I have an HP PL4260N 42 inch Plasma HDTV. Last night 1/2 the screen stopped working, the right side and I called HP. They told me that the Left X Buffer Board is bad and needs replaced. They said I can order one online and take it to a local repair shop to have them fix it. I didn't pay much for this TV and don't want to spend more on repairing and 5 year old TV then I don't have to. I have some electronics experience and I think I can handle changing this board out. How difficult is it and can someone give me instructions on how to? The part I am changing will be 1032935-HS and it is listed as the Panel X Buffer Board, also the named the Left X Board.

First off, you said the right half of the screen is out? Can you take a picture and post it so I can see it to be sure? This sounds more like a logic buffer board than anything to do with the X.

Secondly, it's pretty straight forward to replace boards if you have electronics knowledge. Undo the cable connections (on most sets there's no way of switching cables), remove the screws, remove any standoffs, heatsinks, etc that aren't on the replacement board and transfer them over, then line up the new board, replace the screws, and reconnect the wires.

Oh yeah, of course step one should be to unplug the TV. Haha.

Thank you for your response. Here are 2 pictures I took, one with the TV on no inputs and the other with a game being displayed on the screen. Both show what is happening, just getting picture on the on the left side.

You do any of this at your own risk. I assume no personal responsibility for your actions. You have the option to hire a technician to come out and diagnose/repair the product.

First, it's a good thing you took the picture. There's also some red diffusion on the left side of the screen also.

Look for some potentiometers on the power supply. You can carefully adjust this a little +/- what is (usually) listed on a sticker on the panel. Usually the pots are labeled and right next to a test point for the voltage they adjust. I wouldn't go too much more than a difference of 15 volts. If this doesn't fix the diffusion, then it's possible replacement of the panel is necessary...

The biggest question we have is if you want to start investing money in parts. Having someone else do this for you might be more economical as some places won't charge you to try out parts and only charge for the used parts.

If you decide to go ahead with opening the back of the TV to at least see if you can visually detect the problem, post some pictures of the back. An overall picture of the back, and then some close ups of each quadrant. When visually inspecting the parts obviously you are looking for burn marks and loose connections.

The red diffusion has been there since I bought the TV and that is why it was so cheap. It goes away after the TV has been on for 10-15 minutes. As far as the 1/2 screen problem, you're telling me you are not convinced it is the Buffer Board as HP thinks, and it would be advisable to take it to a repair shop. Or at least call a few in the area to see what they might be able to do?

That's what I would do (if I wasn't a TV repair tech myself). Haha. If I were spending my own money on something like that, I would either purchase the parts from a dealer where I wouldn't be out any, or at least much, to return the unused parts, or go with a repair place that will only charge for the used parts.

Also, keep in mind that for this kind of thing, many smaller places will mark up the parts a ton. So find out what they are charging for the parts and research, comparing to other places you call. I've seen places mark a part up from $80 to $300 before.