Backlight on Laptop TFT works for 3 seconds, then shuts off

[dao504]

Hi, my mom's laptop was previously working perfectly, but yesterday the backlight started going off for no reason. When the laptop is opened, the backlight comes on as normal (at its full brightness no less), but only for about 3 seconds- then it goes black. This problem occurs everywhere (Windows, DOS, CMOS config, etc.) and can be repeated every time by closing it and opening it again.

Doing a cold boot remedied the problem yesterday, but the problem reappeared today with no resolution.

It seemed to me like the laptop thinks it's closed when it's really not, but I just changed a setting in CMOS to keep the display lit when the lid is closed, and the problem still occurs.

So in short, what could cause this and what would you all suggest as a solution?

In case it matters, the laptop is an NEC Versa SX PII-266 with 14" TFT and ATI Rage Pro 2mb video.

Thanks!

 

[Harvey]

I hope it is still in the warranty period. It sounds like something in the backlight, or the power circuit that drives it, is failing.

 

[dao504]

Thannks for the reply, but unfortunately the laptop is rather old (P2-266mhz) and is no longer under warranty.

Has anyone had a similar problem and can tell me how to fix it?

thanks

 

[Harvey]

Time to call your local repair place for a quote. If it costs more than it's worth, it's over.

 

[LiLithTecH]

Are you sure that it wasn't inadvertently switched to External monitor (Press Fn+3 once or twice)?