I couldn't really tell from your photos if any IC component is burned out.
Look carefully at each IC component.
You may see one that looks overheated....the circuit board itself around the chip will look a little browned.
Anyways, not too important as you're getting another working ballast anyway.
The IC components on these ballasts or invertor boards are really small and tough to repair without proper magnifying soldering equipment.
Micro-soldering is another level of board repair.
Swapping out the invertor board is cheaper than swapping out the CFFL's at the moment.
They are NOT easy to get at in the LCD....if we findout that your CFFL's won't light up after you change the invertor, then I can give you a link to a new LCD screen that should have good CFFL's inside.
"Netplex link" message on the blue VFD display can mean several things.
However, replacing a burned out LCD screen ballast will NOT make that message go away....in fact, your burned out LCD invertor/ballast has nothing to do with it.
I DO have a link to a short pdf file about diagnosing a "Netplex Link" error message.
It actually says "Netplex Link Down"...not sure if there's a difference.
Maybe someone can chirp in here.
Give me a few minutes to search for it.
Okay...I found it...I copy&pasted it.
You can try it while waiting for your topbox unit parts...here it is...>>>
How to diagnose a Netplex Link Down error.
First disconnect all Netplex devices except the blue VFD display.
This includes the bill acceptor, printer, some progressive displays, some top box bonus devices.
Now that those are disconnected check the following.
Is your error solid or blinking.
Blinking
Do you have a 50x or 1270 mpu?
1270
Remove the Varta and U16.
50x
MPU fault.
Solid
Do you get no disp on your credit display
No
The MPU is not booting check the mpu for signs of faults or problems with the chips.
Yes
Check voltage at the blue VFD display on the 2-pin connector.
Check the data cable for any signs of damage, especially where the door closes.
MPU is faulty or damaged...check for bent pins. Later on, if we find that your cheaper part (the LS520 invertor board) doesn't light up the LCD, there are replaceable LCD screens with the CFFL's inside available here and there online.
Here's a link to some replacement LCDs that I've found that work with the Vision topbox LCD units...>>>
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=Sharp+LQ10D421&_sacat=0I've taken one of these small LCD's apart...believe me, it's easier and cheaper to buy the whole thing than to try and locate/replace the CFFL's that go inside of it.
The model number of the LCD screen is...>>> Sharp LQ10D421
Click on photo below to enlarge if needed...>>>