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General discussion

laptop screen does dim ? intermittent

by hanabata Jul 19, 2009 9:30AM PDT

Dell Inspiron 600

My laptop screen has started going intermittantly dark - I see it is still active, but can barely see it. Also the lower left corner of the screen is very hot.

Internet searches show the dark screen might be problems with the LCD backlight or the inverter. Does the hot lower left screen indicate either of these - is it easy & affordable to fix?

Where do I find more info about fixing and troubleshooting?

The machine is out of warranty.
Thanks,
Hanabata

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
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Define affordable.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 19, 2009 11:49AM PDT

Less than a new laptop? Usually.

If it is an inverter the shop minimum fee plus parts can easily top 200 or 300 but cheaper than a new laptop.

If you want to change it yourself, order that part and change it yourself.

Dell has diagrams at dell.com so I'll stop here.
Bob

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but what am I fixing? I'm not a geek!
by hanabata Jul 19, 2009 11:56AM PDT

I'm no techno-geek, but I'm willing to try a simple fix.

But - does it sound like the inverter or the LCD backlight? (I'm asking a "which one" not a "yes-no" question.) I wonder if the hot spot on the lower left screen is a helpful bit of information in troubleshooting this.

thanks!

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Straight up.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 19, 2009 12:15PM PDT

does it sound like the inverter or the LCD backlight?

-> Inverter.

Sure you could test it. Here's a link about it but given the price and that this is usually it 99 out of 100 plus times I never test it.
Bob

PS. Link about test ->
http://www.fonerbooks.com/test.htm

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