Any one know how to fix a flat panel tv?

[Big Dave2]

A guy that I know had a Vizio flat panel TV in his cabin. I'm not sure if this would have anything to do with subjecting this TV to the cold during the winter.....but, now the TV has a good picture on the top third of the screen but the botton 2/3 is dark and barely visable. The TV is only 2 years old and barely used.

Is it worth fixing? Does anyone know how to fix it?

Thanks.

[merkman]

In general I don't think they make many things "fixable" any more.

Unfortunately we live in a disposable society.

You can use that to your advantage though if you find the same model TV out there that someone is throwing away because the power supply burned up, you could take the two and make one.

Other than that it always seems if you try to buy parts they cost more than buying a new model.

Check the on-line classifieds, you might get lucky and find someone ditching the same model as that one.

[Surface Tension]

Where it gets dark can you see picture and is it an abrupt change or gradual?

Could be a cap in the power supply or a bad CCFL Lamp.

I've taken apart LCD monitors and replaced caps on the PS and had prepared to replace the lights

Neither are a big job but you got to be careful.

What size TV? If its a larger TV then it might be worth to bring it into a TV repair shop and get and estimate.

[CJH]

I think ST is spot on. The size/cost of it will weigh into the question of whether to fix or replace.

[Big Dave2]

Where it gets dark can you see picture and is it an abrupt change or gradual?

What size TV? If its a larger TV then it might be worth to bring it into a TV repair shop and get and estimate.

It is a very abrupt change from the good picture to where it is dark but you can see the picture just not very well.

The TV looks to be about a 32" I would guess.

Thnks for the help so far!

[Surface Tension]

Bring it in, most shops will charge you to look at it but if the tech can see it he might be able to tell you on the spot what it'll cost.

If you can see picture but it is not bright, a CCFL Lamp is out.