My laptop screen is VERY dim.  How can I tell if it's the backlight or the inverter?
342814
You would need to check with multimeter the outlet of the inverter. For it you will need to remove the frame around the panel. I would say there are possible at least 4 reasons for dim display. Lamp, inverter, inverter cable, or something wrong on the m/b. Lamp itself is supposed to go for 20 000 hours, so I would say not more than 20 % of lamp fault possibility. I would start with inverter and inverter cable - they are more likely to be faulty and not that expensive as lamp or m/b.
802471
Is there *absolutely* no power? No orange light even? Maybe the power outlet you're connecting it to is faulty.\n\nIf you're getting the orange light, it might be a video card problem.\n\n==============================================\nI hope you see this, because I couldn't email you because your ID isn't confirmed.\n---------------------------------------\nRe: No Power TO HD Monitor\n\nAh, i didn't read your question properly.\n\nCheck the power pins on you old monitor. The place where you plug in the power cable on your monitor.They might be covered in black sooty material if something blew up. \n\nOr maybe the fuse inside the monitor is blown. If you can open it up and check that out, and that IS the problem, you can get it fixed for a few $s. For less if you have the equipment and know how to solder.
732591
Try adjusting your display settings in Control Panel.
1135498
First look at the adaptor and get the output rating of the adaptor. It will also show a pictogram of the adaptor plug this shows what part is negative and positive at the laptop end). Look for a new adaptor that has the same rating (or extremely close) and the same pictogram of the plug.\n\nThe ones for the laptop may be quite expensive.\n\nAlso get the battery looked at, it may be faulty.
739998
it will be in your display settings under colour adjustment \nor some computers you can adjuct useing the keys just consalt your manual \nelse it may be the backlight that has failed if it is an lcd monitor
728231
Have you tried adjusting the brightness? There are buttons on your monitor. There should be one for exit, one for selection and two for scrolling. click the selection button, then use the scroll buttons to reach the thing that looks like a sun.. click the selection button again and then click the scroll button to move it brighter. then click the exit button. you may also have a dying monitor. is it a crt (fat bulky one) or an lcd (flat panel) one
1166586
Hopefully your laptop has a S-Video connection -- if it does, you can buy a special cable to do this.\n\nIt might want to just buy a new monitor, you can get a 15 inch cheap.
1036395
Look in your yellow pages for a computer technician, or send the laptop to dell for repair. It may not be the moniter, it could be a video card also.  Places like Best Buy or CompUSA seem reluctant to work on laptops.
159545
for Lap tops the biggest killer that's not a normally 'replaceable' part (batteries are replaceable....as are Hard drives, cd drives, floppy drives.....lol damn near everything lately !) is the LCD Backlight.  the Thin Film Transister LCD display back-light is the weakest part of a laptop....IMO.\n\n\nYou see LCD technology does not itself emit light. you either must have enough ambiant light to see, or it must be 'back-lit'.  The Technology formmerly used to do this was CCFL or Cold Cathode Forescent Lamp, these failed in 2 different ways as they aged.\n\n1. the light would get darker as it aged. Some would even change color therby messing-up the colors the display rendered.\n\nand\n\n2. As the bulb ages, it requires more and more power to engergize it.  Eventually it will reach a point where the amperage required to start the lamp, will exceed the capacity the circut it is on can provide and simply not light.\n\nIf you've ever seen this, or suspect that this is your problem (display won't light, or goes dark shortly after starting,) simply shine a bright light source directly into the display, you should see faintly whatever the desktop was diplaying at the time.....or your desktop if it never came on to begin with.\n\nCurrent Backlight technology uses white LED lights....far better.\nthe BEST ones use 3 LED lights....1 each of Red Blue and Green, much much better at displaying the full color spectrum.
839227
I have the same issue with mine, I am not sure of what can be done yet, as I have taken mine apart and checked all the connections / cables pertaining this this LCD problem. However,Your laptop can still work with an external monitor. So for a short term fix you need to acquire another monitor / LCD Monitors are reasonably priced now.\nUntil we find the real fix....
405861
There is an additional battery inside the case, did you replace it also? Could be that it actually is coming on and the contrast needs set. Try turning it on and while pressing the beta function key, press the up arrow.
21673
Your monitor might have a light meter built in to it (there's one on my laptop that can be switched off). This dims the screen in low light conditions, and brightens it when there's a lot of ambient light (it's supposed to save energy and make it easier on your eyes).\n\nTry exploring the menu and look for something like "eco sensor" or "ambient light balance".
19169
You are talking about an issue with your monitor?  If so, what kind is it, CRT or LCD.  If it is an LCD chances are the back light is about to fail.  You can replace the back light but you need to be good with a dremel tool and be good with handling sensitive electronic equipment.\n\nIn most cases it is just easier to buy a new monitor.
711735
Check the AV cable ( should be the blue ended cable that attaches to the Computer Tower)\n\nmake sure that is connected sercurely, Try moving the mouse, some monitors have a power saving feature where they will dim to save power...To turn this off \n\nControl Panel > Power Options > There should then be a box about power saving on the monitor un tick it.\n\nAlso if your using a flatscreen monitor chances are that it is backlighted...This could be an indication that your backlight is on it's way out and you may need to replace it.
600442
Sounds like the INI startup file is corrupt. Try putting your windows system CD in the CD drive and start your computer. Try starting the computer in safe mode. If you get it to turn on go directly to system restore. It could also be the screen lamp is burned out or broken.
421365
It depends what exactly is broken. If the backlight is broken, it can be replaced, or if the power inverter is bust, that can be replaced too.\nIf the screen itself is cracked, you can only replace it...\nHeres a site that may help:\nhttp://www.screentekinc.com/\nCheck your video card is working correctly by hooking an external monitor first, as this may be the problem
165497
give apple care / apple support number a call, it sounds like either the inverter for the TFT has gone that or your screen and I dont think you will have much luck in fixing it yourself ( best bet would be apple ) I heard someone mention today that it will cost £50 one off cost for a warranty ( that is 50 uk pounds btw ) which isnt bad considering a tft screen would cost more then that, short of that you can always buy the extended laptop cover they do which would be worth while if your laptop is about to run out of warranty or has ran out.