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lcd screen flickers..only sometimes..

post #1 of 26
Thread Starter 
My lcd screen flickers...sometimes...it happens about 50% of the time the computers being used and seems to just start and stop randomly, i've tried reinstallling video card drivers to no avail, anyone have any suggestions or should i go for an rma?
post #2 of 26
if its on the max brightness it will do that. I emailed sager and they said thats typical, and not a problem unless it does it on other brightness settings.
post #3 of 26
I've personally never experienced flickering on any brightness level. If I were to get it on max bright, I would definitely consider it a problem.
post #4 of 26
i have the opposite, my screen flickers on all but the max brightness setting. hmm. i always keep it on max anyway.
post #5 of 26


I have done a search on 'flicker' and 'flickering' on the 9860/80 forums and this is the most recent post I've found. Seeing as how it was last commented on in April, figured I'd bump.

This just started happening to me yesterday; I generally keep my 9860 plugged in and set at max brightness. The last time I have unplugged it is more than a week ago, but I do shut it down nightly.

It started to flicker yesterday just after turning it on, becoming very noticable while windows was finishing its loading process. It went away at some point after, but it happened again this morning. So far, it only has happened twice - both during startup - but that is two times too many.

From the other posts, it looks like Sager is saying this only happens at max brightness and is a non-issue, and to lower the brightness. However, I cannot accept answer this as I've been using it on max brightness since I have had it (with the exception of using it unplugged, which I leave it at whatever brightness it defaults to).

Is there another thread that I'm missing that deals with this? Or is this a current issue with other people?

(Specs, though hard to see w/ the default board colors, are in the sig).
post #6 of 26
This happens to me on various brightness levels. Everyone who is having this issue please post about it here. If raises enough attention I think we should formally approach Sager about it.
post #7 of 26

This has been an ongoing issue for me

I purchased a Hypersonic Aviator EX7 and received it in early April. Flickering has been an issue on this system from day one. In fact, Hypersonic has it right now and is working on it. I don't know whether the display was set to maximum brightness or not. It will certainly be something that I check if it happens again, though.
post #8 of 26


I noticed it once only a few days ago and it seemed to last only a min or so (max brightness) but havent noticed it since.
post #9 of 26
I'm have the same problem too. I posted a similiar post on this earlier this month. Basically my LCD loses half its brightness at some points as in th FN+brightness up key can't go higher than half, it can go down like 4 shades then back up 4 shades but it acn't go back to full, sometimes it loads at full brightness. Also sometimes as some have posted here when at max brightness it flickers. As for this being a common issue I think it would be feasible for this to be at least looked into , and if its a common issue with the screens maybe see if there are other WSXGA LCD's out there that are just as good or better that don't have the same issue. Also as well my friend who has a d900 just an alienware but either way same machine, same specs as mine for 9880, his lcd had the same issues but hes an electrician so he took it upon himself to open up the LCD and fixed it himself , finding a lose connection or something I'll ask him about it, now I know that voids product warranty, but as for anyone who has had this problem and has sent it in regarding that, Could someone tell me the average wait time, ( From shipping to receiving unit back ) ?

Either way though I love my sager to death
post #10 of 26
I've almost always had flickering when using the second to highest brightness setting. All other brightness settings have no problems, though.
post #11 of 26
Had the same..i fixed it if it flickers...i press "FN+F9" or F8..than its away..
post #12 of 26
I have a Hypersonic GX-7, which is basically a Sager 8790. What an amazing machine (when it works!)

I too am experiencing the flicker issue on all intensity levels. It has been in the shop a couple of times for this issue, too. Hypersonic's tech support is very good and they fix everything just fine, but it's 3 to 4 weeks each time it goes away for repair, which is a HUGE drag.

Here's the deal. Initially, I dropped it and the backlight in the display went out. OK, I admit, that was s dumb thing to do. But luckily I had purchased Hypersonic's accidental replacement policy, so I sent it in to them. Oddly, when they got it, the display worked and they could not get it to malfunction, even after several days of tests. They checked it out to make sure the fall hadn't damaged anything else, and sent it back to me. Everything seemed OK, except upon returning it to me, I noticed the screen started the flickering problem at it highest brightness level.

I called Hypersonic, and they sent me a postage-paid shipping label to send it back to them, and they fixed the flicker issue. Yaay for me. In the shop for 2 months, and I finally have everything back to working 100%.

Shortly thereafter, the motherboard went bad (which was probably due to the fall). Hypersonic sent me another postage paid label and I shipped it to them. They replaced the motherboard and a bunch of internals. 4 weeks later I get it back, and I am once again in love. This is July, 2005.

Everything is great for 6 months or so. Fast forward to November. Yesterday to be exact. My display starts its flickering problem again. The flicker is only intermittent, but it is annoying as hell. Sometimes it's fine for a few minutes, then the flicker comes and goes. Today I called Hypersonic, and asked them if they were aware of the massive reports of flickering issues on the Sager systems they're selling, and they claim to have no knowledge of any flickering issue. However, they do acknowledge that the flicker is NOT normal behavior, and I should return it to them for repair. I'm expecting another postage-paid shipping label from them tomorrow, although I may just send it myself next-day air, since UPS ground both directions really slows down the process.

To make a long story short, the Hypersonic / Sager laptops have beautiful - absolutely gorgeous displays when they're working properly. But, there is definitely some kind of flaw in the voltage output going to the screens causing this flicker which should be addressed by Sager engineering!

I have high praise for the Hypersonic repair team. That accidental damage / no dead pixels / extended warranty cost me an arm and a leg, but it has already paid for itself many times over.
post #13 of 26

I have had this same problem for the last six months. Unfortunately, my warranty expired in February of this year (2005). I called Sager about my screen flicker and their tech guys told me to set the brightness to anything less than 100%. I have done that, but the screen still flickers intermittanley. Not only that, but some times the screen is much darker than at other times.

The fact that Sager knows about this problem and continues to produce these defective screens is unethical. Having been told that I could send mine in for their techs to take a look at my cost is unacceptable as well.

Recently, a person by the name of Tom Muszack filed a lawsuit against Apple because the IPod Nano screens were breaking during normal use. As a result, he called Apple Support, got a replacement, and shortly thereafter the replacement did the same thing - excessive scratching and cracking. Now this gentlemen is seeking a class action suite against Apple, attempting to get a refund on shipping and the original price of the product.

I am about at the point to do the same thing, but with Sager. They should refund everyone of us 100%. I don't have any money out of pocket to hire a lawyer, but if anyone knows of some way to file a class action suite against Sager let me know, I will do it!
post #14 of 26
I hate to burst your bubble but the class action against apple was for mostly centered around scratching... and was widespread enough to spark similar class action suits in other countries... and I don't this problem is wide spread enough to allow for a class action suit that would have a chance of winning...
post #15 of 26

Maybe you're right but Sager is just as responsible for our defective screens as Apple is with theirs. I'm not sure a class action suite would be the most apropriate but a law suite of some kind is definately the next step if Sager does not give us a 100% refund.
post #16 of 26
I'm getting the same flicker on 100% brightness. Until I found this thread I didn't realize setting it less than 100% would stop the flicker, but just a few minute ago I noticed it flicker once on the 2nd highest brightness.

I had sent mine in (at over $100 in shipping costs since they won't ship free from HI) for a major burn-out problem, but asked that they take a look at the flicker as well. Up till that point I had 'fixed' the flicker every time it happened by pressing gently on the bottom-left corner of the screen area where the hinge meets the base, but it would eventually come back. Now I can't do that to fix it anymore. It just flickers and flickers and flickers...

I would guess this is a lighting element problem or something similar. It's sometimes difficult to use the screen when it's at anything less than 100%, but the flicker is so annoying that apparently I can't use that brightness anymore.

Hopefully more will find this thread, and I hope I'm not being a bother for bringing up a months-old thread.
post #17 of 26
Lucky u guys ur screens flicker.........I have to move, tap.....and keep very still when typing.......because if i sometimes vibrate move touch.........and sometimes JUST LOOK at the screen it messes up like the video cable in the screen itself is loose........i mean like UNABLE TO READ ANYTHING.....its like artifacting......but not overheating connection.........and i need my laptop 24/7 for school.....and its horrible.........yeah i would love to trade with you........hey if ur gonna get a 100% refund count me in i could buy a new desktop :-D id be gettin about 3000 dollars back would be nice.............:-D specially since i got all software on dvd's now :-D
post #18 of 26
My 8790 flickered once. It's always on 100% max unless I'm unplugged, which is rare. I haven't had any issues since that initial flicker, but it seems to be an issue which is just waiting to bite me in the butt.

IMO, telling people to turn the brightness down is not an answer. That's like your transmission going bad and the mechanic telling you not to use 5th gear.
post #19 of 26
I believe I may have found the root of at least my flicker problem.

Under the shiny black panel where the power button and status lights reside is the main connection between the motherboard and the screen. If you remove that panel and *lightly* tap the cluster of wires that are visible, the screen INSTANTLY stops flickering. I noticed that when I tapped that area on the black panel it did the same thing, but was less effective.

It's probably not something you want to do just in case you screw something up and void your warranty, so do this at your own risk. However, it did work for me.
post #20 of 26
OMG I never had such a problem on any brightness level and I would have gone mad if this would have happened. Also I would have become really angry if my vendor would have told me this is "normal" ..... There is no "normal" flickering, this is a malfunction in any way.

very interesting observation.... are any cables/wires or contacts moved when you tip ? Could you maybe shot a photo next time you do it ? In this area you have the inverter board, it could be a loose contact there.... Are the problems gone now or do you have to "tip" from time to time again ???

@all here with such flickering

How often do you open and close your notebook ? I ask because I did so not more then 5-10 times since the 15 months I´m using it. Maybe this flickering arises with lots of openings/closings of the notebook cover... ???
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