DISPLAY PROBLEMS

I doubt it's a connection problem. I think I would look first at replacing the LCD.

Plug up an external monitor to the video connection in the back of the laptop, most Dells have them. Then it is usually the key combo of Fn-F8 to toggle back in forth from monitor to lcd. (don't know which model you have). If the monitor doesn't work, your problem may be with the lappy's video card circuit.

My guess is that the external monitor will display fine. If so, your problem is with the backlight in your laptop display. This is provided power from the inverter (a small circuit board on the side or bottom edge of the display screen). You could have a bad inverter (usually an easy, cheap fix, just swap out the inverter for a replacement one off ebay), a loose connection of the video flex cable to the inverter (even easier), or a burned out backlight bulb (bad news, can be replaced by a technician but is an expensive fix).

So, plug up an external monitor to be sure the problem is with the lcd screen (backlight), then open up the laptop display plastics and find the inverter and video flex cable. Replacement of the screen is a last resort

Message Edited by williem on 05-02-200608:31 AM