lcd is extremely dim

[Slvrtg277]

The screen started flickering periodically, then grew somewhat dim. Now it's so dark that I can hardly tell what's on the screen, but it's not completely black as to have completely stopped working.

Experts: Is this a sign of a bad lcd or maybe just a bad cable/connection?

Thanks.

 

[ai42]

It is either a failed inverter board, or a failed cathode. The TFT is still showing the image (that is why you can read/see the picture) but the backlight is dead. It can be fixed most likely but a professional shop would likely have to do it.

If it is the inverter that is easy to replace (in relative terms of laptop repair), but if the cathode is dead it might be able to remove the cathode and replace it (given a fair bit of precision work), or they might just say it's cheaper to replace the entire LCD (with a new cathode of course).

 

[IncredibleHutch]

I've seen this problem a few times with the Dell D600 series. It's been in my case a lose ribbon cable between the motherboard and the lcd screen which is fairly easy to get fixed.

 

[OdiN]

Yup inverter or cathode. However....most likely it's the inverter. It could be a cable connection problem as well. Take it to your local repair shop that works on these things if you aren't comfortable working on it yourself.

 

[1kayaker]

Incredible Hutch...Semper Fi, Marine. Keep up the good work. I feel my wife and kids are safe with devil dogs like you takin' up slack after I got out.

Who is a good supplier for these parts. I have a Dell LCD 17" monitor doing exactly the same thing.

 

[WackyDan]

have you tried FN+home or end to adjust the screen brightness up? May not be a technical problem.... many people don't know about those controls...... or pay attention to them.