Sony Laptop - Repair Dead/Feint Screen

Hi guys,

Got our kid's Sony Vaio VGN-A117S laptop, it's a 17" wide screen X-black display, which currently doesn't work.

Putting it in cloned-view display on an external monitor, can see a very dark, very feint outline of say a window as you drag it around the screen.

Looks like whatever lamps power the display aren't working, I believe it may be down to something called "inverters" - rather than a whole new screen.

So - anyone have any experience of this? Can you DIY or is it a repair shop - if so any good recommendations in the North West?

Help & advice much appreciated.