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How-To Geek Forums / Windows Vista

(Solved) - Compter screen barely visible

(16 posts)
  • Started 8 months ago by piamia
  • Latest reply from Lighthouse
  • Topic Viewed 768 times

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piamia
Posts: 11

My sister has a Dell laptop with Vista OS. The screen suddenly went almost totally black yesterday for a while. Moved it and rebooted to see what would happen. It booted up fine and worked most of the day. Then it went dark again. Have tried booting it, moving & cursing it to no avail. It does seem to be working okay, just can't see it. Does she have a big problem? Any ideas of what can be wrong and/or how to repair it?

Thanks for any input.

Posted 8 months ago #
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GuiltySpark
GuiltySpark
Posts: 4024

Hi piamia ,

Welcome to HTG ,

Are you running it on Battery or Mains ?

Posted 8 months ago #
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Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 13598

What model is it, and how old ?

Posted 8 months ago #
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piamia
Posts: 11

Have tried both, same results. Even tried different wall plugs.

Posted 8 months ago #
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GuiltySpark
GuiltySpark
Posts: 4024

Go to Control Panel --- Power Options --- Adjust the Display Brightness --- Change Advanced Power Settings.

Posted 8 months ago #
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Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 13598

My above questions, plus have you tried plugging in an external monitor ?

Posted 8 months ago #
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piamia
Posts: 11

It's a Dell Inspiron 1525 bought August 2008

Posted 8 months ago #
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piamia
Posts: 11

Don't have an external monitor to plug into but my other sister has one we can try. I have already adjusted the brightness - set everything to Dell recommended.

Posted 8 months ago #
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Xhi
Xhi
Posts: 6298

It could very well be a loose cable caused in opening and closing. However checking that on a laptop is not for the feint of heart.

Posted 8 months ago #
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Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 13598

I think it may have an overheating screen inverter. But try the external monitor first.

Posted 8 months ago #
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piamia
Posts: 11

Okay, thanks - we'll try that first.

Posted 8 months ago #
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piamia
Posts: 11

Hooked it up to the monitor and it's working fine. So does that mean she needs a new screen inverter?

Posted 8 months ago #
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Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 13598

Very much sounds like it. They are not expensive (which country do you live in ?)

Posted 8 months ago #
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piamia
Posts: 11

Yep, found one on EBay, dirt cheap. She will order it and replace it. We found a site that explains (with pictures) exactly how to change it out. Hope it is as easy as it looks. We are in the US.

Thanks for all your help. We couldn't have found out the problem without this site. Put it in my Favorites... :-)

Posted 8 months ago #
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piamia
Posts: 11

Update on this. We got the screen inverter, replaced it using directions via a website and all is working again. Thanks to everyone for all the good information, we appreciate it very much.

Posted 4 months ago #
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Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 13598

That's good to hear :)

Posted 4 months ago #
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