placed on the cable. In this case the constant opening and closing of the lid.

 

We have a very competent IT team here and are more than capable of replacing the LCD cables ourselves. In fact, we now do so on a regular basis. However, up until now Samsung are refusing to cover the cost of the cables, each time referring us to Digicare to either; A) have them fit the new cable; or B) sell us the cable for us to fit ourselves. The latter obviously being the least expensive option of the two. However, this is now becoming increasingly apparent that the fault lays with Samsung the construction of the units.

 

We are wondering if anyone else is having the same issues and has seen this problem before. We are also wondering if anyone else has managed to elicit from Samsung or Digicare that there is in fact some kind of admission of a common fault with these units.

 

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z341/anjunabeat/Samsung%20NC10/photo2.jpg

 

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z341/anjunabeat/Samsung%20NC10/photo-1.jpg

 

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z341/anjunabeat/Samsung%20NC10/photo3.jpg

[TechSupp]

Well its not only the NC10's that have had the problem as we have just had 5 out of 30 NB30's come with screens not working (quick turn around by our supplier to get that sorted) and two out of another 16 that have had the screen white out from the very start so not an over use issue as its the first time they have been opemed! These are to go back as well. Got 30 in another school (NC10's) but so far only had one reported as showing the white out (and guess what the teacher didnt have the time to note which one it was before putting them all back in the cabinet! and they all have a massive number sticker on the lid!) guess I'll just wait till its reported again :-)

I was a fan of the Samsungs (even got myself a NB130 touch screen - bought by school for my use) but this leaves a bad taste if it startes happening more often.

 

How much are the cables by the way, seeing as there is another thread on sourcing spares, as can you do a strip down procedure to replace it with photos as a guide?

[Anjunabeat]

Hey. Sorry about the delay in getting back to you. We have been ordering our spares directly from Digicare. Part number is BA39-00766A and they are charging £26.76 ex-VAT (+ £7.50 delivery). We're getting quite sick and tired now of forking out each time one goes.

 

Sorry to hear about your pain too. We're writing to Samsung to complain, you're more than welcome to join in on our letter if you wish. Let me know!

 

PS... You're assuming of course that the next teacher will report it... You're an optimist I see!

[beninwellington]

Hi mate.

Have recently had the same problem with my NC10. The fault was so bad that it shorted out and melted. Im in wellington New Zealand and finding it impossible to order a replacement. Was wondering If you could tell me where you order your replacement cables from, is it from digicare.co.uk?

Does the replacement cable last or do you end up having to change it again further down the line?

Any advice you could give me would be greatly received.

bloodanddiesel@ g mail

 

Thanks,

Ben

[maark]

got this problem on my home nc10 as well as you move screen up and down goes white- ordered one from ebay for £10 plus £5 p+p from hong kong - will let you know if it works ok

[JoeBloggs]

Yep, had this problem. We only have a hand full of them which aren't used very often.

[Anjunabeat]

Hi beninwellington.

 

Sorry to hear about your NC10 woes. Trust me I'm feeling your pain here. Yes digicare is the place but you will have to phone them as the part is not listed on their website (their phone number is on the 'Contact Us' page), or you could try emailing them. The part number is BA39-00784A. The current price is about £14. If you can find one cheaper elsewhere then great! But beware that it is not a "Winchester Rev. 1.0" or a "Winchester Rev. 2.0", or even worse, a shonky copy!

 

As for your question on whether or not the replacement cables last, we haven't seen any units come back yet in which we've changed the faulty cables. Saying that, the cables in question are now up to "Winchester Rev. 6.0" (as opposed the Rev. 1.0 / Rev. 2.0 in the majority of units which we've seen).

 

The fitting is pretty straightforward and should only about 20 mins. The next time we do one here we'll take some photos and post them up. My colleague, "POW", has quickly jotted down a few refitting instructions as I was typing this out. See below.

 

I hope that this helps.

 

 

1. Remove battery

2. Unscrew all screws from the bottom plate, including KBD ones (no need to do the memory hatch one)

3. Snap of bottom cover - front first, then USB/RJ45/Power side, then use a flat blade screwdriver to lift the plastic cover over the 3.5mm jacks

4. Remove and pull free the two WLAN card aerials

5. Unscrew the two earth eyelets from the camera/display cable and undo the cables

6. Remove 4 hinge screws

7. Tilt bottom plate to 45 degree angle and separate bottom plate from screen, set motherboard etc aside

8. Remove 4 rubber covers on the screen and unscrew screws, remove bezel

9. Remove screen (4 screws)

10. Remove yellow tape and screen cable from screen

11. Remove cable from poorly designed hinge

12. Replace cable

13. Reassemble!

[Anjunabeat]

One more thing to note:

 

There are 2 different types of LCD screen on the NC10s, 30-pin and 40-pin. It might not be the worst idea in the world to check first before ordering! Cheers.

[TechSupp]

There was recently a thread on here with someones link to a site with laptop manuals, there was one for the nc10, full dissassembly instructions plus photos, downloaded a copy for yhe very same problem although ours are only intermitent at the moment. If you cant find it i'll see if i can find the copy i downloaded (if you see my pocket of memory sticks you'll know why i said try and find!)

[maniac]

We've got 1 NC10 in our school brought as a trial unit and used daily now by a student who requires his own laptop in lessons, we've not had this problem but we have had the power button fail and the battery annoyingly malfunctioned after only just 18 months.

 

A quick google reveals a lot of others with the same issues , so there may be a case for them to admit a problem, however I'm willing to bet they won't do this willingly.

 

Blank white screen

SAMSUNG NC10 WHITE SCREEN PROBLEM - boards.ie

White screen on Samsung NP-NC10 netbook - General-Laptops-Notebooks - Laptops-Notebooks

 

There's LOTS more as well!

 

The NC10 page on Wikipedia mentions it as well:

Samsung NC10 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Mike.

[SimpleSi]

(if you see my pocket of memory sticks you'll know why i said try and find!)

 

You need Dropbox mate

 

(Proper 50GB account - well worth the money )

 

Si

[Poul_Storm]

Same problem with two NC 10 - Thanks for helping

Poul