I think my screen is going bad.  The computer displays correctly on an
auxiliary monitory I use when connected to the port replictor.  But
when I attempt to use the laptop on a stand alone basis the screen
displays in a green hue.  I noted that if I presee real hard on the
back side of the screen case, the screen then displays correctly.  Is
this a case of a screen going bad?  And, if so what are my options to
repairing?

Hi Joevol, 

Though it's impossible for me to give you a definitive answer without
being able to physically inspect the machine, it seems quite possible
that the cause of your problem is simply a loose video connector to
the LCD.  Laptop screens are usually connected by a very small ribbon
cable running from a connector on the screen to a connector on the
motherboard. Sometimes the cable can slip out of one of the connectors
just a bit, leaving one or two wires loose. A loose wire carrying the
signal for red could cause the symptoms you report.

Since pressing on the screen fixes the problem, it seems likely that
it's just a loose connection rather than a bad video card or other
video circuitry. Those sorts of problems would not usually be fixed by
pressure on the case.

I wouldn't suggest that you try to fix this problem yourself unless
you're experienced with laptop repair. They tend to have a lot of
small screws in funny places, and opening them without causing damage
to the case is often quite difficult. Your best bet would be to take
it to a computer repair shop that you trust. If it's just a loose
connector you will probably not pay more than an hour or two of labor.
If the cable is bad and needs replacement you may pay twenty or thirty
dollars for a new one. Of course, if the computer is still under
warranty then sending it back to Dell is the best option.

If you feel quite confident in your repair skills I could provide you
with some details of what to do to try to fix the problem.

I hope this helps, 

Hibiscus

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Request for Answer Clarification by joevol-ga on 16 Jan 2005 11:41 PST

Even the extended warranty is gone on this baby....I'm game for
attempting the repair myself....Any last moment tips on approaching
the repair?

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Clarification of Answer by hibiscus-ga on 17 Jan 2005 16:24 PST

Hi again Joevol, 

A quick search hasn't found me any examples of disassembly of the
3800, but there's a description of a screen removal on a 7500 and a
video card change on an 8500 available here:
http://tuxmobil.org/disassembly_laptop.html

Between those two you should get a sense of how to take apart the
screen and the base.  The key issue to remember is that if you feel
resistance while prying things apart there's almost certanly a screw
somewhere that you're missing.  They're often hidden under the
keyboard or under little rubber feet, or sometimes even under warning
labels.  Also, make sure you keep track of what screws go where since
it can be a bit confusing when you're putting it back together.

Once you've got the thing apart you want to look for a small ribbon
cable running from the screen to the motherboard. It will attach
through a connector with little plastic tabs on the side.  Pulling
those tabs out releases the clip and you can remove the ribbon cable. 
The symptoms you report suggest that it's likely to be a loose
connection, so try reseating this cable and any other wires connecting
the screen to the motherboard.  If that still doesn't work then you're
almost certainly going to have to take it somewhere for repair.

Best of luck,

Hibiscus