Re: Laptop Screen Dims !?!
Could be the inverter, or the actual backlight itself. I've seen one go on a Toshiba laptop at work.
We just replaced the whole laptop, much easier and although it wouldn't have been due for a replacement otherwise, it was a couple of years old.
Re: Laptop Screen Dims !?!
sounds very much like the inverter, a pretty easy fix and you will probably be able to get on off of ebay for £10-£15 just make sure you get the right one
Re: Laptop Screen Dims !?!
agree with the above posts, its not often the lamp.
Re: Laptop Screen Dims !?!
Thanks guys. Pretty much the conclusion I had muddled my way to (not having much experience of laptops :)).
He doesn't have the cash to buy a replacement so I think I'll try the repair with a used inverter.
Re: Laptop Screen Dims !?!
see if you can google the destruction book to get the screen cover off, otherwise look for all the screws (and covers) then use a credit card to pop the lid open
Re: Laptop Screen Dims !?!
Just thought I'd update you guys on this and ask for more advice....
The replacement inverter arrived today. It was a fairly easy job to replace....but...switched on and the problems are still there. :(
Anybody have an other ideas, or can it only really be the lamp now? Could a lamp failure be intermittent like this?
Thanks.
Re: Laptop Screen Dims !?!
check theres voltage going in and out the inverter, if there is then it could be the lamp, or even the lid switch !
Re: Laptop Screen Dims !?!
It sounds like the switch is playing up - its easy to test with a multimeter :)
Re: Laptop Screen Dims !?!
Okay, now I'm going to look a right dope. :mrgreen: ....I've never used a multimeter before :embarrassed: but I can get hold of one easily right now. Anyone have a good link for a crash course?
If I posted a pic of the switch, would one of you guys be able to tell me how to go about it. Or am I best taking it in to a shop for repair? (I would rather learn how to use a multimeter though!!)
Thanks guys
Re: Laptop Screen Dims !?!
use dc volatage to check the cable going from the laptop to the inverter, start at the 12v and if it hits a solid 1 up the multimeter to 120-240v and check again (you wont blow it up)
the output to the lamp should be AC, same again start low and step up if it hits 1
Re: Laptop Screen Dims !?!
Easier way - set the Multimeter to continuity / resistance mode.
Put one side on the switch input, and the other on the output. Toggle the switch and it should change when being pressed.
If it changes when you're not pressing it, you've got your issue :)
Re: Laptop Screen Dims !?!
Could possibly be the cable. Does the backlight go off & on when the cable is manipulated at all?
Re: Laptop Screen Dims !?!
Just had a chance to test this (way too busy at the moment !)
Right, did as you said Agent, placed one side on the input wire, the other on the output.
Display went from 1 to 000 then after a few seconds up to about 1200, moved around a bit, went to -514 (ish) then back to 000 and repeated every few secs (all without me toggling the lid switch). It also changes when I toggle the switch.
So I guess that it IS the switch that is knackered ?
Only problem now is getting a replacement. I can see the plastic toggle bit on eBay, but none of the electrics to go with it :(
Re: Laptop Screen Dims !?!
remove said switch and bridge the wires, cheap repair but the laptop wont respond to the lid being closed. at least it will tell you for sure if thats the issue