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Inspiron 5100 - Lid Close Sensor turns off backlight (hence Black Screen)
I have an Inspiron 5100, with an apparent black screen. On closer inspection though, it's the backlight that's going off, if I look carefully, I see information on the screen, and the video is just fine, via an external monitor. I suppose it's safe to say I helped this problem begin, because the computer did spend a few hours in the trunk on a cold night in Florida (45 degrees).. it was fine before, started acting up after this.
I can also turn the screen back on for a few moments either by closing the lid and reopening it, or by running a magnet over the sensor... (on this machine, it's not a pin switch, it's a magnet inside the top of the window bezel, about 40 percent of the way over from the left latch-hook, 60 percent of the way from the right latch hook, that activates a magnetic switch in the corresponding position down at the base, below the touchpad).
So, I can reliably get the LCD back for a bit, I know the screen is capable of working, and I know (well, I'm pretty sure) that it's the Magnetic Lid Close Sensor. It's not likely a heat problem, because this happens pretty quickly, even starting up first thing.
The next question is, how do I fix it... I've found several postings about this problem, but no permanent fix yet. Any ideas? (I'll probably take a stab at vacuuming it, running a stronger magnet over the switch, then disassembling it, to see if there's a chance of fixing it, in that order)
(INcidentally, if any Dell advocates are reading this, my company has the following: (How do you pronounce Lenovo?)
- Dell 5160 number 1 - pink vertical line through display;
- Dell 5160 number 2 - USB ports don't work
- Dell 5160 - number 2 also - Has a new hard drive because the old one died)
- Dell 5160 (A third one) - Running on a new HD, original one died;
- Dell 5100 (from this posting), Lid Close Sensor busted
I know laptops have a hard life and shorter life expectancy, but this is getting ridiculous...
dageezerus
3.9K Posts
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December 11th, 2006 20:00
johnxtampa
21 Posts
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December 12th, 2006 12:00
dageezerus
3.9K Posts
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December 13th, 2006 01:00
johnxtampa
21 Posts
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December 14th, 2006 14:00
leboeufandr
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January 27th, 2008 20:00