David_Dickson

My sister has given me her laptop to have a look at.
Its an acer Travelmate 242LC, the sticker on it says the screen is a 15" XGA TFT LCD.

The problem is that the screen is very dark. If you really peer at it, you can just make out the icons and stuff. The computer works as normal, apart from the display. Im presuming it should have some kind of backlighting which has failed.
I have taken it apart and nothing appears obviously broken, but i dont really know what Im looking for.
Any suggestions? is a new screen expensive? its out of warranty btw.

4X4BOB

I think you'll find that a resistor has gone.
Apparently there is a high power resistor for the backlight on the display.
I've had mine go twice, first time after 9 months so still under the 12 month warranty then again 6months later. Rang up about it and even tho out of warranty they still sent out a courier to pick up my laptop/repaired it/returned it by courier!

Bob

David_Dickson

hmmm, she lives in the back of beyond in the south of france, where she bought it. no-where local to get it sorted.
I have been given the task, but dont know where to start really.

It has a port on the back for an external monitor. when I plug mine in and boot up, it comes up with the XP welcome screen etc and all is fine, then it goes blank and the monitor goes to standby mode, im presuming this is a driver type of problem though, but cant see enough on the laptop screen to try any different settings.
Oh and everything is in french and the keyboard layout it different too, just to complicate things even further!

aurora

Have you got accidental damage cover on your house insurance?