LCD inverter or backlight bulb out

[area123]

I know the panel itself is good because I can see very faintly the desktop, it is just very dark. This happened all the sudden so that makes me think it isn't the backlight bulb, but maybe the inverter. But this is my first experience in these matters, so who knows.

Anybody know where I can find a descent price on one? It is a 2 year old hp zv5000 w/ 15.4" display.

Thanks, any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Kaido]

Did you ever experience flicker problems with the screen? This is a common problem on my line of laptops (eMachines m6805/m6809 & Gateway 7405gx etc.). It was a simple design problem - the wires would basically get pulled out of their seating connectors bit by bit over time. My solution was to tear the machine apart and hot glue the leads against the screen chassis. See here:

http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=135362

 

[area123]

No flicker ever. Just suddently happened.

But I found out a strange thing just now. When I push the screen close button real fast the screen flashes on quickly and off again. SO this makes me think something else is wrong besdes the bulb, possibly the inverter. I don't know what happens when that goes out.

Doesn't really sound like a loose connection if it comes on when I push the button, does it? But I will still check that out.

 

[area123]

Well, another mystery. When I push the switch up and down real fast, the lcd came on and stayed on. But I'm afraid to close the lcd again because maybe the switch is bad. But if that were so then wouldn't it hybernate if it thought the switch was closed, instead of just going black.

I'm beginning to think it could be a short in the inverter like you said. But now I have to figure out how to get this stupid thing apart.

Any other ideas are appreciated.

thanks