Dim screen on laptop

Webmonkey

Model: Dell Inspiron 510m

Hi There,

I fixed a windows xp prob for a guy there a week back. Gave him back the laptop (working perfectly) and as soon as he goes home he discovered there was a problem with the screen.

It is very dull, you can barly make out what is on the screen.

I hooked it up onto a external monitor and the picture is pefect so doubt it a graphics card problem.

I done some research on the internet and it sounds like its a backlight problem. Any people know of a company in ireland that can repair these at a very reasonable price?

The guy obviously thinks I caused the problem as it wasn't working when he got it back so i'm really in a bad situation at the moment.

Anyone got any ideas?

Karoma

On AC or battery power?
Did you have it on battery power only before giving it back?

What was the previous issue with the laptop?

[strike]What make/model?[/strike] (I'm blind)


Get him to enter the BIOS Setup and see whether it's dim in there. If it is: plug in AC,unplug external devices, and Restore Defaults. If it's still knackered - it could be a number of things, the backlight being the prime suspect.

If it is OK in the BIOS: Get him to check the power settings (In control panel - and check whether there's manufacturer-specific settings/software or try Fn keys). Failing that, chance re-installing the video card driver and reboot. (At least it's not a hardware issue)

Bob the Builder

you helped me so I'll feel obliged to help you

glance along the "F" keys(F1, F2 etc) at the top of your keyboard. You may see a key(somewhere around F7/F8) with a blue logo of the Sun and an up arrow beside it.

Press FN(beside the space bar) and that key(make sure its an up arrow), it will brighten the screen.

p.s. if you can't find the key, press FN and the up key instead...hope this helps

Webmonkey

I have the laptop right in front of me here and i believe its a physical problem.

Did you have it on battery power only before giving it back?

I had it on battery for about 5 seconds before handing it back to take out a cd

What was the previous issue with the laptop?

Windows wouldn't start up, sorted that out. Totally seperate problem

What make/model?

As said above it is a Dell Inspiron 510m

Bios Setup is the same, every where it is dim. Except the second you turn it on for about a 1/4 of a second, the backlight lights and then goes dim from then on

Press FN(beside the space bar) and that key(make sure its an up arrow), it will brighten the screen.

Done all that and still no luck

Karoma

It sounds like a hardware fault alright.

Bob the Builder

So did you do a "system info" check on the laptop for the hardware?

EDIT: What make is it?(theres a reason for asking)

Karoma

nevf wrote:

EDIT: What make is it?(theres a reason for asking)

Model: Dell Inspiron 510m


I missed it as well.

tywy

just happened me with my Dell Latitude D505. your backlight is gone. no one in Ireland will attempt to replace it for you, it's too difficult. My uncle had a look at mine (he repairs comps for a living). He said there is nothing that can be done but buy a new LCD. A new LCD costs €500-600 (for mine anyway).

I ordered a new laptop on Saturday....sorry to tell you the outlook ain't good when the backlight goes

Webmonkey

Its a Dell Inpiron 510m. I'm almost 100% sure its hardware/physcial problem. Any of you know any guys that can replace backlights at a reasonable cost?

Bob the Builder

jazus, i'm an idiot...HP have tools out that diagnose the problem, that was my reason

EDIT: I had the problem before, except my suggestion up there fixed it. My family(and a technician) all thought it was a hardware fault, then i stumbled across that key

Webmonkey

I was messing around there, kinda lightly moving screen around and twisting it kinda, (obviously not enough to damage it) but for a brief second the light came on. This sounds to me like it could be the ribbion faulty/bad contacts but i can't seem to get it again

Bob the Builder

Webmonkey wrote:

I was messing around there, kinda lightly moving screen around and twisting it kinda, (obviously not enough to damage it) but for a brief second the light came on. This sounds to me like it could be the ribbion faulty/bad contacts but i can't seem to get it again

...Problem with the contact ribbon

majiktripp

Take off the keyboard from the laptop and check to see if all the connectors are firmly in place,shouldn't take much too check it and betterto know than not!.
To remove keyboard should be easy enough , check the net for disassembly guides for the 510M although I think from memory this is an american model dell?Has it a blue surround to the keyboard etc?